The herald., 1898-12-24
ORIENTAL INTERESTS
ENOUGH TO NEED
LOOKING AFTER
THE YOSEMITE GOES TO GUAM
While the Armed Collier Abarenda
Will Keep the Germans From
Stealing Samoa
Associated Press Special Wire.

NEW YORK, Dec. pa special to the
Tribune from Washington says:
i The Importance of American interests In
the Pacific ocean, which has notably been
increased by Dewey's victory at Manila and
the assumption by the United States OF aug
mented responsibilities in consequence, has
received significant recognition from the
Navy Department in the issue OF orders to
carry out plans which have been carefully
matured in the last few weeks, with view
to maintaining absolutely the political geog-
raphy of that vast ocean as it exists at the
present time and to prevent any further
accessions of territory by European powers
~ the tracks OF American commerce or
| along the lines OF communication between
the United States and its more slant pos
sessions.
| Perhaps the official action of greatest
moment relates to the auxiliary cruiser Yo-
semitic, which has left Norfolk Navy Yard
ior Manila via the Suez canal. The Yosem-
ite will sail under orders to remain at Guam
to protect that island against any unfriend-
ly lncurslon. The seizure OF this island
during the war and its acquisition under
the treaty of Paris by the United States
may prove to be the result OF remarkable
1ar-sightedness on the part OF the naval ad
vsors OF the President, as it practically
commands the Caroline archipelago, being
between few hundred miles OF the ex-
treme limits OF that group.
The strategic value OF the 1osemite's sta
tion at Guam is therefore manifest and is
calculated to prevent any change of SOW
ereignty over the Caroline Islands without
the cordial consent of the United States,
especially as Dewey's squadron at Manila
will be rather augmented than reduced in
strength in the course OF few weeks. =.
Another important order which has been
issued provided for loading the collier Abar-
enda at Norfolk with the best quality of
Pocahontas coal and for the departure of
that vessel about January | for Samoa via
the Straits of Magellan, a voyage of over
10000 nautical miles. The Abarenda will
lie IN the harbor of Pago Pago, which is
owned by the United States, doing duty as
i station ship, until the arrival there next
spring OF the contractors and material for
the coaIng establishment to be erected by
this government at a cost of 100000
he Abarenda will be armed and fully
able to give good account of herself if the
serenity OF the Samoan group is too severely
strane by German interference. She will
be only 2000 miles from Honolulu. where
the Oregon and the Iowa are to rendezvous,
and these battleships can join her at any
time with the certainty of securing coal for
4 return voyage from her bunkers The
lack OF coal at Samoa has hitherto been the
chief objection to sending high powered
war vessels there to protect American inter-
ests.
Another order bearing on the situation in
the Ia enc has been prepared to be sent to
the special squadron when il arrives at Cal
lao, in directing the distilling shin Iris To
proceed directly to Manala. Before starting
on this voyage she will take Il full comple-
nent OF fuel from the other colliers of the
hrst squadron, enabling them to hurry on
20 San francisco with the Iowa, while the
Oregon and the Celtic continue their vow
age to Honolulu /
Before the end of January the Hawaiian
Islands will become a strong base Of na,-ni
strength and in conjunction with the etiec.
tive forces at Manila and San Francisco
VIII e1ectWllly command the entire Pacific
ocean.
NAVAL POSITIONS
On Christmas day Rear Admiral Dewey
viii become the ranking officer in active
.eryiee OF the United States Navy. Rear
Auiiilral bGnce, commandant OF the navy
'ard, now holds that &ace but as he has
cached the age limit, he will, while still |
'enaluing commandant OF the yard until his
successor Is appointed, be officially retired
. When the order from Washington reached
Rear Admiral Bunce that he continue in
in the yard until relieved by the
ppointment OF his successor, it created
NN"i VI So'SiP tue Navy ara OIuD
md among the officers on the ships.
A few days ago, although Rear Admiral
Schley had asked for sea duty, and it was
generally believed that he would command
he squadron of the European station, un-
'ttieial inforpation came from Washington
nat he would be named as commandant of
he New York Navy Yard
But now it is believed among the officers
n the yard that the officials in Washington
Iave decided To await the arrival of Rear
ADMIRAL SAMPSON. at present on his way
home from Cuba, before definitely determ-
nglng upon the more important assignment
made necessary by the retirement Of Rear
admiral Bunce.
1t is believed by the friends of Rear Ad-
nlral Schley that this waiting upon the
Measure OF Admiral Sampson is the result
II the controversy that has been carried on
~ the men. 1t is not known what Samp-
on wants, but it is believed in the ward
hat he neither desires that Schev 90 to
europe nor take command of the New York
Navy Yard.
1t is known that Schley prefers to 90 to
he European station, and yet the officers !
lie sure that he has recently beer booked
o succeed Bunce in the navy yard here. Rear
Admlral Simpsons wishes probably will ,
Ietermlne, they say, the assignments of ali
he officers except Admiral Dewey, and the ,
'rotests or desires OF the others will be of no
vail. nv ,
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