New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-29
TILE HAUIII1N RETOLET


The news from San Francisco of the revolu-
tion in Hawaii. the dcthronement Of the Queen,
the abolition Of the monarchy, the establish
ment of n Provisional Government with JUS
tice Sanford b. Dole ut its head, and the ar
rival in this country of a delegation instructed
- negotiate for the annexation TO the | nited
States of the Hawaiian group, brings at once
before our statesmen questions OF most deli
cate. complicated and momentouS nature. In
their determination other matters are involved.
and not remotely besides the fate OF Hawaii
and our policy in the Pacific. Whatever may
be the resolution our Government forms in the
impending application, It's significance as Il
precedent will he apparent to all the islands
south of us and 10 every European Cabinet
that thinks itself concerned in the political
relations of tho States and dependencies near
our borders II has been apparent for half
century that the circumstances would incvi-
taby arise and might arise at any moment,
their occurrence being dependent on forces and
conditions quite beyond our control when a
specific declaration Of our purposes to
ultramaline jurisdiction could be no longer
avoided And yet, reluctant have been our
people and their successive Administrations to
anticipate such an occasion, that the arrival
of these Hawaiian delegates with express pro-
resals of annexation finds American public
sentiment but slightly cry>tallized and ma
iority Of our public men doubtless still inclined
toward the traditional view. which prefers that
our influence over the islands in either ocean
be cxerted through native Governments rather
than by protcctoratcS or a closer union.
From the high character OF the Hawaiian
delegation not less than from the acute Situa
ton at Honolulu it is clear that our treatment
Of the question presented TO us must he full,
frank and prompt. The authority of the Queen
has been completely overthrow. Tho Pro-
vsional President. Justice Dole is well known
in this county as a man OF influence at home,
of learning and authority, whose position
against royal uSurpaton has been always firm
and generally effective. His colleagues are
members Of the nobility, each of whom has
been conspicuous in the affairs of The Govern
mcnt for many years. The Advisory Council
is composed of prominent public men and mcr
chants thoroughly representative of the for
cign and Of the progressive native sentiment
Of the islands. which is that of all the people |
really concerned in their future. The revolu
ten was invited by the fanatical follieS and |
by all the population who own property pay |
taxes and possess vital interest in the orderly |
operation Of law. II does not seem 10 have |
been opposed by any formidable force. and the
Government evolved from it is conducting the
task Of administration with the evident APP !
prOval of the public. Not less significant is
Inc fact that the revolutionary forces know
precisely what they want and agree in formal
and explicit statement of it, Their Commits
siOnerS to lis have been chosen from among
their ablest and most influential citizens, two
Of whom have been Prime Ministers and Presi-
dents of the General Assembly
The United States can never consent to let |
It's influence in the Hawaiian Islands be second
TO that of any other Power. If this obvious
requirement could he assured and a sufficient
native Govcrnmen. be maintained without the
necessity on our part Of exercising ultimate
authority or assuming final responsibilities, il |
is quite certain that the disposition Of The
American people would be satisfied. But every
since the Kamehamcha Dynasty
was founded has been more or less occupied
with acts for its preservation. II has been
To intervene successfully and repeat
eddy with England. France and Germany 10
prevent assumptions Of authority on their part
which would have promptly reduced the King
dom 10 European dependency. Mr.. Webster.
Mr.. Marcy, Mr.. Seward, Mr. EvanS and Mr..
Blaine hay, each in tuIr addressed European
Cabinets in phases which placed us in the
position OF a prctcctoiatc Power and plainl,
expressed our purpose 10 resist and prevent
the exercise Of any foreign influence in the
islands superior TO or at variance with our own.
We have admitted Hawaii to commercial rca-
tons that border on absolute free trade. Her
foreign commerce is almost exclusively con
Quoted with lis. Her great productive proper
ties are with scarcely an exception held by
American citizens. How long the relation can
'ontinuc which has resulted from these con
ltionS, how long We can be paramount with
ont being responsible. is difficult and now n
rcssing question. II must be recognized. at
east. that we arc close upon the time when
he traditional hostility in the United. States
toward an extension Of authority if not also
If territory. among the islands near our coasts
must to some extent give way t. the necessities
4 our ncrCaSing commerce.