Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-02-10

Details of the letter written by Captain
Mahan of the navy to Senator Kyle in
reference to the strategic Importance Of
Hawaii have appeared. The case of an
nexation becomes stronger with each sur
vey of the reasons that, from a military
point Of view, go ts show the vast i'm
portance OF these islands to the United
States Senator Kyle had submitted four
specific questions. Captain Mahan indi-
Gated that categorical answers were diff
cult to frame, but in response along the
separate lines Of inquiry he advanced the
following clear opinions:
From a military point of view the pos
session of Hawaii will strengthen the
United States. OF course, as is constantly
argued, every addition of territory is an ad-
d1tlonal exposed point; but Hawaii is now
exposed to pass under foreign domination
notably Japan-by a peaceful process of
overrunning and assimilation. This will
inevitably involve its possession by for
eign power-a grave military danger to US
against which preoccupation by the United
States is, in my Judgment, the only Sc
curity.
"A greater navy would not be needed for
the defense of the Pacific coast than would
be required with the islands unannexed.
If we have the islands, and in the Pacific
fleet OF proper force, the presence of the
latter, or of adequate detachment from
it, at the Hawaiian Islands, will materially
weaken if not wholly cripple any attempted
invasion of the Pacific coast except from
British Columbia), and consequently will
proportionately strengthen US. With a fleet
of the same size, and Hawaii unoccupied
by either party, the enemy would at least
be in a better position to attack US; while
if he succeeded in establishing himself in
any of our coast anchorages he would be
far better off For, in the latter case, the
islands would not menace his communica-
lions with home; which they would do if in
our possession, because Hawaii TANKS the
cOmmunica tons.
1T is obvious, also, that If we do not hold
the islands ourselves we cannot expect the
neutrals in the war to prevent the other
beiligerent from occupying them; nor can
the inhabitants themselves prevent such
occupation. In short, in war We should
need a larger navy to defend the Pacific
coast, because We should have not only to
defend our own coast, but to prevent, by
naval force, an enemy from occupying the
islands; whereas, If we had preoccupied
them, fortihcations could preserve them to
US.
1T is not practicable for any trans-Pacitic
country to invade our Pacific coast with
out occupying Hawaii a base.
r Goal can be transported in golfers, but
as yet it cannot be transshiped at sea with
either rapidity or certainty. Even II 1t be
occasionally practicable to coal at sea, the
process is slow and uncertain. Reliance
upon such means only is, in my judgment,
impossible. A base must be had, and.
except the IortS of our own coast, there is
none to be named alongside of Hawaii
In short, in the judgment of this excellent
authority, Hawaii is point of danger as
long as it stands apart from this Union.
Its annexation would be one of the most
economical methods of guarding against
invasion from the west Annexation would
not only interpose stubborn barrier to an
enemy. but it would not add in the least
to the burden upon the people.