The herald., 1898-05-28
AGAINST THE USE OF NEUTRAL
BASE OF SUPPLIES
ANNEXATION OF THE ISLANDS
Is Considered by Naval Experts as
Absolutely Necessary to occupa-
ton of the Philippines
Press Special Wire


mcnt in allowing the United States to make
Honolulu base of supplies and naval
operations In the Pacific.
Your correspondent is informed on the
highest authority that two European gov
ernments-France and Germany-through
their Consular representatives in Homo
lulu, have taken action which is construed
to indicate their displeasure at the course
OF Hawaii. They have not entered any
formal protest. but have inquired Of the
Hawaiian government what its attitude
would be during the war.
What reply, If any, the Hawaiian govern
ment made to this inquiry, is not yet known
in Washington. 1t is known, however, that
the government of the islands will not
maintain neutrality, but will allow the
United States to use its territory and har-
bor at Honolulu as freely as If they were
part Of the United States.
By SO doing, the Hawaiian government
assumes the position Of being practically
an ally of the United States and takes upon
itself full responsibility for this attitude.
AS far as Is known here, the Spanish Con-
sui in Honolulu still maintains his rela-
tons with President Doles government,
but when the cruiser Charleston and trans
provisions at Honolulu, it is believed he
will protest emphatically against it and,
upon his protest being disregarded, will
sever his connection with the government
and demand his passports.
President Mckinley realizes that If the
Spanish Consul should be joined in his pro-
tests by the representatives of other Eur
opean governments there would be grave
-,x.1t l.
this reason the President is more than ever
anxious that Congress should lose no time
In formally annexing the Islands to the
United States, SO as to give Spain and the
other nations of Europe no ground on
which to base their protest.
President Mckinley has been strongly
urged to take possession of the islands as
military necessity, and if Congress was
not in session, 1t is probable he would do
so. He is reluctant to take such action,
however, while Congress is in session and
while the question of annexation is pend
ang in that body.
The military necessity exists, however,
and the administration will avail itself of
the privileges granted by the Hawaiian
government to use the islands as military
and naval base.
There is no escape for doing so in fact,
and but for the facilities for coaling and
provisioning the vessels and the trans
ports at Honolulu, the administration
would practically be compelled to abandon
the Philippines and call Rear Admiral
Dewey home, regardless of the fact that
by SO doing 1t would leave a condition of
affairs in the Orient that would be practi-
callly certain to bring on European war.
SPANS power in the Philippines is
broken. Admiral Dewey and his fleet rep
resent the supreme authority there now
Should they be withdrawn a condition Of
affairs would exist which would lead to
landing of forces by the warships of Euro
pean powers. Clashes of authority would
ensue and conflict might break out
which would involve all Europe
This being the case. the administration
must reinforce Admiral Dewey, and in do
ing so the Hawaiian Islands must be used
as base of supply.
Some of the Presidents military and
naval advisers-among them, it is said.
Lieut.. Gen. John M. Schofied, retired, have
urged that he should go step further and
should hurry out large force of troops to
Honolulu on smaller vessels which could
not make the longer trip between Honolulu
and Manila, so that upon the return of the
first transports from Manila to Honolulu
they could carry out second detachments
of men without returning all the way to
San francisco, thus saving about three
weeks on the round trip.
This plan would be adopted without
doubt If the islands had already been an
nexed and the desirability of its adoption
Is being strongly urged on Congress as an
argument for immediate annexation,
Opponents of annexation in Congress
have been able thus far to prevent any
action and they are confident they will be
able to force an adjournment, although
there is substantial majority for an
nexation In each House.
Speaker Reed still persists in his oppo-
sition and will not make any promises as
to when he will allow the resolution to
come up or whether he will allow it to he
considered at all. An effort has been made
by some of the Senators who are opposed
to annexation to reach an agreement with
Senators who favor 1t by which the war
revenue bill is to reach an early vote. on
the understanding that the annexation
matter Ii not to be brought up at this ses
sion.
Senator Davis, Senator Lodge. and other
leading anneXationists. insist that the
matter shall be brought up, and they will
try to make an arrangement with the ma
jority In the House favorIng annexation
whereby the House will refuse to agree to
adjournment until the Hawaiian matter is
disposed of.
The First Step Taken
WASHINGTON, May 27.-The Hawaiian
annexation question which has been the
subject of no little concern about the Ser
ate for the past few days, assumed definite
shape in the Senate today, when Senators
Lodge and Morgan offered amendments to
the War Revenue bill bearing directly upon
the subject. Senator Lodges amendment
II In the words Of the Newland's resolution.
and provided In direct terms for the an
nexation of the islands Senator Lodge
was seen Immediately after he had sent his
amendment to the desk and announced II
to be his purpose to press the amendment
TO the end.
"Henceforth." said he, 1.-The two meas
ures muat travel together. Both are equal