December 24, 1998, Oshkosh Daily Northwestern
Oshkosh, Wisconsin
Still Another Island
And now the government has ordered the navy department to seize Wake island, between Hawaii and the Ladrone islands and take possession of it for cable station. The time has come that when Uncle Sam sees a thing he wants he goes and; takes it. The peace treaty cedes 'o the United States the island of Guam in the Ladrones for a coaling and cable station. If a Pacific cable is laid Wake island would be a very convenient midway cable station. It is not certain to whom the island belongs. It appears not to be claimed by anybody. Hence the United States feels that it needs it now and there will be no risk in taking possession of it. The preparations for a Pacific cable, in connection with the annexation of Hawaii and the acquisition of Guam, Wake island and the Philippines, marks great changes in the policy of this country since Mr. Cleveland entered the White House In 1893 when he ordered the American flag at Honolulu hauled down and tried to overthrow the republic and restore the fat queen to the throne. During his administration every Pacific cable project was discouraged and every venture looking to the development of our interests in the Pacific was studiously opposed. No policy could be more diametrically different than the one this administration is pursuing. The possibilities on the Pacific, which no nation is in better circumstances to take advantage of than is the United States, are just beginning to be unfolded. The United States is naturally situated to command the trade and development of that part of the globe. It is this consideration which makes the acquisition of Insular possessions in that ocean tolerable to anti expansionists and smoothes the way for the present administration's policy.
The US annexed Wake Island in 1899.
An important air and naval base was constructed in 1940-41. In December 1941, the island was captured by the Japanese and held until the end of World War II. In subsequent years, Wake was developed as a stopover and refueling site for military and commercial aircraft transiting the Pacific. Since 1974, the island's airstrip has been used by the US military, as well as for emergency landings. All operations on the island were suspended and all personnel evacuated in August 2006 with the approach of super typhoon IOKE (category 5), which struck the island with sustained winds of 250 kph and a 6 m storm surge inflicting major damage. A US Air Force assessment and repair team returned to the island in September and restored limited function to the airfield and facilities. The future status of activities on the island will be determined upon completion of the survey and assessment.
