The Pacific commercial advertiser., 1893-03-04
A BRITISH VIEW OF ANNEXATI0H

situation. This article probably
represents the best English opinion
on this question. The attitude of
the Imperial Government shows
that it has no idea of protesting
| against annexation. The mutual
jealousy and hostility which still
subsists to some extent between
Great Britain and the United
States is unreasonable a,i unnat-
ural. If all .H75wspapers took as
r@c.onal u view of the situation as
the Financial News, there would
be less of this feeling
The question Of possible annexa-
ton has been under discussion be-
fore, and the Democrats have op,
posed it as being contrary to the
established policy of the United
States; nevertheless, it is probably
the very best thing that could hap
pen to Hawaii. The native Govern
ment has always been a dire failure.
Revolutionary movements have been
frequent, conspiracies have been al
most of annual occurrence, and it has
been self evident for long time that
the white mans influence must be de
| jure as well as de facto predominant
If the islands are to do any perma-
nent good for themselves. This is
not orthodox doctrine, we know.
| Great Britain has always, for some
occult reason or other, opposed Amer
lean annexation but the logical
necessities Of the case must, in the
| long run, override our commercial
jealousy These logical necessities
are summed up in three simple facts:
| O The native monarchy has been a
fraud and a failure; (2) a British
protectorate is quite out of the ques-
ton; and (3) the Americans have, by
reason of geographical position, com
mercial relationship, and local infu-
ence, the paramount claim to govern
the islands if the Inhabitants desire
that they should do so.
Our interests in Hawaii, which is
both commercial and financial, does
not amount to a great deal. Some
100000 Six per Cent. Hawaiian
Bonds are held in this country, the
interest on which has hitherto been
regularly paid. The position, how
ever, is not too encouraging. In 1891
the exports exceeded the imports by
about S3,000,000; SO that the balance
of trade is in favor of the islands
The estimated revenue for the bien-
NAL period of 1S90-92 was S2,77O,2S2
and the expenditure $2,766,O53 -
which does not leave very substan
tial margin. Altogether, the debt
internal and external, amounts to
S3,217, ,161. In their proclamation tC
the people, the Committee of Public
Safety say: "We firmly believe that
unless radical measures are taken
our already damaged credit abroad
will be wrecked, and final ruin viii
come upon our already overstraine6
financial condition" If the interest:
of the English bondholder alone were
consulted, it seems certain that
American annexation would be the
very best thing that could happen fol
him. A six per cent. bond with the
guarantee of the United States Gov
ernment would be most desirable
security to hold, and would com
mand a high price in the market
British capital is also invested in thu
Hawaiian Tramways Company, an(
whatever may be the prospects o
that undertaking, they would b,
very much improved under a strong
and capable government. The shak.
political conditions of the past fivt
years have upset confidence in tht
Hawaiian monarchy, and retarded
commercial enterprise. 1t follow
that under more stable conditions al
kinds of business would becomt
healthier and sounder.
We believe that it would be yer,
much better for Hawaii to be annex
ed out and out than for the island
to be ruled by local government
nominally independent, but reall.
taking it's instructions direct from
Washington. Great Britain Nigh
very properly assent to annexation
on condition that British rights were
protected, and that our commercial
relations with Hawaii were not il
any way prejudiced. Still, we hav,
no great voice in the matter at all
considering that 81 per cent. of tn,
trade of the islands is with th'
United States. To all intents anC
purposes, Hawaii is already a small
American colony-Honolulu is up t,
date with American ideas and Gus
toms-and no harm could ensue t
anyone if the bond of connection
were made as tight i'll name as 1t i
in reality. The inevitable course o.
history is that these pettifoggins
monarchies should disappear, anC
that the communities which they in
adequately represent should be alb
sorbed in the greater States OF th'
world. Ii the American Legislature
be reluctant to undertake the dut!
which is thrust upon it, some othe
country will have to step in; for Ha
waii cannot be left to become th'
victim of internal convulsion and tht
riyalries of political intrigue.