The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1893-03-09
THE HAWAIIAN QUESTION.
(Fron1 Frank Leslie's IYeekl4, Feb. 16. /.

(Fron, Frank Leslie's Weekly, Feb. 16.)
The revolution in the Hawaiian
Islands, and the demand for their
annexation to the United States
formally presented by the commits
sioners of the provisional govern
ment now in Washington, raises a
question of serious gravity and con-
cern. 1t is one that cannot be de-
termined precipitately. 1t involves
external interests of great import
ance both political and commercial,
no less than the rights of a people
who are comparatively defenseless
against stronger nations, and it must
on every account receive careful con-
sideration. We must have all the
facts in the case before determining
upon a definite and final policy.
In the first place, we must know
whether the revolution was a spon-
taneous and natural expression of
popular opinion in the islands. We
must know whether the provisional
government, which was hastily
formed, actually represents the peo-
pie. AS to this point there seems
to be some reason for doubt. 1t is
stated, upon what appears to be in
telligent authority, that while some
of the so-called "better class" favor
annexation to the United States, the
natives of the islands are for the
most part in sympathy with the de-
posed Queen. Exact information on
this point must be had. We must,
in the next place, know whether the
provisional government will be able
to maintain itself in the exercise of
the functions of distinct political
sovereignty. Obviously there must
be such a government at Honolulu
as will be capable of maintaining
order and affording ample protec-
tion and security to personal rights
and to commercial interests. We
cannot afford to surrender these ISL
ands to anarchy and misrule, any
more than we could afford, in COM
mon with Germany and Great Bri-
tain, to surrender Samoa to interne-
cine disorder.
When all the facts in the case
bearing upon these vital points have
been ascertained, what then ought
the government of the United States
to do? Is the annexation of these
islands in any sense desirable? For
our own part we cannot see that it
is. The population of the islands,
according to the latest statistics,
amounts to about ninety thousand
souls. This aggregate includes fif-
teen thousand Chinese, twelve thous-
and Japanese and nearly nine thous-
and Portuguese. The natives gen
erally y are ignorant, and wholly un-
fitted for the responsibility of repre-
sentative constitutional government
Most of the Chinese are coolies OF
the very lowest type, who have been
brought to the islands under con
tract, and are altogether unprepared
for citizenship. Are we prepared tc
swallow at one gulp this mass o.
ignorance? Obviously it would be
impossible to assimilate this peopl,
to American ideas and institutions
The question of the control of immi
grafton already taxes all the re
sources OF our craftsmanship. W.
are protesting against the admission
of immigrants representing the of
fete civilizations of Europe. We arr
barring out the Chinese by nationa
statute. How can we with any con
sistency, with our laws as they nov
are, or with any regard for the pub
lie safety, justify ourselves in alb
sorbing a population which is il
every aspect OF the case less ftteC
for assimilation than any class o
immigrants who now come to u
from abroad2
1t is not found wise to annex thes
islands, what thenl The suggestion