The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1908-03-20
PEARL HhRbOR
IN CONGRESS

ve-tiser considerable Pearl Harbor
matter. including the report of the
Committee on Naval Affairs on estab-
fishing a naval base at that point.
The report follows:
The Committee on Naval Affairs,
having had under consideration the
bill q. r 1920 to establish a naval
station al Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. re-
port the same with the recommended
non that it do pass without amend
Tnent-
The Hawaiian Islands afford the
only possible location for a strong
naval base in the central Pacific Ocean
for a distance Of over 1000 miles from
our western coast.
Pearl Harbor is beyond question one
~ the best. II not the best, natural
harbor in the world. 1t has a depth
Of water OF over SO feet and an area
OF nearly 10 square miles, and capa-
BILE Of floating the combined navies of
the world. Il is not only landlocked,
but by reason Of the topography of
The surrounding ground, ships lying in
this harbor are out OF view from the
open sea Il is the only practicable
site Tor a naval base in the Pacific
Ocean. and is the recognized key to
naval supremacy in those waters. Its
equipment as an operating base is a
prerequisite TO the most successful OPP
Grafton Of our fleets whether offensive
or defensive.
For over sixty-five years the United
states Government has officially rec
,oznized the strategic Importance of the
Hawaiian Islands and the necessity of
preventing their occupation by any
Other nation
Beginaing in 1872 president Tyler
gave notice 10 all European nations
-ha- the United States would never
consent 10 their occupying Hawaii or
establishing any naval base there.
This Monroe Doctrine of the Pa
cifcr was reiterated by Daniel Web
ser. as Secretary Of State, in 1851, and
10y william l. Marcy, the great Dem
ocra-ic Secretary OF State, by James
C. Blaine. and by William Mckinley.
Captain Cn0w AdmiraD a. T. Ma
han. writing in 1893, came to the con-
c'usilns-
ITO any one viewing a map that
shows the full extent of the Pacific.
two circumstances will be
strIsingly and Immediately apparent.
E5e viii see at a glance that the Sand
witch Islands stand by themselves in
- state OF comparative isolation, amid
"a vast expanse Of sea; and. again,
that they form the center of a large
circle whose radius is approximately
The distance from Honolulu TO San
Francisco. This is substan-
-Iauy The same distance as from Ho-
a1lulu 10 the Gilbert. Marshall, Sa-
moan. and Society Islands, all under
European control except Samoa, in
which we have a part influence.
"T0 have a central position such as
zhis. and 10 be alone, having no rival
and admitting no rival, are
conditions that al once fix the atten-
rlau 81 the s-ra-egist. But to
-his striking combination is to be add
ed che remarkable relations borne
10 The great commercial routes
r.lVersin- this vast expanse.
Too much stress can not be laid
Eu1r the immense disadvantage to US
az any maritime enemy having a coal
Ing station wei within $500 miles, as
-l5s ls OF every point Of our coast /
-zle from Puget sound TO Mexico. Were /
--a-a many others available we might T.
ind 10 difficult 10 exclude from all. /
There is. however. but the one. Shut
.au- from the Sandwich Islands as a /
coal base. an enemy is thrown back I
Tor supplies Of fuel TO distances of .
so or 4s10 miles-or between 1000
and s1Fa going and coming-an imped-
l-lau- 10 sustained maritime operations .
UH- uiEh prohIbiJive. It is
rarely thar SO important a factor in I
rle attack or defense Of "a coast line
OF a sea fr0uuer-is concentrated in 4
- single position, and the circum-
stance renders doubly Imperative upon
as -1 secure il II we righteously can
TUau-y-rw0 years ago, by the reel
7r1cl-v treaty with King Kalakaua, /
-he United states acquired the right 7
-n establish naval base on Pearl I
-a1-
Ten years ago this nation, foresee- I
l-= -le likelihood that they might fall
--1 che hands Of an oriental nation, .
annexed -he Hawaiian Islands. This
---l--Hr-lus action was taken primarily
le1lusa II the Strategic value of the
E.-u-zE1u Islands and for the purpose
f es-abishinE a strong naval base
-r Pearl Ha-bor-
since lh1- time q magnificent site
-- "a naval station. consisting Of over
. acres OF land, has been purchased .
De- -hH Federal Government. and a so
-'1- l-suuel has been dredged through
-le channel bar
The war Department has also ac-
lui-ed ample sites for fortifcations at
-le channel entrance. and the first bat
-g Us now under construction.
Er -o the present time no beginning
l-s been made toward the actual con-
-le-l1n Of a naval base on Pearl
---a1r- Year after year the needs of
-lG Naval Establishment in other di-
ll-s have been permitted 10 crowd
@ OH of The naval bills.
lr -he Judgment Of your commit
Dee me new developments on the Pa
enc and among the nations that Dor
a- Us shores make il imperative that
q strong operating base be established
1- orr Navy a. Pearl Harbor without
further delay
A naval base al Pearl Harbor is not
j