The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-10-30
ENGLISH EFFORTS IN HAWAII.
For Fifty Years Trying to Secure Con
troll Of the Desirable Islands.


Pacific, in accordance with "the boun-
Diary line agreed upon for the delim-
itation of the British and German
spheres" =" This seems tolerably cool.
Is all the independent or unoccupied
territory Of the world to be grasped by
Great Britain or Germany for their
aggrandizement, and without the con-
sent or even consultation with other
powers? From the Melbourne Leader
1t is learned that ''the annexation of
the Solomon Islands on behalf OF
Great Britain by one of the vessels of
the Australian squadron has been re-
ceived with general acquescence. The
group lies within the limits Of British
influence agreed upon by the arrange.
ment made some time ago with Ger
many, and is too far away from the
scope of French activity to furnish any
possible ground Of objection from that
quarter"
The immediate reason Of the annex
alton has not been made public, though
it is doubtless considered wise 10 carry
through the policy of picking up any
unconsidered trifes in the way of un-
appropriated territory without any fur
ther delay. 1t is true that nothing has
ever been heard that was favorable to
the Solomon Islands except that the
natives afford labor for the Queensland
sugar plantation slave trade, and this
annexation will not stop recruiting
among these savages, who are not
averse to ''long pig" 1t is peculiar
that the Australian sugar growers, like
Mr. Claus Spreckels, favor slave labor.
Is it imperative in these days of Chris
tianity and civilization that each spoon
full of sugar that sweetens our coffee
must be associated with contract coolie
labor, abducted savages, and the lash ?
What irony there is in the sugar bowl
II is only the possible dinger of
complications with the United States
that has kept English hands off Hawaii,
where her eyes have been turned dur
ing half century with a loving glance.
Just fifty years ago, in IS4s, Lord
George Paulet seized the Hawaiian
Islands in the Queens name and forced
from King Kamehameha III deed of
cession. In consequence OF the pro-
test of Commodore Kearney of the
United States navy, the Hawaiian flag
was restored five months later, in July,
rS43, and Lord George Paulet's act
Of seizure disayowed. The next overt
act on the part of the English at Ha-
waii was in advocating the claims of
Queen Emma, the widow of Kameha-
meha w., in opposition to Kaakaua,
who was elected King in 1874, though
certain publications in the New York
Tribune of July 20, 1884, had given
the British Consul General at Homo.
lulu weapons to fight against the best
interests Of the United States.
The case of the late Queen Dowager
Emma bears some similarity to that of
Princess Kaiulani, the protegee of Mr..
Theophilus Davies. The fathers of
both these sprigs of royalty we're
Engishmen and both the claimants to
the crown Of Hawaii had received their
education in England, Both had
English backing and American oppos-
ton, the ascendency Of either meaning
English dominancy The defeat Of
Queen Emma was accompanied by a
riot, quickly quelled by Commodore,
now Admiral, Belknap and Commander
Skerrett, who now represents the Amer
ican navy at Honolulu. The British
commander of H M. S Tenedos, then
in Honolulu, absented himself on the
day, returning after the riot was quelIed,
and being relieved OF his command
upon the return Of his vessel to Eng
land.
The reciprocity treaty established
between the United States and Hawaii
IN 1876 was the cause Of British objec.
tions, the English claiming similar CON
cessions for the free admission of her
articles Of trade as were granted 10
American go ds, England, however,
making no reciprocal concessions. But
this is way that England has. Even
Lord Clarendon gfve away his case
when making the claim by saving :
Great Britain cannot, as matter
OF right, claim the same advantages for
her trade, under the STR ct letter of the
treaty Of 1889 The NEST attractive
factor IN creating this tempest in the
English trade teapot was Major Wode-
house, who is still the British rcpresen.
tatlve at Honolnlu ard very intimate
personal friend of Mr.. Theophilus II.
Davies, who is now urging the claims
Of Princess kalulani. Even then MIR.
Davies was the power behind the
throne.
The American Minister, Mr.. Comfy,
reported that "Mr. Theo. IL. Davies
acting British Consul, General, a merch.
ant doing large business here" had
written demanding "a refund Of duties
paid under pr lest" The al i'm was
referred to the Hawaiian courts but a
d mand was made "for diplomatic
settlement" But the Hawaiian Gov
eminent decided to leave the case in
the courts, ~hereupon Major Wode-
house wrote "a severe reply" This