New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-02-13
POINTS ABOUT ANNEXATION.

II cannot be said that the opponents OF an
neyation of the Hawaiian Islands have as YET
presented very strong objections. Indeed most
of the motives which seem to prompt OPPOSE
ton can scarcely have any weight Whatever
with those who seek the interests OF the ma
ticn As a whole. Thus the few sugar planters
If Iouisiana can hardly imagine that it would
harm the United States TO acquire additional
territory more fertile and extensive IMAM .he
sugar-prcducing districts of their state ii IL
would not be a benefit 10 the country 10 nave
their plantations submerged by the sea- OF
transferred to the ownership of D foreign Power
how can it be anything but gain to bring
into the Union other plantations OF even great
or productvcneSs? They might wisely reflect
that any National policy by which sugar-SfoW-
ing can be encouraged, so that this country
NAV become mere nearly sclf-supplylng III th;|
,cspect would be UNNECESSARILY more likely
10 command needed support if it should meet
the necessities of the Pacific Coast, and cease
TO be represented as piece of special favorlt-
ism 10 few individuals in single state.
Those do not seem to have stalwart conf
dence in their own Nation or its civilization
who fear the addition to the population OF the
| nlteu NI3IcS OI IliNdlI H"'i'N' '''' 49,
already disappearing so rapidly that, instead
of $50. 900 few years ago, they now number
only 30, 600 or 10000. Would it have been
wise to reject the vast territory now called
California and Arizona because Of few thou
sand troublesome savagcs, or Ncw-Mexico be-
cause of its half-brccd inhabitants, or Alaska
because of its AlclItians? There are people
who talk solcmnly of the unftness OF the Poly
nosians for sclfgovcrnmcnt as II there were
any danger that the United states would suiier
any government to be established in the terri
tory which could be controlled either by Poly
ncsians or Mongolians 1t would he as sensible
10 shudder at the thought that Apache Indians
might presently control the government of
Arizona.
There need be no unca>incss about the ability
of Hawaii to sustain itself. lis expenditures
As an American Territory would not be half
As great As those il now meets annually with
case Its revenues last year were nearly
81 500. 900. Its public debt is only $500
0OO Since its income now is almost wholly
derived from a revenue tax on American goods,
our Government could well afford 10 assume
the debt and save the tax for the benefit OF
our Pacific traders The custom house taxa
ton on products other than American and the
local taxation such as is ordinarily charged in
American communities for their own suStenancc
would more than dcfray the expenses Of such
form of government a. our system would
provide.
A mind not too large fer n mustard seed
shcll would naturally oppose any provision for
the support of the late Queen and her
81. L., H,,n 81 10 c,ulI
be more glazing than TO leave tho once royal
family 10 be a constant appeal 10 native sym
pathicS and centre Of di>affcction. Tho
American and other foreign residents who have
established Il Provisional Government were
quick Ia perceive that some such expenditure
would be wise. Tho United States paid
S7,20O.0OO fer Alaska. but would gain prac-
tically fer nothing Il far more valuable terri
tory if the circumstances should prove to
Justify Hawaiian annexation.