The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1893-02-11
HEARTY EXPRESSIONS.
A Few Option, by Prominent Men
On the Issue
SHALL WE ANNEX WAII?
By CLAUS SPRECKELs.

The Examiner has asked me for an
expression OF my views on the situation
in Hawaii, With the in form alton in my
possession have very decided opinion
that the United States should proclaim
its authority over the islands in the in
terest of good government. l may, how
ever, modify this opinion upon fuller in
formation, but from my general knowl-
edge of the situation there it is very I'M
likely that l sould do SO.
1t appears that Queen Liliuokalani,
following the example OF her late broth
er, Kalakaua, attempted to establish an
absolute government and failed. A Pro-
visional Government has been establish
ed, and is sustained by the moral force
of the foreign residents and the armed
support of volunteers, while the United
States stands in the background with the
Boston" to maintain order and prevent
a conflict between the natives and the
foreign population who represent the
capital and intelligence of the country.
1t is clear to any sensible person that
this state OF things cannot continue in
definitely without serious injury to bust
ness and prop erty. Life may also be
imperiled. Under these circumstances,
and inasmuch as the bulk of all invest
ments on the islands represents Ameri-
can capital, and as the majority of for
eign residents are American citizens,
take it that it is the duty of the Ameri-
can Government to intervene and pro-
tect American interests.
What shape this Intervention should
assume is not for me to say, but annexa-
ton would appear to be the most direct
and effective. When a country becomes
unable to govern itself, and has in its
care the property OF foreigners, it be-
comes the duty of the countries interest
ed to protect their own citizens. In this
case the United States has the preponde-
rating influence and therefore it is its
duty to act. / have no doubt that if our
government annexed Hawaii and gave
guarantees to the other Powers that the
rights of their subjects would be respect
ed and public credit maintained, there
would be no objection OH their part.
And | have as little doubt that the ma
tive Hawaiians would soon come to rec
ognize the advantage of becoming citi-
ZeTS Ol tll0 OUlIcI anu llNluS
der the protection of a strong Govern
ment.
From what have said you may reas-
onably conclude that favor annexation
of the Hawaiian Islands by the United
-. States and the establishment Of a Terri
torial Government, which would be sat
isfactory, because unbiased and just, to
both natives and foreigners
CLAUS SPRECKELs
Senator Stanford-We ought to
add the Sandwich Islands to our ter
ritory. We don't particularly need
them. They are a good way off, the
government of them will cause us
considerable trouble and expense,
and the islands will not be OF much
use to us. The people, as rule, are
ignorant and undesirable. But we
ought to take possession of them if
we can do it fairly in order to shut
out any other power. do not think
we can afford to let England step in
and establish herself, and do not
believe that the other European ne-
tions would look with favor on such
a proceeding.
M. S. Grinbaum-The revolution
is a thing of the past. There is
now provisional government in the
hands of the best people in the isl
ands, who have large interests at
stake. They could do not do other
than they have done. The Queen had
overstepped her authority and turn
ed out a suitable ministry and put in
another in which the business men
had no confidence. Ii the United
States don't annex the islands there
is no question but that England will
the government can't remain as it
now Is.
WILMINGTON (Del.), Feb. 2 = Hon
George I'll. Bates, who was American
Commissioner to Samoa during the
investigation of 1889, said to day
speaking of Hawaiian annexation:
Honolulu is nearer to Washing
ton than Alaska, and vastly nearer
than California at the time it was
incorporated in the Union. The
necessities of modern commerce re
quire adequate coaling stations in
the Pacific, both for our naval yes
sells, which are helpless without coal
and also as stations for repairs and
supplies for our commercial marine
and for places of refuge in case oil
danger. We had a striking illustra
ton of the necessity of coaling sta
tions for the navy at the time of the
furry in Samoa early in 1889. Will
Hawaii as an American Territory
and with the rights which we already
possess in Samoa, and with a new
chance, 1 hope to to see given Ameri
can shipping interests, we should
have literally what Mr.. Blaine fifty
termed the key to the maritime do
minion of the Pacific"
+. S. Pratt, Consul General for the
Hawaiian Islands, said, in response
to question as to the probable effec
of the revolution on business with
California and the probability of an
nexatlon: 81 do not think the revolu
ton will affect business at all. The
commission selected by the Provi
sional Government to consult il
relation to annexation will discharge
their duties as they have been in
structed to, and the Provisional Gov
vernment at home will see that orde,
is preserved and property protected
This ic in fact q mOvamant ~ a.