The morning call., 1893-01-31
THE HAWAIIAN PROBLEM.


A furtive glance at the Hawaiian prob
lem discloses some dangers that may attend
its solution. Conservative statesmen may
say that annexation is a departure from
American precedent Timid statesmen may
predict that the islands cannot be annexed
without war. But with a more direct and
comprehensive view these dangers disap-
pear The line of safety lies in a firm. bold
but just policy. What nation has right to
complain at action by the American Gov
eminent looking TO the annexation OF the
Islands? What nation will thereby be de-
priyed of any justly acquired rights? a
British journal says that Great Britain
could not allow the United States to annex
the islands, even If the established policy
at Washington permitted the idea to be en-
tertained. Possibly this British paper will
fiDd time TO explain on what ground the
British persist in an armed occupation OF
Egypt The only real reason that has been
given is that it is for the good Of Egypt
that England should govern the country.
But Egypt does not think so. Turkey, the
suzerain Of Egypt, does not Thick 50. Eng
land as yet has not paid much attention TO
what Egypt and Turkey may do. She
maintains her battle-shps. counts her guns
and notes their ealibeT. She will pause
when she finds more ships and larger guns
Sttayed against her policy. But the United
States is not jusufying a contemplated
policy by quoting British examples. We
prefer to solve cur problems after a law of
our own.
In this case the proposition to annex the
islands is based upon the latest expression
of the viii of the people Of the islands.
Upon examination we find that thu inter
ests of the islands are identical with the
interests Of cur people. The Islands are
magnificent tropical territory which COM
plete the Industrial nationality Of the
American people. We have all the products
Of the temperate zone and of semi
tropical zones, and the islands give US
territory on which all kinds Of tropical
products may be grown. The moment the
islands pass under a permanent and
powerful Government they will present
something Of the same magieal spectacle
California did within FIVE years after it be-
came American territory. AS yet there
have been few inducements TO settle in the
Islands. Capital Icould never be considered
sa4e under a native government Even the
ventures made ~ der the stimulus If the
reciprocity treaty were but temporarily
profitable. a change in our laws deprived
these island investments Of much OF their
value. But II may be said that war with
England may possibly follow annexation.
If war would follow annexation it would as
certainly follow a refusal to annex If
Great Britain has formed Pacific Ocean
policy which will require her to brave
war with the United States to prevent &he
American possession Of the islands. var
Will follow anyhow within a few years. If
on the other hand Great Britain has no
Pacific Ocean policy that makes war in re-
Tense Of it polite American possession Of
the islands will not call out any strcng
protest. England viii always fight wi en-
she considers her honor involved. But at
the present time she has many reasons ior
avoiding a conflict to which honor does Dot
impel her. England lives by her foreign
commerce. Block her way 10 the raw uaa-
terial she works up into goods and 20 the
markets in which these goods are sold aGd
her commercial supremacy, already endan-
gered, would be a thing Of the past Even
il her way TO distant ports should not be
blocked the increased cost Of transportation
in consequence of expense would in a
slower way bring like results. 1t may be
asserted without much fear of contradic-
ton that the probabilities Of war will be
materially Increased or decreased by the
attitude of the American people on the an
Dexation question. II the people are prac-
Ideally unanimous there will be no war: If
they show doubt and hesitation war may
follow. In this case as in most others the
way 10 peace lies along paths that reason
aud Justice have marked out.