The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-03-05
Tho Claims Of Hawaii.

The discussion OF the Hawaiian question
has naturally proceeded for the most part
on tho basis of the benefit which annexa-
ton may bring to the United States. Blu
It Is well also to put ourselves for a time in
Hawaif's place, and to look at the problem
with her eyes.
Hawaii has long been led to believe that
the peculiar relations assumed by the
United States toward her. in the face Of
European powers. would end in her absorp-
ton into tho American system. Whenever
she should find that her independence and
prosperity could not be- maintained
outside. Twenty-Five years ago President
ANDREW JOHNSON. in recommending a rec
iproclty treaty which MI. SEWARD had
negotiated, declared hat such n treaty,
while not materially diminishing our rev.
enues. would be u guarantee OF the good
will and forbearance OF all nations. until
the people of tho stands shall Of themselves.
at no distant day. voluntarily apply for adj
mission to the Union" This prophetic ut
terance. which has nov come to pass. was
in perfect accord with the actual treaty OF
annexation that had been negotiated many
years before. under Secretary MARCY. and
which Ind been dropped on account Of the
death Of the King. as his successor did not
desire to ratlfy it. and the immediate fear
of foreign aggression had ceased.
With these presidents. Secretary BLAINE
was announcing no now doctrine when in
1882 he declared that "if through any cause
neutrality should be found by Hawaii i'm
practicable. This Government would then
unhesitatingly meet the altered situation
by seeking ayowcdly an American solution
of the grave issues presented" Hawaii
has had presented to her, for the guidance
of her foreign policy. the uniform public
assertions OF the United States for half a
century. notably under President TYLER,
President PIERCE. President JOHNSON, and
President ARTHUR. as to the existence OF
special American relations with her. based
on her geographical position and on the
predominance OF our trade in her ports anc
of our property interests In her Islands
She has had the record Of a treaty OF an
nexation almost accomplished nearly forty
wears ago, and abandoned OF her own will
Her Commissioners also plead to-day II
their suit +" the American origin OF Hawaiii
civilization. laws. and judicial system. ant
the tendency from the earliest days to lool
to the United States for support not ONLY
against foreign aggression, but In matters
Of business. commerce. md social life"
The truth Is hat we cannot justly iinpos'
political obligations upon Hawaii withou
rnercby creating reciprocal duties for our
selves. II we call upon her through fiftl
years to recognize the existence Of a spe
cial dependence upon the United States
which is to prevent her from seeking ALI
uucps else where, this d~rDendcncC. although
most gladly recognized by Hawaii
vet obviously gives her special claims
upon us III any great crisis lik'
tho present. Va are forced to-day To re
member what was proposed to her in 1851
and what our statesmen have repeated,
declared TO bs tho alternative wheneye
she should conclude that her political sys
tenn and destiny mus be changed. Ger
EcHoFiELp. while commanding the mill
tsry division of tho Pacific. In 1875. wit