The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1873-03-15

tblukiug men OF all countries W hlle philosophers
have been observing the wonderful things IN the
natural world Of which these islands are 50 full, the
dcvotees Of social science have found other phenom-
ena equally worthy % study. The most extraordinary
Is that, for about n quarter Of a century, this archi-
pclagO, although inhabited by a race, recently bar
bArous, was the conservatory Of civilization for a
whole hemisphere. As n small country can be more
rapidly overcome than q large one, Pacific civilization
acquired its first fcothold here, very much as at
lacking fleets hrst secure some indetensiblc island on
su enemy's coast This archipelago was, for a long
time, the centre Of the civilization. intelligence and
commercial enterprise Of the Pacific IL was the only
place where foreigners found a home, and for many
years the only newspapers IN the English language
On this side Of the globe were published IN Honolulu.
For these reasons, this group Of islands has been
regarded with soliciiude; and, even now, the sacrifice
Of It's Independence causes a sensation. But, as the
world moves on, sentiment must yield 10 practical
necessity. The acquisition Of California and the de-
y~elopment Of rich American possessions on the Pacific
coast have changed these islands from alOnely centre
10 a familiar stopping place. The opening Of ports in
China aud Japan have also exeTted an important IN
iuence. The loss Of many sources Of wealth has
given local enterprise q new direction, and the inter
nal resources of the islands have been developed at
great sacrifice Of money and personal exertion. They
are rapidly aSSlmllAting 10 the rest OF the world; and
the individuality Of the nation, once an element Of
strength, has become = cause Of weakness.
Although We shrink from the surrender o. such n
cosmopolitan nationality, il should be remembered
that a citizen OF the United States is eminently "A
citizen Of the world. Its wonderful frame Of gov
eminent, designed 10 consolidate q few struggling
colonies which had revolted against oppression has
disclosed singular vitality and elasticity. Il is a
'union and not a league but new States can be
absorbed without serious loss Of individuality. In
this it is peculiar. France could only repeat the
lesson of the Society Islands. England might estab-
lish another St. Helena or Bermuda, but under the
dag Of the United States. Hawaii nei would have the
same political rank as Pennsylvania, Missouri or
California.
WHAT Will. FOREIGN NATIONS say?
Anxious inquiries al imade as to the probable
course Of foreign natiSas. When the late King
accepted the probability Enumeration. Still, some
profess fear of Great Britain. Those who watched
the course of that country during the Alabama
negotiations will not susptst it OF anxiety for war.
sn lnGO' to suppose p @s t" that Siak2 Of f the grSat powers " eGs
would risk IA war on cur account. or that either
would accept the sovereignty of these islands, I'M
less the wish of the inhabitants to that effect were
clearly and deliberately expressed. Neither has u
century OF alteration eonclusiyely demonstrated
an implacable animosits between Englshmen and
Americans. They grow aud snarl at one another,
and the consciousness that each can do the utmost
possible good or harm 70 the other keeps both upon
their mettle but, after all, the influence of a com
mon language and common origin is very great,
and each nation is centrally glad to See the other
secure what it cannot get itself. The natural ATTN
ity of these islands is for the United States.
LORD PAIMERsToN's VIEWS.
At least one veteran English statesman and di-
plomatist has seen this clearly. l have high
authority for saying that when the last two kings
Othen princes) visited Great Britain, Lord PALMER
sToN told them =
1t is the desire of the British Government that
the Sandwich Islands should preserve their indie
pendence and establish a good and stable govern
ment for their own benefit as well as that of for
eign nations. But. if from any cause, it is found
impracticable to do so, my advice to you is TO seek
the protection of the United States. by receiving a
protectorate, or becoming an integral part thereof.
As the original inhabitants of the islands are
rapidly diminishing and there is a probability OF
their being replaced by emigration from the United
States. upon whom you depend for exchange of
products. the destiny of your country seems TO lie
in that direction
in practical wisdom or devotion to his country. His
foreign policy was proverbially bold. Great re-
spect is due to his opinion.
TRUE INTEREST Or GREAT BRITAIN.
But why should Great Britain cOvet these ISL
ands? They have plenty more all over the world,
and If, as decided at Geneva, the Imperial Treasury
must pay for acts of Colonies which the mother
country cannot control, they will not be anxious TO
enlarge their colonial system. Besides, what inter-
est has Great Britain in the Northern Pacific since
the Berlin award has 50 seriously impaired the value
of British Columbia? The doctrine of " manifest
destiny " will probably impress Lord Palmerston's
successors as it did himself. If these islands pass
under American rule, British statesmen may rejoice
that they have got into such good hands. 1t is his
toTicalIy true that the sovereignty of these Islands
has been three times offered to Great Britain, viz;
by Kamehameha ]. in 1894 and 1910, and by Ka-
mehameha ii. in 1924. Each time it was refused,
although the English offered TO protect them
against invasion by other nations. Whatever may
be reproached to British rapacity elsewhere, the
inhabitants of these islands have no occasion to
complain of or fear it. Let Americans acknowl-
edge this in justice to Great Britain, and there need
be no fear for the future.
THE MONROE DOCTRINE.
But if this question must be tried, the United
States are bound by most positive pledges. given
at the request of Great Britain, to vindisate their
rights in Such a cOnfrovarSv according IN what is
commonly styled the Monroe Doctrine" set forth
in the message of President Monroe, of December
I'd, 1923, which is recognized as a fixed rule OF
American diplomacy. When this message was
delivered, John Quincy Adams was Secretary OF
State, John G.. Calhoun Secretary OF War, and the
avowed were understood to have the
approval of ex-President Jefferson, who was con-
suited by Mr.. Monroe, and OF eX-Presldent John
Adams who was consulted by bis distinguished
son. 1t contains two propositions,-non colonial
ton and non-interventiOn The first part was sug-
gested by an ukase of the Gar of Russia, asserting
a claim, by occupancy, to all above the ~ffty-irst
parallel. The question has since been finally settled
by the purchase of all the rights Of Russia with the
acquisition of the territory of Alaska. Partly at the
instance of England, the President declared the oc-
casion a proper one " for asserting, as a principle in
which the rights and interests of the United States
are involved, that the American continent by the
free and Independent condition which they have as
sumed and maintained, are hencefOrth not to be con-
sidered as subjects for further colonization by any
European power" The same doctrine would apply
to these islands, whose condition for nearly a century
precludes the idea of acGui ,ition by occupation -
pecially as by successive treaties, this Kingdom
has been admitted into the great family of nations.
The United States are bound to resist any assertion
of right or claim to these islands by foreign powers
which is Eot strictly accordant with the law of
nations recognized by civilized countries. But the
second branch of the Monroe doctrine is more i'm
portant. This renowned declaration owes its exist
ence TO the application Of the British Foreign Secre-
tary, the celebrated Mr.. Canning, to Mr.. Rush,
American Minister in England, who transmitted il to
Monroe. Mr.. Canning was startled by the
spirit of the Holy Alliance, and its appar-
ent purpose Of aiding to reduce by combined strength
and direct intervention, the reyolted provinces Of
Spanish America In his own famous language he
to "call the new world into existence to
redress the balance of the old" He invited the CO.
operation Of the United States. The American
spoke emphatically. He declared the pO-
litical systems Of the two hemispheres quite distinct.