The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1893-11-16
THE HAWAIIAN lsLANDs-Do WE WANT
THsM2

The Presidents position on the cues
tion of the annexation of the Hawaiian
Islands is exciting universal discussion.
There Is developed three opinions
among intelligent Americans:
FIRsT-Those who believe we should
annex these islands as part of the u, s.
and give them representation in Wash
ingtOn.
SECoND-Those who think we should
protect the present Provisional Govern.
ment, 80 called, that obtained control
through revolution, aided by the U. s.
Minister there, and the u. ). marines.
THIRD Those who believe that the
present Provisional Government was
secured through conspiracy against
the Queen, aided and abetted by the
u. 5. Minister and U. s. marines, and
that it is the duty of the U. s. to re-
store the Queen, and allow the
natives to manage their own govern
ment In their own way, without threats
or armed intimidation by the U. s.
So far, the Democratic leaders, in and
out of Congress, with the exception of
Senator Morgan, of Alabama, are de-
claring against annexation; but many
favor PIosectorate, with close treaty
negotiations, SO as to secure the trade
OF the islands.
The leading Republicans seem to take
kindly to annexation, and as the Har-
rison administration recognized the
Provisional Government. Those who
have not investigated the matter seem
to favor the continued recognition of
the Provisional Government.
Both President Cleveland and Secre-
tary Gresham are agreed, that the
Provisional Government is not in ac-
cord with public opinion on the islands,
and that 1t is the result of a conspiracy
aided by the armed forces
of the U. s. acting without authority
aud without justification.
1t is conceded by the highest Repub-
llcan authority that the revolution, by
which the Queen was dethroned, was
the result OF a conspiracy, and that
rascality aud robbery of the usophisti-
Gated and gulliDle natives was the in
spring motive of the highly specula-
tive Yankees, who scared the young
Queen off her throne and captured her
royal diadems.
AS the Hawaiian question is a live
topic, let us see what there Is worth
having In these far away islands, either
In desirable population or resources.
The natives of the Sandwich Islands
are Polynesians, said to be branch of
the ancient Toltec race of Mexico.
They are entirely distinct from the
Malays, or the Africans, or the North
American Indians.
The islands were first discovered by
Spanish navigator in 1912. Captain
Cook visited the islands in 1878. He
was received with unbouuded hospital
ity and reverence by the natives, which
he abused, and they killed him on the
l4th OF February, 1879, and on the fol-
lowing day they ate him, as they were
cannibals and idol worshippers at that
time. 1t Is estimated that the islands
contained a population of 100000 at the
time OF Captain Cooks visit.
The hrsJ Christian missionaries ar
rived in 1920, seven in number, and
from that time forward European CIV
iliZatton has been at work. The stats.
tics show that the Sandwich Islanders
cannot stand our kind OF civilization.
In 1882, when the first regular census
was taken the native population was
only 130, ,143; in 1886 it was 1OS,579; in
1853, 74,l37; in 1860, 69,7O0; in 1872,
56,S97; in 1884, 400l4; and
at this time the entire native
population of the entire group of
twelve islands is probably not larger
than the present population of Canton,
81, 900. The foreign population, how
ever, has largely increased, and there
are now on the islands, 5000 Ameri-
cans, three thousand English, 10000
Portuguese, 700 Cinnamon, 1000 Ger
mans, and about 1000 of other Euro
pean nationalities.
These islands are twelve in number,
and are situated between latitude 1850
and 22:5O, seven days sail from San
Francisco, and contain total area of
about 9, 400 square miles,
1t is estimated that the islands con-
tain about 100000 acres of grazing
land, besides 300 900 acres of arabic
land. Sugar is the principal product
There are about 80 plantations, with an
annual product of about 10000 tons,
besides molasses.
The climate is equable and healthful
with an average temperature at Homo
lula, the capital, of 70 7deg,
1t has been clearly demonstrated that
the native population of these islands
cannot survive the trials of modern
civilization. These natives seem to
absorb readily all the vices OF the Anglo
Saxon race, bat have not sufficient
vitality to stand the diseases of
that race. When any malady hits q
native OF the Sandwich Islands IL hits
him dead. 1t is also claimed by Wal
lace, in his review of the causes of the
rapid decline of the native populations
that the introduction of clothes has
had much to do with 1t. While clothes
In the United States sometimes makes
the man, in the Sandwich Islands
clothes have unmade the savage, and
have destroyed the man.
The commercial value of these faI
away islands, In these far away seas, is
the only consideration worth consider
ing; and If 1t is to be our policy to build
wall of Protection around the u Uuited
| States and shut out foreign
trade, and wipe American commerce
from the seas and oceans of the world
we don't want the Sandwich Islands.
But if the Democratic policy Is tC
prevail, and we are to extend our trade
to the great provinces of Central and
South America, and the great CONT.
mental island of Australia, and th'
islands of the South Pacific seas, ther
we want commercial treaty with tht
Sandwich Islands or Protectorate.
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