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Show BIG CRUISER SENT TO PALM ISLAND United States Not Disposed to Admit That It Belongs ..to Great Britain. WASHINGTON. Fob. 17. Although much secrecy Is maintained at the navy department as to the destination of the armorpd cruiser West Virginia, and tho state department professed Ignorance of any fact that this vessel Is going anywhere any-where on work for that branch of tho government. It is generally believed here that tho vessel Is heading for Talmyra Island. Tho stale department admitted It was possible that an American warship was going to Palmyra. Cople3 of recent correspondence cor-respondence In regard to this Island possession. pos-session. It was admitted, had been sent to the navy department, and It wan understood un-derstood a vessel soon would go to tho Island and make an Investigation. State department officials declared they did not know whether the present trip of tho West Virginia had any connection with thla Investigation. At Iho navy department It was stated that the vessel was? going on a little ornlse. Recently some doubt was expressed as to tho sovereignty of Palmyra. Tt was proclaimed part of Hawaii In 1882 and annexed by Great .Britain In 188D. Whether the British annexation cancelled can-celled the prior Hawaiian claim was the question to be determined. If it did not, then the annexation of Hawaii made Palmyra American territory. The Inland Is 1 000 miles southwest of Honolulu and only ninety miles from Fanning island. Recently reports came from Honolulu that the -West Virginia bad received or-jders or-jders to coal and provision for a long cruise and her departure has been eagerly watched. |