The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-06
HAWAIPS OFFER TO US.
IL is Said We May Use the Islands as a
War Base

HONOLULU. VIA SAN FRANCISCO.
MAY 4-President Dole has sent n long
communication to President Mckinley
Offering to transfer the Hawaiian Islands
to the United States for the purposes OF
its war with Spain. and to furnish Amer
lean ships of war in Pacific waters with
coal and supplies. This action was taken
by the Executive after a conference or
the Hawaiian Cabinet called TO discuss
the position 10 be assumed by the gov
eminent toward the two belligerents.
The news of the declaration Of war
by the United States against Spain was
received here to-day by the Mariposa.
President Dole called secret session of
the Cabinet TO discuss the situation. FL
nance Minister Damon proposed that n
proclamation OF neutrality be issued. but
this was so strongly opposed by Presi-
dent Dole and other members OF the Cab
met that il was withdrawn.
After the adjournment OF the Cabinet.
President Dole prepared communication
10 President Mckinley which he forward
ed on the Mariposa, for transmission
through the Hawaiian Legation at Wash
ington. The public and Senate which IL
now I'm session has not been informed Of
this proposition.
II is believed by many that the annexa-
United States will be the direct result of
the war The streets are filed with ru-
mors to-day. and the sole topic is the
probability OF the passage OF the anneXa-
ton treaty at Washington as war
measure.
SAN FRANCISCO. May 4-Hawaiian
Consul Wilder refuses TO talk about the
alleged despatch said 10 have been re-
ceivcd by him and forwarded 10 Wash
ington. but it IS known here that he re-
ceivcd a bulky package and sent dts
patches 10 Washington late last night.
He also mailed 10 Dole on to-1ays
steamer long letter giving suggestions
on the course which he thought the Ha-
waiian government should pursue. On
this he said:
II advised President Dole 10 throw
open the ports TO American ships and TO
let vessels coal and make their base
there. The Islands, as base, would be
OF great benefit 20 American ships. l
have no right 10 advise Mr.. Dole, but as
1 am in a position 10 oserve what IS
for the best interests OF Hawaii, | offered
this suggestion. 1 also advised President
Dole not 70 declare neutrality"
WASHINGTON, May 4.-The informa-
ton coming from Honolulu that President
Dole has sent 10 President Mckinley a
communication Offering to transfer the
Hawaiian Islands TO the United States
was not unexpected in Washington. The
statement was published In the sun sew
eral days ago that the Mckinley adj
minstration had paved the way for the
action of the Hawaiian Legislature upon
which President Doles communication
is evidently based. There Is general
sentiment in Congress favorable to the
acceptance OF the offer, and when II IL
formally received It is probable that inc
President VIII send TO Congress a mes
sage recommending the passage or Dill
granting authority 20 him 10 act. Al the
state Department It is said that no IN
formation has been received except IN
nevsnaner dispatches. and Minister
Hatch Of Hawaii. says that he Is om-
cialiy uniformed on the subject. lie
adds. however. that tho Hawaiian Consui
al san Francisco viii send full informs-
ton upon the arrival OF the steamer TO-
morrow.
1t is probable that at tomorrow maA'-