South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-08-28
United States is Interested
In Outcome In Orient
Z. 6. POSSESSIONS JAPAN NIGHT
THREATEN.

Z. &. POSSESSIONS JAPAN NIGHT
THREATEN.
As Japan and the United States are
the only two strong powers with home
territory bordering on the Pacific
ocean. the American government nat
urally regards with interest. if not
with concern. the probability of hav-
ing Japanese substituted for German
neighbors to several Of its island pos
sessions.
Stretching across the Pacific. from
San Francisco to the mainland Of
Asia, the United States now has in
order Hawaii. the Midway Island.
Guam Gone Of the Ladrones) and the
Philippines
Steamships seldom take a straight
course from San Francisco to the Phil
ippines. They swing off to the north
10 touch at Honolulu, and usually,
some Japanese port. Because of the
varying ocean depths, too, the cable
lines touch at Honolulu
Hawaii entered the United States
as fully organized territory by virtue
OF a treaty of annexation concluded
with the republic OF Hawaii Midway.
tiny stretch of sand, was brought tc
the United states by this same treaty.
The Spanish war brOugh Us Guam
and the Philippines.
Then. far 10 the south. lies Ameri-
can Samoa. It is naval station,
with the best harbor in this archipel-
ago. PagopagO. Tutuiia and the three
islets known collectively as Manua,
fell Ia the IN a
this country Germany and Great
Britain had been brought near 10 war
over the subject
Germany took Upolu by treaty terms
and Great Britain took Savaii and
promptly relinquished il TO Germany
for the consideration of complete
rights in the kingdom OF Tonga. and
the withdrawal OF German claims TO
the Solomon islands lying south of
Bougainvile
No Economic Value.
Samoa has absolutely no economic
value. The largest American island.
Tutuila. is only sixteen miles between
east and west and scarcely attains the
breadth Of five miles. Is population
g. scanty and lacks industry; il is only
as a result OF constant prodding on
the part of the commandant of the
station. who Is also governor OF
American Samoa. that the islanders
produce enough 90 pay their not Oner-
Gus taxes. It's value Is wholly mill
tary. a most important post IN naval
strategy.
The possession of Pagopago harbog
carries with 10 the control of all the
Samoan islands In the German ISL
ands OF the former kingdom OF Samoa
there are but three harbors. Apia Is
wholly indefensible. and its record OF
destruction in the gale OF March.
1889. shows its danger for ships; the
harbors OF Saluafata and FangalOa al
ford poor shelter in this season of the
trade winds. but In the summer OF the
southern hemisphere. from November
20 March. they are "A danger rather
than protection 20 ships. Samoa lies
three days by steam east OF the British
colony of Fiji. in whose harbOr OF
Suva is the central station and operat-
ing headquarters OF the cruiser divi-
sion OF the Australian squadron in
time ~ peace. In war II doubtless
hold. the same relation toward YES
sells OF greater offence.
The economic and political situa-
ton OF Hawaii needs no statement In
connection with the present moves OF
Pacific powers. Its strategic position
is OF the utmost Importance. not only
% America in the Pacific, but equally
10 America in America. The census
OF Hawaii shows that the predominant
clement in the population is Japanese.
FOR few families OF this race are re
corded between Hiio and Nihau. IL
- matter OF common note that the
Japanese in Hawaii are largely vet
Grams OF the Russian war. and the re-
mainder who have not had experience