The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1914-08-25
IN
THE PACIFIC
4 the United States Make Our Peo-
pie Suspicious of Japanese
Intentions

Washington, Aug. 25.-As Jap
n and the United States are the
lnly two strong powers with
ONE territory bordering on the Pa
hfic ocean, the American govern
nent naturally regards with interest
4 not with concern, the probability
bf having Japanese substituted for
German neighbors to the several of
It's island possessions.
lSTetchtng across the Pacific from
Sam Francisco to the MAINLAND OF
Asia, the United States now has in
brder Hawaii, the Midway Island,
Guam Zone of the Ladrones) and
he Philippines.
Steamships seldom take a straight
eourse from San Francisco to the
Philippines. They swing off to the
shorth TO touch at Honolulu, and US
lally some japanese port. Because
'bf the varying ocean depths, too, the
liable lines touch at Honolulu.
Hawaii entered the United States
jas a fully organized territory, by vir-
hue of treaty of annexation con-
scluded with the republic of Hawaii.
Midway, a tiny stretch of sand was
brought to the United States by this
same treaty. The Spanish war
D6rough us Guam and the Philippines.
n Then, far to the south lies Ameri-
IAan Samoa. II is a naval station with
Ithe best harbor in this archipelag go,
lPagopago. Tutufla and the three
|islets known collectively as Manua,
fell to the United States in 1900, af-
ter this country, Germany and Great
Britain had been brought near to
war over the subject
Germany took Upolu by treaty
terms, and Great Britain atook Sa-
vail and promptly reHnqutshed it to
Germany for the consideration of
complete rights in the kingdom OF
Tonga, and the withdrawal of Ger
man claims to the Solomon Islands
lying south of Bougainyille.
Samoa has absolutely no economic
value. The largest American island
Tutilia, is only sixteen miles between
east and west, and scarcely attains
the breadth of five miles It's popu-
lation is scanty and lacks industry
it is only as a result OF constant
prodding on the part of the COM
mandant of the station, who is also
governor of American Samoa, that
the Islanders produce enough to pay
their not onerous taxes. Its value
is wholly military. a most important
post in naval strategy.
The possession of Pagopago har-
Dor carries with it the control of al
the Samoan islands. In the German
islands of the former kingdom of sa-
moa there are but three harbors
Apia is wholly indefensible, and It's
record of destruction. in the gale Of
March, 1889, shows its dangers fol
ships; the harbors of Saluafata and
Fangaloa afford poor shelter fol
ships in this season of the trade
winds, but in the summer of the
northern hemisphere, from Novem.
Der to March, they are danger
rather than protection to ships
Samoa lies three days by stream cas-
of the British colony of Fiji, il
whose harbor of Suva is the centra
station and operating headquarter.
0fthe cruiser division of the Austra3
kian squadron in time of peace; II
war it doubtless holds the same re
Nation toward vessels of greater of
fence.
The economic and political situa
tion of Hawaii needs no Statement
in connection with the present moves
of the Pacific powers. Its strategice
position is of the utmost importance