New-York tribune., 1899-12-17

ttempt several years ago to purchase the Gala
agos group as an appendage OF the DE Lesseps
Panama Canal until Ecuador became dsgusted
with the cheapness OF the French proposition
NO OFFERS ENTERTAINED.
The Lodge resolution has, however given the
authorities an opportunity 10 sound Ecuador on
the subject and learn that no offers for the ISLANDS
are nj present under consideration, nor are any
likely to be entertained. Ecuador Is hrIn adVo-
rate OF the Monroe Doctrine and has hgh scruples
era,nst the partition Of any territory under her
sovereignty. although she would offer no oojec-
t,on to leasing coang station rights to the United
States for the benefit Of her treasury. The Lodge
resolution, II 1t accomplshes nothing else Is car
clated 10 give notice 10 the rest Of the world that
the United States is mindful OF the Galapagos
rroup and will not allow any possible future enemy
Of this country secure proprietary rights there.
The resolution has also operated 10 encourage the
able men charged with the management OF the
limited States Navy. and especially those respons
he for providing for the maintenance OF the fleet
NJ sea TO the belief that least one Of the Islands
may In a short time he equipped with such mod
ern coallng and provisioning establishment as VIII
soon be ready for at Pago Pago, Honolulu.
Cavte and Tortugas
OF the sixteen islands In the group only one Ia In
hablted and It Is this one that it is proposed to
utilize for naval rendezvous and coaling port
II is owned by a native OF Ecuador who Is natur-
allied American citizen and NJ last reports was
anxious TO secure protection for his valuable plan
tation by hoisting the Stars and Stripes. For such
protection ne has offered 10 give the United States
the ground it requires along the shores of his
chief harbor without other recompense than the
assurance Of a stable government.
SOUTH AMERICAN STATES MAY OBJECT.
AS far as can be ascertained the sole objection
that has recently been raised against the imme-
diate acquisition Of the islands is that the act
might be regarded with suspicion by other South
American countries. When this alarm is effect
ualy dispelled II is reasonably certain that Gala
pagos will come under United States sovereignty
a guarantee Of the neutrality of the American
isthman canal
CAPTAIN TANNERS OBSERVATIONS
Captain z. l.. Tanner L. S NJ who visited the
islands twice in 1891 to investigate their value for
coalng station purposes reported elaboraely the
Navy Department upon their advantages. He
found that Chatham Island alone was Inhabited
and that 1t admirably adapted a halting
place for ships In need Of fuel, water and
provisions. well being Of tremendous strategi-
cal importance in case Of completing any Amer
lean isthmian canal. The archipelago he found TO
be composed OF six principal slands-Albemarle,
Indefatigable. Marlborough. Chatham. James and
Chares-three smaller. Hood. Bindloe and Abing-
DON and five six which were little more than
huge rocks
The group Is of volcanic origin the larger islands
being mountainous with prominent peaks and many
minor elevations, all Of them extinct craters. In
the uplands there is a rich. rolling country thickly
tovered with trees and other vegetation resembling
the forests Of Central America. The foliage is
fresh and green during the rainy season even down
10 the beaches and retains its freshness on the