The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-01
THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.

Oo NOS Require Annexation
| TO THE EDIT0R OF THE HERALD
The appearance Of telegram from San Francisco
In this mornings issue, announcing the election
Of Prince Lunalilo to the vacant throne OF the
Sandwich Islands, induces me to give you few
facts regarding that just at present interesting
| country.
Notwithstanding the numerous histories, de.
scriptons, and letters that have been written con-
corning the group OF islands discovered by Captain
COOK and by him called In honor OF tho Earl of
sandwich, but little Is generally known and under
$1,000 even by those who pretend TO read the
papers ana keep up with the times. This may be
parsAiy accounted Tor by the fact that writer's are
not always masters Other subjects, and like your
washington correspondent, "Defender.n some
times err through ignorance, or like that eminent
humorist mark Twainn compromise between
fact and fiction, rather than spoil an Intended
JOKE But to the far seeing statesman, who looks
upon the map Of the world as upon chess board,
these Islands have long been regarded with In
terest, and, especially by Americans recognized
as strong, strategic point relative to the Pacific
Coast. The project of annexation to the United
states Is by no means new one, although the
chances for and effects Of such action are not
thoroughly understood.
Your correspondent seems to think, with many
Others that Uncle Sam has nothing to do but open
his arms and the "Bele OF the Tropicsn will rush
to his embrace But with the present deplorable
condition OF Louisiana before our eyes we Ameri-
cans who have our means invested IN the soil of these
iar Islands Will, perhaps, be somewhat slow to give
up all the good we have FOR the desperate chance
OF something better" in the future. We are none
the less Americans and none the less willing to
light IN the future as in the past, for our native
| country when danger shall assal her, but we do
object to putting our property In the care Of those
who seem to be so little able to protect their
present Charge Up to the time OF the death OF the
late King the islands were governed by laws pat
fsSaas4 Mt saRss & the United States and Eng
archy, with q Parliament composed Of representa-
By the King. the death Of Kamehameis v
without legal head, until the Legislature or Par.
lament could be called together and elect King,
as provided by the constitution. Prince LunalilO.
and who has probably ere this been endorsed r py
the Legislative Assembly, has always been re-
looked upon by foreign residents as one OF
the most Intelligent, as well as liberal
s natives q the And 50
under the rule OF native prince. no unprejudiced
foreigner will object to the choice. There are no
parties OF "monarchistsn and republicans" as
Defender calls them, "strivng to possess them
selves of the government" unless pOt-house poll
1clans or little character or influence should be so
upon the islands Is to see such form of government
as shall secure the greatest good to the greatest
ing, and the necessary labor for the development
Of the Agricultural resources Of the country is
is grave question whether this mixed population
could be trusted with all the privileges
aa M sSs r0nt without
| the white foreigners, who have invested their
means and given their time to the development OF
| the country The richness OF the soil and the
render
sary for mere existence, and 1t is therefore requi
site that h the law shall protect capital as well as
established, which is indispensable to the planter
and yet contrary to the law OF the United States
ployer. In presence Of o government oflcial, for
| term not exceeding hve years, and both parties
iaborer, being generally not amenabIe to civil
damages, violation Of his contract Is made penal
offence, and Imprisonment follows a refusal OF
| labor. We're 1t otherwise the planter would be at
the mercy of his laborers when the crops most
needed attention, ana the scarcity OF labor pre-
cludes the chance OF competition. So the "labor
iaw' must remain In force, or the plantations must
be abandoned.
Since the almost humiliation of the whaling
| fleet, which in former times rendezvOused at Hon
olulu the cultivation OF sugar is the most i'm
portant industry OF the country. But so small is the
induce the natives to work beyond the actual
requirements OF life, that the present product Of
annum. The island of Maui produces over two
thirds OF this amount, and is considered the best
land Of the group yet few Of Its
| the investments made In them.
| The country Ii mountainous and mostly barren,
and Its development would require the expendi-
ture Of great amount of money in roads. break
waters bridges &c. Its value to the United States
would not be IN It's the situation tn Of
the great maritime Powers the islands would COM
mand the Pacific. England and France
tried to have the United states " join them hem
in their promise never 10 forcibly take possession
act on ha ws9
spring mine to which the Alabama claims would
be but fire cracker.
the United States ab0lshing all duties on each
side, and the benefit OF American capital and
sequence OF such Intercourse, the United States
would have such privileges in establishing naval
depot: e.; as would prevent any other Power from
vousng there feet with which to strike or menace
the Pacific coast.
could not be made. In fact, the islands were once
offered to the United States but the negotiations
n the the by II the Sst S
made slave territory. Prince Lunalilo ia known to
be favorable to any project which would benefit
with the United States and while desiring to main
tain their sovereignty, would freely accord any
depots, docks, &C. Tor the use Of American vessels
The United States have been unfortunate in
their diplomatic representatives to the islands and
American influence has waned somewhat on that
account. But so preposterOus IL the idea that any
other government should form close alliance
with the island kingdom that even the English
residents scout It, and not all the examples Of
backw0ods politicians or br0kendOw traders,
sent by Uncle Sam to represent the great Ameri
can people, can eface the fact that the United
states are and ought to be the first and best friends
OF Hawaii
Let the President and his Secretary pay some
attention to the oftrepeated representations OF
Americans who know something OF the islands,
and let plan be placed before Congress which
will be worthy the attention OF that body as eff.
fectually settling the question Of precedence Of In
terest In the islands-n0 reciprocity treaty"
made BY the tools OF the San Francisco sugar re-
schemers but treaty which shall benefit the
producer and consumer alike and establish .
friendship warm and lasting that the two coun-
tries shall be one in everything but name.
AN AMERICAN RESIDENT.
NEW YORK, Jan. 80, 1873.