The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1893-03-09

is that we might establish a protec-
torate. But this assumes our right
to the exercise of a controlling au-
thority, and that seems to us to be
wholly inadmissible. Everything in
the practice of our country is against
such precedent. 1t is wholly for
eign to the traditions of American
diplomacy, and, if it should be
adopted, would prove an innovation
most difficult of application and un-
certain in results. The suggestion
that the islands might be governed
as territory by commissioners APP
pointed at Washington is equally
inadmissible. We would involve our
selves by either course in immense
perplexities at the cost of surren-
dering policy which has been justi-
fies by long experience.
The only argument which so far |
has been advanced as justification
for the annexing of the islands or
the establishment of some positive
government authority over them is
that their possession is necessary to
the national defense. 1t is said that
we cannot maintain our commerce
in the Pacific unless we are able to
control the Hawaiian Islands. The
States and Territories which have
outlets on the Pacific will, within
two or three decades, have popula-
tion of many millions. The agricul-
ture, lumber, fisheries, and mineral
wealth will supply constantly en-
larging streams of commerce, making
it, in the opinion of those who favor
annexation, imperative that we
should have such possessions in the
Pacific as will enable us to maintain
our supremacy against all competi-
tors in the commercial world. AS
vital step to this end we must have,
it is argued, naval and supply sta
tions for our merchant marine, as
we'll as for our ships of war. There
is some force in this argument. But
it is to be remembered that as to
Honolulu we already have a treaty
which gives us the exclusive right to
a naval station in Pearl River harbor.
AS yet, it is true, the government has
not availed itself of this exclusive
right, but if it is of such vital i'm
portance, as alleged, we can do so
before the expiration of the treaty
next year. 1t is not at all necessary
to annex the islands, or to establish
protectorate in order to possess
ourselves of station at that point.
And it is to be remembered on this
general point that when it was pro-
posed, years ago, to acquire San Do
mingo, on the ground that it was an
important key to any adequate sys-
tenn Of national defense, the propo-
sition was rejected by the Senate
with the approval of the country.
AS to the suggestion that we should
absorb the islands because their
possession is greatly desired by
Great Britain, we fail to see its force.
As a matter of fact, the British gov
ernment has done nothing to justify
belief that it has any inordinate
longing for this island group. State
ments made in the British House of
Commons go to show that it does
not propose to interfere in any way
with the existing situation with a
view to acquiring predominance.
1t is undoubtedly true that con-
ditions have enormously changed
since the original adoption of our
policy concerning. colonial expan-
sion. Then our commerce was in
, considerable; now it reaches every
sea and is a. supreme factor of the
national prosperity. Then the terri
, torial domain did not include, as it
) does now, vast possessions on the
Pacific coast. We were not then ex-
posed in that quarter, as now, to
, peril from hostile Powers. But it is
. also true that this policy has been
largely justified by the events of
Y history, and that, on broad grounds,
the same reasons which operated to
{ procure its adoption exist to-day as
, ground for it's continuance. We fail
| to see, upon review of the whole
y case, how we can, with any propriety,
: interfere with the autonomy of the
$ Hawaiian Islands. We are not bound
5 to accede to their request, even if it
: should be unanimously made, for
a annexation. We are under no obi
r cation to supply them a form of
q government, or to make ourselves
q responsible for the maintenance
= there of one form or another of local
n administration. Our utmost duty
!, in the premises is to secure adequate
q protection for our own interests, and
@ so far as may be, in the ordin.
f ary course of diplomacy, to pre-.
i vent the establishment in the
t islands of any supremacy that would
II be avowedly hostile to us. What we
o need for the present is intelligent
), careful, and considerate regard for
s justice and fair play, based upon the
q actual facts and conditions of the
l. case.
, job Printing neatly and prompH,
:. erecnted at the BULLETIN Office