The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1873-02-15
ExA DOWN SOUTH.

MUM - nAlN ADI ROOA GA1HNNaS 49, $1,000 wv ~
men L~enighted. the lamp of life deny?"
ANNEXATION DOWN SOUTH.
In the New Zealand papers that have come to
hand by the Dakota, both the Auckland journals
and those published at other points, it is defnitively
stated that one of the principal points proposed
for discussion at the - Inter Colonial Conference"
to be held at Sydney during this present month,
is the annexation OF the FIJI Islands. But from
hints that have been dropped on different occa-
sions, and from the tone of colonial editorials, it
would seem that the annexing fever has taken a
pretty strong hold there, and in fact, looks to the
cnunciation of u declared policy for the future of
extending the British Colonial rule whenever and
wherever practicable throughout the scattered
groups Of islands OF the South Pacifi;. 1t is
declared that " a few years ago, III In
those regions was confined to bc~ach-combers, and
a friendly intercourse was kept up influenced by
mutual interests. Now the islands have become
susceptible of great improvement in the Euro
pean sense, and Mr.. Grant, (tbe Melbourne
prime mover in the annexation scheme) although
rather carried away in his scheme by the strong
spirit of the times, is MOI after all so much mis-
taken. He had a notion to benefit Victoria by
universal annexation. His idea was to take the
whole cake, and then to sell it out to suit the
tastes and appetites of others who wanted a
share"
But while thus preparing to try their hand ut
the traditional Anglo-Saxon game of land-grab-
bling, which is as old as Canute, the Australians
are looking furtively around as if expecting to be
observed and perhaps adversely criticised. In the
Sydney Morning Herald of January 10th, is n
laad;nr orfioIa IF a nolurnn an1 n half which
reads curiously enough. 1t is a rather labored
excuse for those great Powers who unscrupulously
partition out the territory of others, under the
declared doctrine that if a country is desirable,
this gives the right to those who think SO, and
have the power, to take it, and cites some notable
instances. But naturally enough, and irresisti-
bly, perhaps, there is a vein Of satire running
through the article that betrays a grim apprecia-
ton of the astounding GOODNESS for which it is
finding excuses and precedents. Among the pre-
cedents quoted is Texas, and the Americans are
twitted with having newly consecrated the ancient
scheme, first proclaimed as Border law
1.-THE good old plan,
That they should take who have the power,
Aud they should keep who can"
Germany is also reminded of Holstein, and the
expectation hazarded that she will soon have a
squadron in the Pacific to look after her interests
at Samoa and elsewhere, and it is = presumed :"
that France and Russia will also have fleets out
to look after their interests in this hitherto neg
lected part of the world. But in all these retro
s~pections and suggestions as to the greed for an-
~nexation by other powers, it never once seems to
occur to the writer that Australia's mother
country has been celebrated as a very extensive
annexationist, her operations in that line extend
ing into every quarter of the globe.
We quote the first and the concluding para
graphs of the article in question
"W have received a second telegram, which ex-
plains the appearance of an American squadron
announced on January b in the Southern Ocean.
The spirit Of annexation has been supposed to ami
mate the American Government; and Honolulu is to
be its choice in this part of the world. We doubt the
present intention - suppress the sovereignty Of the
native King, or that Honolulu, however important as
n commercial port, is of sufficient consequence to
excite the covetOusness of the statesmen of America.
Besides, they have other business in hand. By a
late telegram, we are informed that Mexico is in a
disturbed state, and that Cuba is the theatre Of an
unsurpassed insurrection."
eve do not think the powers of Europe have ex-
actly made up their minds on the principles of divis-
this principle, that the common lands shall be di-
yided among the owners according 10 their acreage
A very small share will be allotted to England, if it
be measured in accordance with her territory, to say
nothing of the natural law of contiguity. The ter
ritories Of Russia are already washed by the Pacific,
or at any rate it can be easily so explained; and
America undoubtedly is seated upon this vast ocean.
Thus the principle of partition, whether it be neigh
borhood or extent of territory, will be very ~unfivor-
able to Great Britain. The language of our telegram
is rather remarkable The squadron is not intended
to succor the natives OF the Pacific Ocean, but to
prevent others from getting undue advantages, just
as q sharp boy calls out, " Let me be third - when
there are two in possession, or cries out Halves .
when he sees a friend dropping upon luck. By these
cOQtriyancpS- nations and Individuals, bows and men.
constitute an unchalleng eable right to a share"
There is one aspect of this subject which certainly
settles that dependence upon isolation and distance
which has often been proclaimed as giving US security
against an enemy. The position of Honolulu IS not so
very remote after all. The Hawaiian Islands are not
so very far from Sydney, and New Caledonia is much
nearer. The question of distance therefore is gradu-
ally fling down, and it is not impossible, If MIR.
Parkes should remain Minister as long as VIM. Pitt,
that he may have to impose as many war taxes as
that illustrious statesman. The older colonies,
although first in date compared with others, cannot
claim any priority Of right, even Melbourne being
Judge. That spirited and self-reliant community
would treat any title to pre-eminence not based upon
superior strength, as mere chiidishness. We rather
think the Americans, perhaps the French, certainly
the Germans. would concur in that opinion. H.,
therefore, we have any desire to avoid annexation,
we must cling to the old country, which at least lsas
strong n any other, and We must treat its people