The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-11-22

The Hawaiian islands appear to be in q
state Of ferment consequent upon the
VIGOROUSLY weak and inefficient govern
ment of the present queen. The question
is often asked whether these islands are
ever likely to be annexed to the United
States. Our government is committed
against any policy of annexing these
islands, but it is also committed against
allowing them to pass under the con-
troll OF any other nation. This policy of
protection and non-interference has made
American influence strong in these islands.
From the presidency of Tyler down to that
OF Harrison the United States has been re-
garded as the defender of Hawaii against
absorption by any European power. In
1s42 Daniel Webster, Tyler's secretary of
state, said:
The United States has no peculiar advantage.
no exclusive control over the Hawaiian govern
ment but is coutented with its independent ex-
istence and anxiousy wishes for its security and
prosperity. Its forbearance in this respect under
the circumstances OF the very large utter
course of their citizens with tho islands would
justify this government, should events here
after arise to require it, In making a decided
remonstrance against the adoption of an oppo-
site policy by any other power.
Mr.. Webster, when secretary of state to
President Fillmore, said:
While the government of the United States
Itself faithful to its original assurance, scrupu-
lousy regards the Independence OF the Ha-
waiian islands, it can never consent to see those
islands taken possession OF by either OF the
great commercial powers OF Europe; nor can it
consent that demands manifesty unjust and de-
rogatory, aud inconsistent with a bona fide in-
dependence. shall be enforced against that gov.
eminent.
In November, 1S43, an agreement was
signed between France and Great Britain
announcing that the sovereigns Of these
two countries shave thought it right to en-
gage reciprocally to consider the Sand
wich islands as an independent state, and
never to take possession either directly or
under title of protectorate, or under any
other form, of any part of tho territory of
which they are composed"
Great Britain cannot therefore con-
sent to establish any protectorate
over these islands. President Fillmore's
declaration that the desire of our govern
ment was that the Sandwich islands "shall
great maritime state. but shall remain in
an independent condition, and so be &C.
cessible and useful to the commerce of all
nations" was made after the discovery Of
gold in California, so that he was enabled
to say that 1.-The importance of these con-
siderations has been greatly enhanced by
the sudden and vast development which
the interests Of the United States have OBJ
tanned In California and Oregon, and the
policy heretofore adopted in regard to these
islands will be steadily pursued"
Secretary of State Marcy disavowed any
intent on the part of the United States to
attempt the exercise of any exclusive con.
troll on the Sandwich islands, but added
that we are also resolved "that no other
power or state shall exact any political or
commercial privileges from them which
we are not permitted to enjoy. far less to
establish any protectorate Over them.
1t is indispensable to our welfare
that the policy which governs them should
be liberal and that it should continue free
from control of any third country" Sec
rotary Fish, under Grants administration.
said:
tits very clear that this government can not
be expected to assent to their transfer from their
present control to that of any powerful mari
time or commercial nation. Such transfer to
maritime power would threaten q military
surveillance in the Pacific similar to that which
bermuda has afforded il the Atlantic.
And finally Secretary Blaine in his first
term, said on the same subject:
The position OF the Hawaiian islands in the
vicinity of our Pacific coast. and their intimate
commercial and political relations with us, lead
this government to watch with grave interest
and TO regard uniavorably. any movement, nego-
tiation, or discussion aiming to transfer them
III any eventuaiity whatever to another power
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