The morning call., 1891-03-20
HAWAII AND CUBA.

The decision of the Supreme Court of
Hawaii confirming the right of Queen
LlliuOkalani to choose new Cabinet, prob
ably po5tpones the revolution which Ad-
miral Brown predicted The Queen and her
advisers will at any rate have a short lease
of power. How long they will last will de-
pend, first on their conduct, and, secondly,
on the sugar crop. Sooner or later Gov
ernment by Kanakas and steered by few
foreigners must necessarily collapse; but it
may endure for several years.
1t is curious that two island groups, which
are among the largest producers of sugar in
the world and examples of fertility gen.
orally, and both OF which lie off the coast of
the United States, should be simultaneously
in transition state. The Hawaiian group
is awaiting its absorption. in one way or
another. by the United States. and is keep
ing up the semblance of independent self
government until the fated hour arrives.
Cuba is aln0s! in as uncertain a state With
unexampled resources and products OF un-
told value it is bankrupt, and is only re-
tanned by Spain through the force of
bayonets. With population of 100000
souls, negroes and Cinnamon included, the
annual taxation amounts to S33, 100000, and
the consequence is that neither industry nor
agriculture is profitable. The taX-gatherer
takes the net earnings Of both 1t is said
that only one-tenth Of the resources of the
island are in course of exploitation. Vast
forests of mahogany are being cut down for
fuel and great tracts Of cleared land lie
falow. That such colony Should be
drag on the mother country goes without
saying. For how much Of the Spanish debt
OF 81 ,20O, ,0000O Cuba is responsible it is
difficult to say, but it must figure for quite
large part
1t has been the idea Of the United States
for more than a generation that both these
island groups should be brought under the
American flag, for their sake as well rs for
the security Of our coasts. In the old slav-
cry days the authorities at Washington
tried to buy Cuba, intending to cut ii up
into new slave States, which would have
offset the new grain States in the North
west. Spain would not consent. National
pride forbade. AT The present time the stu
alton has somewhat changed. Far-seeing
American statesmen still desire to annex
Cuba, though net in the interest of slavery;
and it has sometimes seemed of late years
that Spain's aversion to sell is not as de-
termined as it was. No direct proposition
has ever been made, but it is thought that
when the next instruction takes place in
the island an offer might be made which
would be seriously considered at Washing
ton. Cuba and Porto Rico would be far
more valuable acquisitions than the Danish
colonies, which General Grant was so
anxious TO purchase.
1t will probably fall TO the lot of some
future President to add both island groups
TO the territory Of the Union. They would
constitute advanced posts in time of war,
and valuable additions to our productive
area in time OF peace. The acquisition of
Cuba might eventually involve the transfer
of all the West Indies to American do
minion. Neither England France nor Dem
mark derive the least benefit from the pos
session of the Islands which float their flags.
They are constant source of expense, and
in time of war they are vulnerable points
which it might be difficult to defend. AS
territories Of the United States they might
become self-supporting aud more prosperous
than they are.
An idea was once entertained that the
West Indies might be converted into negro
States, into which the slave population of