The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-12-21

transfer of the Hawaiian territory tc
Ihe United States, he addressed LONG
ietter TO the secretary of state in which
the cause for annexation
ELABoRATELY ARGUED
on moral, political and economical
grounds. He refers to the loss of the
Hawaiian sugar interests from the
operation of the Mckinley bill and
tendency to still further depreciate
sugar property unless some positive
measures of relief was granted. He
strongly lnveighs against the existing
! hawaiian government and emphati-
cally declares for annexation. He saws,
In that monarchy here is absurd ana.
chronism. 1t has nothing on which il
logically or legitimately stands, the
federal basis on which it once stood no
longer existing. The monarchy now
is only an impeachment to good govern.
ment and an obstruction to the pros
perlty and progress of the islands -
he further says: "As crown colony
OF Great Britain or territory
OF the United States government
notifications could be made readily
and good administration of law Sc
cured. The destiny and vast future
interests of the United States in the
Pacific clearly indicates who, at
distant day, may be responsible for
the government of these islands.
UNDER TERRITORIAL GOVERNMENT
they could be as easily governed as
any of the existing territories of the
United States. Hawaii has reached
the parting of the WAYS. She must
now take the road which leads to Asia
or the other which outlets her in
America, gives her American civiliza-
tion and binds to her the cares of
American destiny" He also declares:
One OF Two courses seems to be abso .
iutely necessary to be followed: Either
bold and vigorous measures for aunex-
alton or a customs union and ocean
cable from the California coast to
Honolulu, Pearl harbor perpetually
ceded to the United States with i'm
piled, but not expressly stipulated,
american protectorate over the
Islands. believe the former to be the
better, that which will prove
much more advantageous to the
Islands and the cheapest and least
embarrassing in the end to the United
States. If it was wise for the United
States, through Secretary Marcy 38
years ago, to offer to expend 100000
to secure treaty of annexation, it GER
tainly cannot be chimerical or unwise
to e1pend 100000 to secure annexa-
tlon in the near future. Today the
United States has fl We times the wealth
she possessed in 1854, and the reasons
now existing for annexation are much
stronger than then. | cannot refrain
from expressing an opinion with en-
phasis that the golden hour is near at
hand"
These declarations certainly show
and condition of mind
which may be usefully recalled when
INTERPRETING THE SIGNIFICANCE
Of the minister's conceded acts or
when considering the probabilities of
such conduct on his part as may not be
admitted. In this view it seems prop
er to also quote a letter written by the
minister to the secretary of state on
the Sth day of March, 1892,
nearly a year prior to the
first step taken towards annexa-
tion. After stating the possibility
that the existing government of Hawaii
might be overturned by an orderly
and peaceful revolution, Minister
Stevens writes as follows: "Ordi-
narily. in like circumstances, the rule
seems to be to limit the landing and
of the United States forces
n foreign waters and dominion ex-
to protection of the United
States legation and of the lives and
of American citizens But as
;he relations of the United States to
Hawaii are exceptional and in former
years the United States officials here
;ook somewhat exceptional action in
of disorder, l desire to
know how far the present minister
Ind naval commander may deviate
rom established international rules
ind precedents in the contingencies
Indicated in the first part of this dis.
patch" To a minister of this temper,
ull of
ZEAL FOR ANNEXATION,
here seemed to arise in January, 1893,
he precise opportunity for which he
vas watchfully waiting. an oppor-
unity by which timely deviation |
rom established International rules |
md precedents might he proved to |
uccessfully accomplish the great OBJ.
ect in view, and We are quite prepared |
or the exultant enthusiasm with |
which in letter to the state depart
nent, dated Feb. 1, 1893, he declares: |
The Hawaiian pear is now fully ripe,
nd this is the golden hour for the
United States to pluck it," AS fur
her illustration of the activity of this
diplomatic representative attention is
allied to the fact that on the day |
.bove named letter was written,
vhen apparently unable to restrain
lis ardor. he issued a proclamation
Whereby 'in the name of the United
tates he assumed the protection of
he Hawaiian islands, and declared
hat said action was taken pending
nd subject to negotiations at Wash
ngton." Of course this
ASSUMPTION OF A PRoTECToRATE
,as promptly disavowed by our gov
but the American flag re
lained over the government building
t Honolulu and forces remained on
uard until April and after Blonnt's
rival on the scene, when both were
A brief statement of the occurrences
yl,ioh Ied I'm tha snhvarsiOn of the con.