Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-09-26
MARCUS ISLAND GUANO
ROSEHILL WILL ASK $4,000, 900
INDEMNITY FROM JAPAN.
Possession Of Deposits Asked-Claim
to Be Made to State
Department.
Special Correspondence of The Evening Star

Special Correspondence of The Evening Star.
HONOLULU, T. H, September 10, 1902.
Captain RosehilFs expedition has re-
turned from Marcus Island without having
had any conflict with the Japanese marines
on the island, and the Japs are in full
possession but their possession is by no
means undisputed. The Honolulu Marcus
Island Guano Company will make protest
against the action of the Japanese captain
in forcing him to leave the island, and will
put in a claim for $4,000 600 indemnity, be-
sides the possession of the island.
The Japanese cruiser had left when Rose
hill got to Marcus with the schooner Julia
E. Whalen. The japanese commander left
note, however, couched in the most
courteous language, but informing the
American commander that Japan claimed
the island. The cruiser was compelled to
leave by lack Of coal to maintain herself
longer in Marcus Island waters. She land
ed fifteen marines and left them in COM
mand of Lieutenant Kinote, and they were
on hand to receive Captain Rosehill when
the American schooner hove in sight, the
day after the japanese war vessel left the
island.
Japan's Claim.
The letter left for the American COM
mander informed him that Japan had a
prior claim to the island, and that she pro-
poSSo " SuloICe IL. Inc Japanese captain
hoped that the American would not cause
any conflict, but would submit peaceably
to the arbitrament of the two governments
concerned. He stated that the landing pro-
posed by Rosehill could not be allowed
After a good deal of negotiation with
Lieut.. kinote Rosehill secured permission to
allow five of his men to land, among them
being 7. F. Sedgwick of the United States
agricultural bureau of Hawaii. who accom-
panied the expedition as an expert to Sc
cure samples of the guano deposits. The
men We're ashore several days, making ex-
aminations, and found guano of high
grade, indicating that the island is a val
liable one. Then they were told by the jap
anese commander that they must leave.
He did not like to them at work on
land, and the temper of his men was such
that he thought it best for the Americans
TO clear out. Capt. Rosehill had no alter
native but to go. There were enough
Japs to have eaten us up he said express
slvely after his return to Honolulu.
Rosehill Retreats.
He at once withdrew the men on shore
and the schooner Whalen set out for Hon
olulu without having accomplished either
of the purposes for which she left Homo
lulu. The first purpose was to obtain possess
sion of the island and the second was to
secure a complete report of the value of
the guano deposits if possession could not
be obtained. The examinations We're only
ha!f made when the Japanese commander
oroered the Americans off the island but
enough had been discovered to show that
the island is very valuable one.
The island is also said to be of much
value to the United States as cable land
ing and a possible coaling station. The
guano company will at once send A repre-
sentative to Washington to press its claims
against the japanese government with the
Department of State.
Another Silver Tongue.
colonel Thomas Fitch, widely known as
the silver tongued orator of the west"
will represent the Marcus Island Guano
Company at Washington. He is now pre-
pairing briefs and will present a demand
for 100000 indemnity from the Japan
csc government. The company spent about
$lo,oOo in sending the schooner Whalen to
Marcus, and this will be included In the
claim.
1t is claimed that the japanese COM
mander committed overt act in forcing
the Americans to leave the island. AS
cltlzens OF friendly power they were. it
Is argued, entitled to land on the island
and make a scientific investigation of ii,
whether the island belongs to Japan or
not and damages will be asked on account
OF the order forcing the Americans to leave
the island.
The company will also ask that a war
snip De sent to Marcus to GUST the Japs
and put Rosehill in possession RosehilI
still claims that he can establish his right
TO the island, by virtue of first occupancy,
and Colonel Fitch will soon leave Honolulu
10 present the whole matter at Washing
ton In the meantime the Japs have full
swing at Marcus Island, and are doing a
big bird-catching business