The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-10-07

CLHvrnarD b altogether TOD serious
| minded q statesman 30 indulge In such
| trifinR. Therefore. II the reports OF his
Intentions are In the main accurate, we
| take 1t for granted that he shares our
opinion on the general question Of the de-
sirabflity Of acquiring Hawaii. rather than
the opinion OF those who advise him that
the islands are not worth having.
Thus far all is clear enough. When we
come to the practical working OF plebls-
cite instituted In Hawaii at the instance OF
our Government. some difficult questions
arise. The Provisional Government, the
only existing authority in Hawaii. wants
annexation. 1t has said so. 1t has al
ready applied for annexation. The only
purpose Of such q plebiscite as Mr.. BLoUNr
and Mr.. CLEVELAND are said to desire.
would be to pass the question over the
head OF the existing Government TO the
population Of Hawaii, In order TO ascertain
whether the Provisional Government repre-
sents a majority OF the residents OF Hawaii
native and foreign born. The Provisional
Government would itself be on trial at the
election held to determine this quest ton.
Now. under the control Of what authority
would the plebiscite be held? Who would
determine the qualifications OF voters
Who would say. for example. whether
Japanese and Chinese coolies resident
in Hawaii should have tho right to
vote equally with the native Hawaii
ans and the solid foreign-born residents
and taxpayers OF the country Who would
prescribe the electoral regulations Who
would be in authority at the polls2 AS
hnr Ia fn ha int
under any circumstances, the supreme
power In defining the suffrage and super
vislng the election must either rest with the
present Provisional Government. already
committed to annexation and itself on
trial. or with the Government OF the United
States. directly or indirectly. II our Gov
eminent makes q favorable vote by pie
biscite condition Of further negotiations
for annexation. will It not inevitably be
compelled by the logic Of its attitude. to
prescribe the conditions under which the
plebiscite Is held?
In that event we should witness an ex-
and perplexing spectacle. We |
should behold the Federal Government Of |
The United States. which has not the con-
power to regulate State elections |
,ven here at home, regulating and SUPER |
vising an election in a foreign State. an in |
dependent country in diplomatic rela- |
ions with US. sovereign member Of |
he worlds family OF nations! II the |
'eported programme is carried out to
he extent of sending an Imposing feet |
II American war vessels to guarantee
peaceful and fair election in Hawaii, we
should behold the Government OF the
United States not only regulating foreign
election. but actually on guard over the
polls with bayonets and gun
,owderl The whole history Of Federal In
erference with local elections here at home
contains no incident approaching this in
is sensational novelty and its bewildering
INVERSION Of accepted principles.
We beg leave to call attention to the fact
hat this is the true meaning Of the project
redited to Mr.. BLoUNTs genius. and now
rightly or wrongly. to Mr..
However Federal interfer-
nee at the Hawaiian polls may be dis
.uised In the language Of diplomacy. it will
70 Federal interference at the Hawaiian
,olls none the less. II there is the
'lightest attempt on the part Of our
government to prescribe the conditions
lnder which the plebiscite is held.
We conclude. then. that the proposed
will be conducted. not by the
United States. but by the Provisional Gov
,rnment OF Hawaii.