Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1906-12-16
TROOPS HURRY TO HAWAII
Officers Of Transport Thomas Give Cut
Startling Information at Honolulu.
JAPANESE SAID TO &c AFTER ISLANDS
Governor and Land Commissioner Are
EniOined from selling Island
OF Lanai TO Alleged Jhpn-
nesc Syndicate

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 15.-The Ex-
aminer publishes the following dispatch
from Honolulu today
The officers of the transport Thomas
have announced that two regiments are to
be rushed Immediately to the island IN
anticipation of trouble with Japanese. They
absolutely refuse to give out any OF the
details bearing on the call for troops or
the reason why the government feels that
the soldiers of the United States army are
necessary in the islands, which are at this
time overrun by the little brown men. 1t
is understood that the mikado was eX-
tremely anxious to secure possession OF the
island of Lanai, which is private property
This island is fifty miles from Honolulu
and could be used as an excellent naval
base against the United states by any for
eign power 1t has two splendid harbors, OF
sufficient depth to accommodate large
fleet Of war vessels.
Last night Attorney George ID. Gear Sc
cured an injunction against Governor Car
ter and Land Commissioner Pratt to pre-
vent their selling the island to a syndicate
1t is understood that the syndicate repre-
sents the Japanese government or people
who ultimately expect to dispose of the
island to Japan.
Interest in Germany.
BERLIN, Dec. 15.-The relations between
the United States and japan excite ex-
traordinary interest both in government
and diplomatic circles here. Emperor Will
liam discussed the question with several
persons recently and is thoroughly in
formed regarding President Roosevelt's per-
sonal views on the subject. 1t is believed
that Russla's more resolute attack against
Japans requests for trade and colonization
rights on the Amur river and in seal and
fishery privileges on the adjacent Russian
coasts is partly due to the discussion of
the California school question between the
United States and Japan The Russian for
eign office has been subjected to steady
diplomatic pressure on the part of the
japanese in the effort to obtain these far
reaching rights. The result is that the
| idea has been created at the Russian for
eign office that Japan might make its
ambitions the occasion for a renewal Of the
war with Russia. This idea pervaded the
conversations which the Russian Foreign
minister, M Iswolsky, had with the gov
| eminent officials and others whom he met
| here on the occasion of his visit to Berlin
six weeks ago. NJ. Iswolsky met many
prominent people here and talked with
| ordinary freedom.
War as n Possibility.
Among German military and naval on.
GERS the possibility Of a conflict between
the United States and Japan has been fire..
quently discussed and the professional
views appear to agree that Japan woult
take the Philippine islands and place upor
the United States the necessity Of con
Quoting across the Pacific prolonged sea
| and land campaigns which would call forth
immense expeditions against great natura
obstacles. 1t was known here, In June tina
the British Admiralty had considered
theoretically the possibility Of war between
Japan and the United States as likely Il
occur within twenty-five years, and som,
OF the British naval men are reported Il
have expressed the belief that the cuntes
would occur within five years In any cas-
1t is certain that several European. foreign
offices are at present making inquiries re
garding the temper of the Japanese people
and the government of Japan.
simply Routine Matter.
WASHINGTON, Dec. Alt is stated a
the War department that no order has beef
issued for the dispatch Of additional troop
to the Hawaiian islands nor is any sucI
order contemplated. The permanent garri
son in Hawaii consists of four companie
Of regular troops, Two Of these were las
summer ordered to the mainland for large
practice, the facilities for which are lackinl
in the islands They have now returned I
their posts and no immediate changes in tn
force or additions thereto are contemplated