The morning call., 1893-02-05
KEEPS HANDS OFF.
England Had Never an Idea of Inter-
ference.

NEW YORK, Feb. 4.-Smalley cables to
the Tribune from London The rumor that
England had sent protest to Washington
against the annexation of Hawaii and con-
tTadicted at once by Sir Julian Pauncefote
seems to have been since revived. II was
revived for a purpose. if the story tele-
graphed here be true, one Of the news
agencies alleging that a report Of English
interference is 10 be made the basis of z
patriotic American movement. There Is
supposed to be large party in the United
States which does not care much about
Hawaii, but could be made TO care by a
menace Of English hostility. Whatever
England opposes America must favor" is
the motto Of this party.
Well, il you are going TO annex Hawaii
you will have to do it on some other
grounds. Sir Julian Pauncefote's denial
Of the assertion that England had protested
against annexation by America was strictly
accurate. and might have been made
stronger had diplomatic etiquette permitted.
7 You may take it as fact that England has
not protested nor had any notion OF pro-
testing. The English Foreign Office does
not regard this question as on e which con-
Germs England primarily, or concerns her
sufficiently 10 require any remonstrance
against any policy yet suggested for adOp-
ton in the United States. No doubt she has
interests in Hawaii, but they are not such
as would be endangered either by annexa-
tion or by an American protecto-
rate. She does not take mil-
tary view of the matter, nor does
she think herself In position to complain
should the Government at Washington be
Of the opinion that Hawaii comes under the
operation OF the Monroe doctrine. Such is
the Foreign Office view. AS for the outside
or popular view. there is none. Neither in
the English press nor elsewhere has there
been any Onstration of dislike TO an
nexat.on. or OF any deep interest 10 Hawaii
The revolution, II revolution 1t be, was dis
cussed with moderation and without any
sign OF excitement. still less Of anger or Of
serious 0p osltion to American projects,
should America have projects. The voice
of lingo has not been heard, nor did the
story above alluded to stir ripple Of feel
Ing or provoke single hostile comment.
1t is. however. situation likely TO occa-
sion rumoTs, and 1t does, at least in Amer
lea, and the cable gives us the benefit OF
others than the one above mentioned. Lin
coin, the American Minister In London, Is
named as authority for the statement that
Great Britain will have samething TO say
in this matter. and the Cabinet at Washing
ton is said to have discussed this portentous
announcement. | have not asked Lincoln.
but ] do not believe that he has informed
his Government that England had lodged
protest or offered any form of diplomatic
objection to the expected action of the
United States, because she has not done
anything Of the sort.
You are reported as suggesting that
EngIa nd has her hands too full in Egypt to
trouble herself about Hawaii. That may
be reason, but IL is not the reason for her
attitude of aequiescence. Egypt is only
one spot on a map world dotted all over
with English red. Larger considerations
govern her action or inaction in this case.
The Everett view OF the Monroe doctrine
might or might not be accepted in Downing
street In the very positive and emphatic
way In which that eminent American puts
1t, but [ apprehend that IL is accepted only
in substance. Hawaii is a long way further
off than Cuba, and EYereiPs arguments
VIII have to be stretched little in order to
cover the Pacific.
1t Is hardly necessary to add that no un-
friendly action Is to be expected from the
present Foreign Minister. Everybody
knows that Lord Rosebery has a real re-
gard for America. but his first duty is to his
own country. He has taken his decltlon