The Lamar register., 1898-12-28
TAKES WAKE ISLAND.
1T is NEEDED FOR a CABLE STA
TION.
General Otis Told to Capture IIoiio In
Order to Rescue the BeIeaguered Span
iards.

iutnt ndS ~ tht hd6
over an island far out in the Pacific
ocean and orders were sent out late
this afternoon to the commander of
the Bennington, Captain Taussig, TO
proceed Mt once to take possession in
the name of the United States govern
ment of Wake island, lying in lati-
tude 10 north, longitude 166 east.
1t is distant about 1000 miles from
Nihau. the westernmost of the Hawaii
an islands, and 1,30O miles east from
Guam. 1t is almost in direct line
between these possessions of the
United States and is admirably adapt
ed for use as station for Pacific
cable to connect the Philippines with
Hawaii and the United States. 1t is
about three miles in length and incloses
lagoon of salt water. The average
height of the island is eight feet above
high tide. 1t is scarcely capable in
itself of sustaining life. but 1t is ex-
pected that cable station can be
maintained without difficulty by the
erection of n condenser TO supply fresh
water
Some station in this locality Is
deemed to be absolutely necessary to
the maintenance of cable and for
that reason the American Peace COM
missioners at Paris endeayored TO Sc
cure one OF the Caroline islands, but
without success. Wake island is said
TO be already American territory, for
in 1851 Admiral Wilkes surveyed the
place and asserted title. 1t is not in
habited so far as known at the present
time. though in the past some guano
gatherers have temporarily lived on
the island.
The Bennington Is now at Honolulu,
and the orders to her will 30 out by
steamer. After hoisting the flag on
Wake island she will proceed to Guam
and make the survey. of the island,
which was ordered some time ago. She
has already completed survey of
Pearl harbor, seven miles from Homo
lulu. which Will form the foundation
of the government plans for the en-
largement of the harbor there and the
Strengthening of the channel connect
ing the inner harbor with the ocean.
The auxiliary cruiser Yosemite will
be dispatched about January LIST from
Norfolk to the Ladrone islands, via
Suez canal Commander George +.
Ide of the Yosemite will sail under or
ders to hold his vessel mt Guam as sta
tlon ship, and while there to be con-
stantly prepared to protect the island
of Guam against any unfriendly incur
sion.
The stragetic value OF the Yosemlte's
SlutlOu Nrustul IL llillltst. anu Is
culated to prevent any change of SOW
ereignty over the Caroline islands
without the cordial consent of the
tsnited States. especially as Dewey's
squadron at Manila will be rather aug
mented than reduced in strength in the
course of few weeks.
Another important order which mas
been issued provided for loading the
collier Abarenda at Norfolk with the
best quality of Pocahontas coal md
for the departure of that vessel about
January list for Samoa. via Straits of
Magellan. voyage of over 10000
nautical miles. The Abarenda will lie
in the harbor of Pago-Pago, which is
owned by the United States, dong
duty as station ship until the ar
rival there next spring of the contrac-
tors and material for the coaling estab-
lishment to be erected by this govern
ment at a cost of 100000.
The Abarenda will be armed and full
ly able to give good account of her
self If the serenity of the Samoan
group is too severely strained by Ger
man Interference. She will be only g.
600 miles from Honolulu, where the
Oregon and the Iowa are to rendez-
vous. and those battleships can join her
at any time with the certainty of Sc
curing coal for n return voyage from
her bunkers. The lack of coal at Sa-
moa has hitherto been the chief objec-
ton to sending high-powered war YES
sells there to protect American inter
ests.
Denver, Dec. PA special from
Washington. to the News says:
The secretary of war has cauIed
General Otis to send troops to seize
and occupy Iloilo. This action was
taken after conference with the
President
Iloilo is the scene of the butchery of
numbers of practically unarmed Flip
pinos by Spanish regulars, as told in
the Journals special cable to-day from
Madrid, which was printed in The
News.
Secretary Alger declined to state
how many troops have been ordered to
go. There are four or more trans
ports at Manila. each capable of car
rying at least 600 troops. 1t is the
understanding that the troops would
move at the first opportunity after the
receipt of the orders cabled this after
noon.
The transports can reach Iloilo from
Manila in thirtysix hours. On the ar
rival of the Americans the Spaniards
are expected to surrender the post, as
was done at Manila.