The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1874-04-24
The Annexation or the Fiji Islands
by England.

The Annexation or the Fiji Islands
by England.
The British press is discussing the question
Of annexing the Fiji Islands, and it is anus
ing to notice the characteristic affectation of
caution, prudence and nice calculation of the
advantages and Disadvantages in doing SO,
while there was foregone conclusion to ac-
complish the object England having it all
her own way, the newspapers can afford to
enter into this discussion. Then this is q
convenient theme on which to hitch the criti-
cal remarks and journalistic ideas which over
flow the British mind. Nevertheless it is all
talk. England is well pleased to annex the
Fiji Islands, and had resolved to do so. This
truth is expressed in leading London jour
nal, after considering the objections. It
ys:-''The RECOMMENDATION policy has been
proved over and over again to be utterly I'M
tenable for progressive people such as ours,
and it might be we'll not to assume that it is
sound any longer" Here is the whole matter
in the. most condensed form. This same
writer says, however, just before, English
men are perpetually declaring that upon no
consideration whatever will they enlarge their
dominions yet we go on acquiring territory
way, in all parts of the world" True enough,
the English are progressive people, and in
this matter OF annexing territory or charging
their dominion they will continue to be so.
The Fiji Islands, estimated to be about two
hundred in number, and containing q popula-
ton Of about two hundred thousand natives
and four thousand whites, lie between twelve
and twenty degrees of latitude, south of the
Equator, and in hundred and eighty
west longitude. They are from fifteen hun
bred to eighteen hundred miles from Aus
tralia, in the midst of the South Pacific
Ocean and the innumerable islands which
jut out like mountain peaks from the bosom
OF that ocean. They occupy central position
to the Friendly, Navigator's New Hcbrides
Society, Depeyster, and Solomon Islands
and other groups which lie thick in the
Pacific, both oides Of the Equator, and which
give one the impression of vast continent
rising out of this mighty ocean. The FIJI
Islands are nearly in a direct line from
Sydney, Australia, to our Pacific coast, and,
of course, not far from direct route to
Mexico and Central America. As colonies
they will have an Importance in connection
with the trade Of America, and of Europe by
the way of America. particularly when ship
canal shall be made through some part of
Central America. No doubt the British gov
eminent and people, and especially the Aus
tralians, who have urged the annexation of
the Fiji Islands, have considered the COM
mercial aspects of the question.
Then these islands, like almost all others in
the Pacific between or bordering on the trop-
les, have o rich soil and fine climate, and are
capable of producing in abundance sugar, cof-
fee, spices, fruits and other things Of tropical
growth. And no doubt sea island cotton
could be grown on the islands lying arthest
to the south, for the temperature is greatly
modified in those ATTITUDES by the vast body
of the surrounding Pacific Ocean. On most
of the islands there is rich soil to the very
shores Of the sea, and the cocoanut tree and
other fruit trees and palms grow thick both
over the valleys and hills The natives have
lived upon the fruits, yams and fish which ma
ture affords in abundance without labor and
many of them are fine, healthy looking peo-
pie. The islands south of the Equator are,
for the most part, more prolific than the Sand
witch Islands. No finer or greater yield of
sugar and coffee could be produced, probably,
in any other part Of the world. Ii the natives
can be made to labor--and England has the
knack OF making people work-or if labor can
be introduced, there is every prospect
of establishing prosperous colonies. The
greatest difficulty will be found, however to
prevent sharp English traders from carrying
on the coolie trade or from erecting sort of
slavery in that remote part of the world. Still,
colonizing the FIJI Islands will tend to destroy
cannibalism in that region and to civilize the
natives.
AS Americans we wish England success in
her efforts to colonize the unsettled parts of
the globe and to spread civilization, for the
benefit will extend to all nations and particu-
larly to those largely engaged in commerce.
Nor need there be any jealousy of England
for taking possession of the Fiji Islands, rs
there are thousands Of others in the Pacific
equally prolific and capable Of improvement
of which the United States, France. Germany
or any other Power can take possession. As
to the native sava0es cedinR their territory in