New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-11
New-York. February !. 1898.
THE DEFENCE OF HAWAII.
MARES NEST or THE ANTI ANNEXATIONIsTs-
WHY THE ISLANDS WOULD BE A
SOURCE OF STRENGTH.

MARES NEST or THE TI-ANNEXATIoNIsrs-
WHY THE ISLANDS WOULD BE
SOURCE OF STRENGTH.
To the Editor OF The Tribune
Sir Much comment made on Wednesday last
on a letter OF Captain Mahan's on the subject OF
the Hawaiian Islands. which had been read in
Washington In the Senate by Senator Kyle of
South Dakota In the course OF the debate on the
Hawaiian annexation treaty In crIticislng Captain
Mahan's letter the position taken by some
papers that the Islands would in way aid in the
defence OF the Pacific seaboard but would rather
n positive detrlment they would require defence
themselves and Of the ships that might be avaia-
BILE 10 defend San Francisco a certain proportion
would always have to be detached for the protec-
ton OF Hawaii. and the coast Of California would
in consequence be 80 much the weaker. That such
n View Of the matter Is not wholly true is shown
by the opinions OF the naval experts OF the world
who unanimous IN believing that the Sandwich
Islands the key TO the Pacific Ocean, and OF
enormous strategcsl value.
The islands are situated almost IN the centre Of
the Pacific. and equ,dstant from the northern and
middle ports Of all adjacent countries. This group
OF Islands lies about two thousand miles from San
Francisco. and there no other islands save
these to break the space OF waters known as
the North Pacific Ocean The Sandwich Islands
would. therefore. aid in the defence Of the west
erp eeaboard. In that they would afford an outly-
ing port for either defence attack and as n
basis or naval operations II would be "A compare
lively simple matter TO protect them as only
one given point do they need defence viz the
harbor OF Honolulu Land batteries and fortfcn-
tons could there be built strong enough TO insure
the safety Of this port. while in OF attack with
cable connection with San Francisco. the warshps
lying In that harbor could reach Honolulu within
five days. The enemy, with this port In our hands
could have It's base OF opera lions within less
than four thousand miles OF our coast, and i'm this
particular the advantage of the group to this coun-
As sG With ise 70 port In the centre of the
Pacific. II would be unnec 'ssary for cruisers
and hat le-sh q q 10 goal
for supplies. and the value OF our Pacific fleet
would be greatly enhanced and the amount of
space over which II could operate largely increased
Land batteries rs effectively protect a port
from attack as the Intervention OF warships and
I tho harbor could he made strong enough 10 care
for Itself With this point impregnahle tho
Islands and their value remain ours. as a country
h not conquered until It's fortified places have
fallen.
| have only attempted TO touch on the points
raised by these comments and have not vcntured
the wider neld Of annexation being contrary TO
the Monroe policy and the sentiments Of our for
bears. which are matters already ably treat ted Of
by your paper but In this connection cannot help
quoting a remark mnde 10 recently nv one ~
the japanese officers I'm this country IN
charge OF the cruiser which the Cramps build
ing for Japan: WHY you take long n time o
annex Hawaii. eh7 Japan would Ike TO have your
New-York Feb TO- 1904