Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1914-08-30
POSSESSIONS
OF j. 5. JAPAN
MAY THREATEN
Considering His Property,
No Wonder Uncle Sam
Is Watching.

As japan and the United States are
the only two strong powers with
home territory bordering on the pa
cific ocean, the American government
naturally regards with interest, If
not with concern. the probability or
having Japanese substituted for Ger
man neighbors to several of its island
possessions.
Stretching across the Pacific. from
San Francisco to the mainland or
Asia, the United States now has in
order Hawaii, the Midway Island,
Guam Zone of the LadrOnes) and the
Philippines.
Steamships seldom take a straight
course from San Francisco TO the
Philippines. They swing off to the
north to touch at Honolulu, and usu
ally, some japanese port. Because OF
the varying ocean depts, too, the
cable lines stops at Honolulu.
Hawaii entered the United States
as fully organized territory, by vir-
tue of treaty of annexation conclu-
ed with the republic of Hawaii. Mid
way. a tiny stretch OF sand, was
brought to the United States by this
same treaty. The Spanish war brought
us Guam and the Philippines.
Then, far to the south, lies Ameri-
can Samoa. 1t is naval station
with the best harbor in this archi-
pelago. Pagopago. Tutuila and the
three islets known collectively as
Nanua, fell to the United States in
1900 after this country, Germany and
Great Britain. had been brought near
to war over the subject
Germany took Upolu by treaty
terms. and Great Britain took Savaii
and promptly relinouished 1t to Ger
many for the consideration or com
plete rights in the kingdom Of
Tonga, and the withdrawal of German
claims to the solomon Islands lying
south of Bougainville.
Samoa has absolutely no economic
value. The largest Ameril n island
Tutuila, is only sixteen miles between
east and west, and scarcely attains
the breadth of five miles. Its popu-
lation is scanty and lacks industry;
ii is only as a result fconstant prod
ding on the part of the commandant
of the station, who is also Governor
OF American Samoa, that the islands
produce enough to pay their not
enerOus taxes. It's value is wholly
military a most important post in
naval strategy.
The possession of Pagopago harbor
carries with it the control of all the
Samoan islands. In the German
islands of the former kingdom Of
Samoa there are but three harbors
Ppia is wholly indefensible. and its
record of destruction in the gals of
March, 1889. shows its danger for
ships, the harbors of Saluafata and
Fangaloa afford poor shelter in this
season of the trade winds, but in the
summer of the southern hemisphere,
from November to March, they are a
danger rather than a protection to
ships. Samoa lies three days by
steam east of the British colony Of
Fiji. in whose harbor of Suva as the
eventual station and operating head
quarters of the cruiser division of the
Australian squadron in time of peace;
lation toward vessels of greater Of
fence. NV
The economic and political situa-
ton of Hawaii needs no statement in
connection with the present moves of
Pacific powers. It's strategic posi-
ito is of the utmost Importance, not
only to America in the Pacific, but
equally to America in America. The
census of Hawaii shows that the pre-
DONNA element of the population is
Japanese, for few families of this
race are received between Hilo and
Nihau. 1t is matter of common note
that the Japanese in Hawaii are
largely veterans of the Russian war,
and the remainder who have not al
ready had experience in the field.
have already been drilled with the
colors. 1t is understood that these
Japanese are now without arms.
therefore they must remain idle
soldiers, and will easily be controll-
ed by the garrison, of regulars now at
Honolulu
Hawaii is so situated that it bottles
up the whole of the Pacific coast
from the Isthmus to Puget Sound If
in possession of hostile power the
canal commerce is threatened, and
California. Oregon and Washington
lie open to series of wearing at
lacks delivered from that convenient
base. From Oahu to San francisco
1t is a four days journey at wal
speed for battlesips. Allowing eight
days for the advance to the poirt OF
attack and return to base a hostile
fleet could carry enough coal to al.
low a week or even ten days fol-
operation in American waters.
Such attacks could be repeated in
definitely from this base until the
invading fleet has been destroyed 4
naval base is in progress of compile
ton at the Pearl Harbor Lochs, neal
Honolulu. The commercial harbol
at the latter place is nothing NOR
than a roadstead protected by cora
reef. 1t serves we'll enough for tn
needs of vessels of trade. but It I
quite unsatisfactory in naval require
ments. The town is protected by bat
teries established in such natura
fortresses as Ppnchbowl. towerin
above the residences, and Leahi. o
Diamond Head. at the end OF waikiki
Beach. The artillery of coast defens
type is considered sufficient to WITH