The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-30

with the people a. large, and the third
| class Of American annexationists ere the
Eugar planters, who would like the United
States bounty Of 30 ton; the sheep
men, the Gamers Of fruits that nov pay
duty to the United States, the specu-
iafors who seek American loans, and
many OF the missionary element who are
opposed TO the rule Of the queen. The
white opposition TO annexation is both
selfish and patriotic. Sugar is mostly
raised by contract Chinese and japanese
labor that is paid si2 70 ST. per month. The
| planters who use this class Of labor oppose
annexation because the United States Ia
Dor laws forbid labor contracts and labor
importation. If they could be sure Of the
80 per ton bounty forever they nigh.
agree TO annexation, but IN the islands
they look for repeai of the bounty in
very short time. Many Of the whites op-
pose annexation because they dread gov
eminent by carpetohggers
The courts Of the islands are clean and
competent, while the courts Of our Pacific
coast are in bad repute with the white
Haw aiians.
The conclusion reached by the very in
teliigent CORES pondent Of the Exam 'nsS in
November last was tha. the best informed
Hawaiians believed that they would lose
much by annexation and gain nothing ex-
cept the sugar bounty that would not
come 10 them through new commercial
treaty and the cession Of Pearl harbor on
such terms as the United States ought to
be willing TO grant. The queen rather
leaned TO the British. but her people did
not. or the white opposition to annexa-
ton many OF them are English and many
more have married native women who
are high chiefesses in their own right
Or connected with the queen or the
heir apparent and the heir presumptive.
Bishop. the head OF the big banking house.
married a grandchild of kamehameha
and she has many connections. Halt the
old rich residents are related to the crown
or some Of the royal family. The people
Of the islands are very friendly to the
United States: are grateful to the United
States, but in November last popular feel
ing was certainly not ready to seriously
scuss annexation. much less adopt it.
One of the leading nobles. in reply to re-
quest for his opinion. said.
AS 4, hsk been the declared policy of the
United States since the days OF Webster to fos-
ter and encourage Hawaiian independence and
autonomy, any discussi OF annexation on this
side would Ls Of no avail. The policy OF the
United states, IS expressed by Daniel Webster
secretary OF state ia 1851, is their policy today:
"rhis government still desires 10 see the nation.
atty of the Hawaiian government maintained,
ita Independent administration OF public affairs
respected, and its prosperity and reputation in
creased"
Nevertheless revolution has taken
place and an application for annexation
has been made by the provisional govern
ment to the United States. In our judg-
ment the revolution is the work of the
American residents and their adherents.
who represen: this sugar planting and
other property and business interests of
the island. These property holders saw
that the queen intended q change of gov
eminent which would place the white
property holding interests at the mercy Of
the native population, and in self-defense
they determined to rule rather than run
any risk of being ruined. The revolution
was successful and was doubtless helped
somewhat by the presence Of the United
States warship Boston and the landing of
the marines to protect the property of
Americans.
II the provisional government can sus-
tain itself it will doubtless be permitted to
do so by foreign powers, but the United
States is not likely to consider favorably
the proposition for annexation. We want
nothing of the islands but Pearl harbor as
naval and coaling station. Only in event
of failure of the new government to sus-
tain itself would the United States, in
common with Great Britain and Germany,
interfere to maintain peace, order and pro-
lection to the lives and property Of foreign
residents. even as We now do at Samoa.
There is no advantage that the United
States would gain from annexation. The
influence Of America is so undisputed that
Honolulu has been taken of the British
admiralty list-that is, it is no longer re-
garded as por. where the Importance OF
British interests demands the frequent
presence of man-of-war.
There is nothing in the annexation of
these islands that would compensate our
government for the trouble. vexation and
diplomatic entangements that would fol-
low any expression on our part Of an in
tent to annex these islands.