The record-union., 1893-01-30
THE HAWAIIAN SITUATION.

The revolution in Hawaii presents to
the people of the United States a question
that is not to be decided off-hand nor
passed upon hastily. We take it that no
one is prepared at this moment to posi-
lively pronounce for or against annexa-
ton, for great deal must depend upon
details not yet brought into prominence.
1t is the American policy not to seek
territorial acquisitions, and we will not
depart from it without the strongest pos
sible reasons being advanced. In this
case we do not seek, but the territory in
volved comes to us by representatives of
a suddenly constructed revolutionary
government which is in possession, and
would seem to represent the vast major
ity Of the intelligent people of Hawaii
and an enormous preponderance of capi-
tai, property and business interests.
Hawaii is Of such importance as the
halfway house between the United States
and the Orient. and as the key to the
North Pacific is of such value for naval
stations, coaling resorts and harbors of
refuge from storms, thatits relation to the
country lying nearest to it is closer, and
must so remain than to any other nation
Again, its products find their chief
market in the United States, and from
the latter Hawaii draws seven-tenths of
all her imports. OF her white population
five out of eight in Hawaii are American
born or, if Hawaiian born, are of Ameri-
can parentage. In the matter of political
and sentimental feeling the people of
Hawaii are more inclined to the United
States than to any other country. The
laws of the kingdom are modelled more
after those of the United States and the
language most spoken is the English
tongue.
But Hawaii has heterogeneous popu-
lation. The natives of Hawaiian blood
would be no desirable addition to our
population; they have no enlarged idea
of or care for republican institutions;
they are not an industrious people, nor
are they susceptible in any notable de-
gree to that political education necessary
to their becoming desirable in our citi-
zenship.
on the other hand, they are gradually
but surely dying out as race, and must
eventually disappear, but in the meantime
they would in the Union become the sport
of designing politicians. TIE white popu-
lation. however, is of a superior order,
both in intellectual and business capac-
ity, and would be desirable element to
add to any country. 1t dominates in the
islands now and certainly will continue
to do so. The very large coolie popula-
ers make the acceptance of Hawaii most
undesirable. But it is the common judg-
ment that if Hawaii is to be put under
new control, and that it is to be that of
some powerful nation, no other than the
American can be permitted to take the
islands. On that question there is really
10 ulNlSAOu Oh S6ublDi6ul. ASSUMING
the monarchy, which at best has been
weak affair, almost burlesque upon royal
form and system, is overthrown perma-
nently, that it cannot be reinstated and
that the people will with arms success
fully resist any effort to restore it. the
question arises, cannot such people es-
tablish and maintain a free Government
which would bear such friendly relation
to us as to give us the same advantages
we would enjoy if Hawaii were annexed?
Would not such a Government, placed
under an American protectorate perhaps,
be infinitely better for the Hawaiians,
make them self-reliant and develop them
into strong State greatly sooner than if
their territory was annexed to ours?
1t must be soberly considered whether
we would act the part of wisdom by in