The record-union., 1898-01-17
GENERAL SCH0FIELD TALKS.
RESENTS BEING PLACED IN A
FALSE POSITION.
Says He Has Always Regarded An
nexation, as a Public
Necessity.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 16. Among
documents being sent out by the anti
annexation lobby, which is flooding
Congresmen with pamphlets, is one en-
titled Hawaiian annexation scheme "a
sugar trust plot) exposed by General
Schofield" In fact, there is nothing
in the pamphlet which was written by
General Schofeld except a short alb
stract from a report written by Scho-
field In 1873, in which he said many
planters then favored annexation that
they might get their sugar in free, that
being three years before the reciproc-
ity treaty was framed. Schofield then
was reporting upon his examination OF
Pearl harbor. General Schofield resents
the apparent endeavor to place him III
a false position, for he is an ardent
annexationist.
A letter from the General to Senator
Morgan received to-day shows how the
former head of the army feels. He says
in part. From the time, twenty five
years ago, when 1 made a personal ex-
animation for the purpose of ascertain
ing the value of those islands to this
country for military and naval pur-
poses, have always regarded the ulti-
mate annexation OF the islands to this
country as a public necessity. l have
likeaed Pearl harbor to commanding
position in front of a defensive line
which an army in the field is compelled
to occupy. The army must occupy that
advanced position and hold it, atwhat-
ever cost, or else the enemy will occupy
it with his artillery and thus dominate
the E.ain line.
If we do not occupy and fortify
Pearl River harbor our enemy will oc-
cupy it as a base from which to con-
duct operations against our Pacific
Coast and the Nicaragua Canal, which
must, of course, in due time be con-
structed and controlled by this coun-
try. The possession of such base at
a convenient distance from our Pa
cific Coast would be great tempta-
ton to an unfriendly nation to under
take hostile operations against the
United States.
One of the greatest advantages of
Pearl River harbor to the United
States consists in the fact that no navy
would be required toi defend It, 1t is
deep, land-locked arm of the sea,
easily defended by Notifications placed
near its mouth, with its anchorage be-
yond the reach of guns from the
ocean Cruisers or other war ships
which might be overpowered at sea,
as we'll as merchant vessels. would find
there, behind land defenses. absolute
security against a naval attack A
moderate garrison of regular troops,
with the militia of the island, would
give sufficient protection against any
landing parties from hostile feet
''Of course, an army on transports,
supported by a powerful fleet, could
land ard capture the place But that
would be an expensive operation: one
much less likely to be undertaken than
the occupation of an undefended har-
Dor. as a necessary preliminary to an
attack on our coast or upon our COM
merce. The value of such a place OF
refuge and Of supplies for our mer-
chant marine and our cruisers in time
of war can hardly be overestimated.
Yet the greatest value to us of that
wonderful harbor consists in the fact
that is position and adequate defense
by the United States prevents the pos
sibility of any enemy using it against
the country"