The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1893-03-20
The Future of Hawaii.

whether Christian civilization or
the civilization of Asia shall domi-
nate these islands in the future
should be seriously considered
when discussing the Future of
Hawaii" That it will be one or
the other goes without saying: An
nexation to the United States will
insure US a Christian civilization,
as the country would rapidly settle
up with Europeans and Americans,
as a greater prosperity will attend
them then than they ever yet felt;
Or, let me predict, greater than they
ever will feel without annexation.
We cannot stand alone and pros
per. Standing alone signifies a
greater business depression than
has been known here for many
years. That alone must drive from
us many of the white population
some have already gone-as they
will be able to do better elsewhere.
Not so with the Asiatics, for how
ever dull times may become, they
will still be better off here than in
their own country. So while the
white population must decrease
under dull times, the Asiatics will,
by natural process, increase, and so
absorb the islands, or at least rem
der it a second Singapore-twenty-|
five Asiatics to one white man.
But if we should become a part of
America, these islands would settle
up so rapidly with Americans and
Europeans, that the question would
be at once settled in favor of Chris
tan civilization, and a different
state of things would be inaugu-
rated from whatever existed here
before, even under reciprocity. The
same spirit of settlement, improve
ment and goaheaditiveness that
now prevails in the new States and
territories of America would be set
in motion here. Reciprocity has
given US taste only of the pros
perity we may enjoy by annexation
to the United States.
If the business of this country
shrinks as suggested, which it
must certainly do with sugar at
present prices, it will be tanta-
mount to abandoning the country
to the Asiatic, at least if numbers
count. The Asiatics by natural
means will increase in numbers,
and stringent business will force a
decrease of the white element. An
nexation is our only hope.
The fact is, stringency is al
ready upon us. Taxes have al
ready decreased one-third on GER
tain properties, and we hear of one
planter selling out for about one
half of what his property was
worth a little over one year ago.
Other prominent sugar men have
sold their property, and permanent
ly left the country. Others are re-
GREETING that they had not also
sold. This much, and business
depression has hardly commenced.
What must we expect when its full
force is upon us?
All trades and all business must
bear their proportion of the shrink
age, and those not now fourishing
will quit business and leave the
country. Wage-earners will be
forced to accept less wages or get
no work, and white men rather
than accept less wages than they
can get in their own country will
leave. Not so with the Asiatics.
These islands are a heaven for him.
One-half of present wages is more
than he gets in his own country.
So if we would continue this a
Christian country, check business
troubles now upon us, make our
country and its people permanent
ly prosperous, we must become a
part of America. To remain as we
are is political and financial sui
eide. To waste time discussing
other ways is unwise. There is no
other way to permanent prosperity
and Christian civilization.
HAWAII.