The Savannah morning news., 1903-03-31

senger Aboard the United States
ship Yorktown or Princeton from
Manila to Yap-SenatOr Bacon Sc
Hartridge Now at Hong Kong,
How VIII He Leave Yap!
BY r. NJ. Larner.
Washington, March Ex-senator Ba-
con made another visit to the State
Department to-day in behalf of Walter
c. Hartridge, the Savannah lawyer who
has been stranded at Hong Kong. The
Senator's mission was crowned with
success. for the Secretary of the Navy,
at the instance of the Secretary OF
State, has ordered that Mr.. Hartridge
be conveyed to the Island of Yap on
an American warship, either the York.
town or the Princeton.
In great state and in a way which
will indicate to the natives that he has
the full backing of the American gov
ernment, the Savannah man will make
his appearance in the realm of the late
King David O'Keeffe. Both the York
town and the Princeton are soon to
leave the naval station at Cavite, Ma
Mia, under orders to sail for home. In
structions will be sent for one or the
other of these vessels to come by the
way of the Caroline Islands.
Mr.. Hartridge will proceed at once
from Hong Kong to Manila, and upon
his arrival there the commanding otfl-
Ger of the American squadron will de-
termine which of the two vessels shall
convey him to his destination. AS
stated, ships of the American navy
sometimes make a call at the Caroline
Islands and this can be done without
any loss of time to speak of. The Of
ficers of the particular vessel which
may be selected to carry Mr.. Hartridge
would probably prefer to come by way
of Yokohama, because of the antici-
pated pleasure of stop at the princi-
nal port of Japan, but the Navy De-
partment authorities have decided that
the necessity of the American widow
of the late King of Yap is sufficiently
great to warrant this consideration
being given her attorney.
Just how Mr.. Hartridge will get away
from Yap is not clear. The ship which
will carry him there is not expected to
remain until he completes his busi-
ness. He will, however, have to take
chances on getting away and is doubt
less willing to do so, if he can once
reach his destination.
i,cer Nf that nl4RPS
a warship at the disposal of Mr.. Hart
ridge is the realization of a prediction
made exclusively in the Morning News
more than two months ago. when the
legal representative of King O'kee1es
widow and orphan in this city, return
ed flcm Washington.
When it became known several days
ago that MIR. Hartridge was high ard
dry at Hong Kong, it was again as
certained that he would have to make
the trip on an American man
of-war. Once more the story
was given in the Morning News aGG
again efforts were made to make II
appear that no such plan was Oeng
even contemplated. n formal request
however. had been made for the war
ship, and by the efforts of Senator
Bacon it was secured for the lone Sa-
vannah lawyer in Hong Kong.
Although the matter of getting to
Yap has been settled, Mr.. Hartridge
friends are somewhat concerned to
know how he is going to manage to
leave the island. Still they do not be-
lieve in attempting too many things
at one time and the government has
not been asked to send a vessel Tor
him at any specified time. Because
an alleged will is to be opened at Yap
in May. it is necessary for Mr.. Hart
ridge to go to the island at once. The
lawyer himself made this statement be-
fore his departure for Hong Kong, and
the information was given exclusively
in the Morning News The necessity
of leaving Yap within a specified time
is not as apparent as it is that he