The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1893-03-21
SIR EDWIN ARNOLD ON TIE HA-
wAIIAg SITUATION.

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the masses in England and tn,
United States. He has lately Wis
tied Japan and the visit gained
him still further notoriety of less
enviable character. On his way
back from Japan he passed severa
hours in Honolulu, which he spen
with the Queen and Sam Parker
and in their company it appears
that he acquired a profound knowl
edge of Hawaiian affairs. This
knowledge he has utilized in the
comments on the Hawaiian situa'
ton which he has lately given te
the world in the columns of the
London Daily Telegraph.
1t does not initiate against the
strength of the annexationists that
weak and watery combina-
ton of the Tory and Senti-
mentalist, such as Sir Edwin
appears to be, should take
sides against them. 1t does not
appear that Sir Edwin knows any
thing about the history, the tradi-
tions or the character of the in
habitants of this country. He
cannot, in the nature of the case,
be acquainted with the details Of
the controversy which resulted in
the revolution, except as he may
have learned of them through the
American press. If indeed he were
an accurate and philosophic OBJ
server, he might have at least
guessed something of the battle
which is still waging here between
the forces of progress on the one
hand and those of retrogression on
the other. As a mere poet even, he
might have OWNED something of
this drama of civilization and hea-
thenism which, small as the stage
is, still has so much of high inter-
est to the student of social laws.
But the muse of Edwin Arnold is
not dramatic, and, if the tales of
his Japanese sojourn may be be-
lieved, his interest in this form of
art would be concentrated upon its
decoration, the ballet.
The reasons which have led Sir
Edwin Arnold to his conclusions
are not far to seek, for he confesses
them himself. He opposes annex
alton to the United States because
the Queen gave him a lei, which |
be still cherishes, because she has
placid and gentle features and the
dark soft brown island eyes" Add |
10 this that she seems to have
praised the climate of England,
and what more should be needed |
% move poets heart. 1t may be
observed also that the suffering"
If Kaiulani ''for her people" seems
o have made deep impression on
he sensitive heart of Sir Edwin
Arnold, and doubtless served to in
.ensify his conviction that annex
alton to the United States would
De bad thing for Hawaii.
As the charms of the female men,
,ers of the Hawaiian Royal Family
nave convinced Mr.. Arnold of one
hing, it need surprise none that
he presumably still greater charms
If the females of Japan have con-
Iinced him of another. Sir Edwin
wants Hawaii annexed to that
He is satisfied that this
S all which Hawaii needs to COM
,lete her felicity. 1t is a consum-
nation devoutly to be wished, and
would bring to the islands "a pros
,erity hitherto undreamed Of"
Moreover, the racial affinity be-
ween the japanese and the Ha-
Taiians-an chronological discovery
which Sir Edwin seems to have
made in the course of his travels
Till be sufficient guarantee that
he two peoples will live side by
ide in golden age of peace and
in their island Eden.
These are the yaparies of a mind