The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1893-05-23
A STIRRING STATEMENT OF HA-
Reasons Why the Islands Should
Be Annexed.
WAITS IMPORTANCE.

huLnlral Delknap was gwen al tn'
Boston university during the dis
cussion of the question of ''Tht
Relations of New England to Ha
waii." 1t was first printed in tn,
Boston Daily Globe under the fol
lowing headlines: Watch out
Keep one eye on Japan, other or
England. Both scheming to possess
Hawaii. Admiral Belknap, U.S.N.
sounds alarm. Points out strategic
value of Islands. Flag of United
States and no other should go up.
Matter of vital concern to the peo.
pie. Cleveland and Stevenson
were elected in mid-ocean."
Rear-Admiral George E. Belknap,
| u. S. NJ, said:
"The political situation in Hawaii
today is a matter of vital concern to
the people of the United States. 1t
would seem, indeed, to be one of the
most important OF the questions con-
fronting the new administration for
consideration and settlement. The
social, religious and political order of
things at those fair isles are the off
spring of New England teaching.
Her methods and traditions can no
more be eliminated from Hawaii than
they can be stricken from the progress
and the achievements of our common
country.
"The present political complica-
tions at the islands are seemingly but
the outcome of natural law, the inev-
liable clash of the old order of things
with the new, the yielding of the
weaker race to the stronger. In har-
mony with such law the native men
are gradually passing away.
"In the fields of labor the Portu-
guese, the Italians and the coolies
from China and Japan have supple
mented the Hawaiian tiller of the
soil. Adventures from all parts of
the world have flocked to the islands
like birds of prey, under the inviting
conditions held out to them through
the reckless, if not immoral, rule of
the late king ami the unconstitutional
tendencies of the recently deposed
queen, making the need of strong,
guiding hands at the helm of govern |
ment more apparent every day.
Let us hope, in the interests of hu- |
manity and the continued advance of
civilization, that the present turmoil
will not be prolonged, and that the fu-
ture of the islands will be determined
with a definiteness and solidity that
will ensure to them q stanch and
stable government, and a status of al
legiance to, or an alliance with the
United States, that will brook no
questioning from any quarter"
Admiral Belknap then spoke of the
advantages and strategic
Importance of the islands, of the grow
ing importance of Honolulu, which a
generation hence will be one of the
most fiOurishing commercial points !
)n the face of the globe, ami then he
asked, "Why, as measure of politi-
,al sagacity and prime necessity,
should the group become part and
parcel of the United States, or be held
n her strong aud sheltering arms?
"The answer il part is, becau e of
he virtual prOtectorate our govern
nent has maintained over the group
or more than fifty years; its neigh
'orly position as regards the Pacific
oast; its growth in material wealth
nj advancement, as result of the
workings of the reciprocity ,
reaty negotiated with the king in ;
S75;
ITS STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE
o US in time of war; its commercial
alue to our people and the all potent
act of its thorough Americanization,
he latter phase of exceeding interest /
nd pardonable qualification being :
ue in great measure to- the noble |
len and women, three-fourths of !
hem from New England and many =
'Om Boston, who as merchants, ship 3
wners and missionaries, have done a
lOre than all other people towards !,
the islands from state q
harbarism to condition of ciyili-
alton.
''If you were to visit Honolulu to- j
ay the first thing that would strike .
on would he the thorough American ?
ir of the place. On every hand you q
'ould be qui, k to see the WAYS. the n
the social customs, the re- :,
giOus ohservances, the characteris- y
10 VI Oul pCOplC u real NEW Eng |
md stamp and flavor of things in n
hid ocean. =
go to the Fort street church of a +
unday and you might we'll imagine
in the Park street church or
le Old South, in their palmiest days
orthodox congregationalism.
ION all the islands you would see
citing the landscape the white coral Y
'alls of the country meeting houses, :;
nd in every district catch refreshing u
limpses of the neat little school
ouses, patterned after the school, a
ouses of our youth and of our fathers, | fl
herein the children of Hawaii have !,
cen taught for two or three genera ~
ons by missionary or native a
achers. h
. You would see the ceremonies of p
-emorial day carried out by the Q
Durishing Grand Army post at Homo =
Ilu, with as much solemnIty and .
rvOr of observance as in any part of 8,
lie United States. q,
If such notable and earnest OBJ -
rvance of Memorial day stirred up +
le blood within you, the Fourth of 81
lily there would thrill you through N
I'd through with its glow of feeling, A
Intensity Of patriotism, its outburst o.
s1s. = - a 4