The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-02-03
AS GOOD AS A FLEET.
WHAT BLAINE SAW IN THE ANNEX
ALTON or HAWAII.
Sentiments Expressed just Prior TO His
Death-san Domingo, Hawaii and
Nicaragua.

W ANlllNtipNf bblls L. I nv lldNbllth
episode has servel to call attention to
one OF the great ambitions of the late
James G.. Blaine. Mr.. Blaine was in
favor of the annexation OF Hawaii by
the United States. But he saw much more
in annexation than the mere acquisition
of territory and the extension Of trade.
Mr.. Blaine was not so anxious to build
up commerce rs he was to erect an
American empire in the western hemi-
sphere which should be wholly and
dominant. Mr.. Blaine had
always contended that for itself Hawaii
was not worth taking; that the trouble
it would cause this Government could
not be compensated by the value OF the
Islands, teTritorially considered. 1t was
the strategic importance Of Hawaii that
appealed to Mr. Blaine. Not more than
a year before his death Mr.. Blaine sat in
tie library OF his famous old house on
Lafayette square and spoke rs follows to
your correspondent, at least in sub
stance:
1--WE should have possession of the
Hawaiian Islands. They are one ut the
strongest links III the chain OF empire
which it is our manifest destiny TO hang
about ourselves. England, always keen
and constructive, always reaching out
for new vantage points OF power, has
bristled our eastern frontier with line
OF guns and Notifications. From Hall
fax to the Bermudas, to the Bahamas,
to British Honduras, they have run
their line. They have built Il cable
from Halifax to the Bermudas, and now
are laying one to Nassau, New
Providence since completely. As il is
in the Atlantic, so in the Pacific. The
British have strong naval Quitting
post at Vancouver, and clean sweep to
New Zealand and Australia. We must
meet and checkmate this effort to draw
lines OF naval and military strength
bout us. We cannot tell when the
moment will arrive in which our future
as Il nation may depend upon our ABILITY
to protect our coasts, to maintain that
domination which by right is ours in
the western world.
First of all, " continued Mr.. Blaine,
1--WE must have the Sandwich Islands.
They are the key to the Pacific. In the
next fifty years the Pacific waters will
carry II commerce equal in bulk and
value to that OF the Atlantic. On this
west. In the old world il is moving
eastward These mighty forces will
meet on the Pacific. They will swell to
the eastern and western shores OF that
sea; they will bridge it with innumer-
able lines OF steamers and freight car
riers. The nation that holds Hawaii will
be master OF that ocean. Without vast
expenditures for naval power it will
tni,
is no such thing as diplomacy without
guns. Civilization has not yet reached
that point OF Developments doubt if it
ever will get therein which great nego-
tiations can be carried on without power
behind the hand that treats. To us Ha-
wall is as good as fleet. With Hawaii
we shall secure an advantage from which
we can never be dislodged.
"In the Atlantic we must also
strengthen our lines" continued Mr..
Blaine. "Our seacoast cities must he
made easily defensible. So long as they
are marks for the enemy, subjects OF
sacrifice in time OF war, we shall be
weak. There may come time when
we shall have to choose between sur.
rendering some principle dear to oul
people and the destruction OF our sea.
| coast cities by the guns OF an enemy. j
/ the principle involves the natlona
honor and self-rcspect, there can be NJ
doubt as to what the choice will be
Though the price will be paid, it is Il bis
price. We must remove this element o
weakness by making our chief cities i'm
pregnable. Then We must have battle
ships and coast defense cruisers to max,
sure OF our ground. These things viii
cost millions upon millions OF money
| but il will be the best investment tn,
people of this country ever made.
man never regrets the cost OF SAT-
foundations under his house, nor o
strong locks to the doors OF his ware
house.
eve must go still farther. In tn
West.lndies we must have a checkmat
for the British strongholds to be foun,
there. We must have Cuba, Sal
Domingo or some other territory in tina
region, or at the very least naval sta
ton therein where We may coal, repai
and outfit our ships, and where "
may erect Notifications. Along wit
these comes completion OF the Nicaragu
canal under Government auspices. L
finish that great enterprise is Il tas
worthy the best blood and genius OF on
people. 1t should be done throug
Government assistance, on basis tina
will give the Government right to tax
possession in time OF war, to close tn
gates leading to the Atlantic on the cas-
and to the Pacific on the west to til
ships OF hostile nations. That woul
make us as nearly master Of both ocean
as we should care to be. 1t woul
enable us to transfer our fleet from on
ocean to the other without loss OF tim,
Thus our smaller navy could easily |
made more effective than England
greater, could be made well nigh il
vincible. Ii we add to this grei
y naval station in Lake Nicaragua, whel
our work would be secure from any u
tack, where we could coal, outfit, repai
clean bottoms and rendezvous, the liz
of defence would be complete. Fro
the West Indies through to Hawaii "
should have the mastery. From tho
points OF vantage the world would
ours.
Commerce follows power the wor
over" continued Mr.. Blaine. "Tl
nations, through the unchanging pr
cesses of human nature, seek relation
commercial and other with the holde
of power. Trade depends largely upo
guns, as does diplomacy. To San d.
mingo on the east and Hawaii on ii
west, with the Nicaragua canal in Il
center, we should add railway fro
the United States. to South America, Ia
ping our naval station at Lake Nicaragu
and making it possible to forward m,
and munitions without delay, and at Il
same time cultiyating closer commerce
and social relations with the Cent?
and South American peoples"
This was Mr.. Blaine's lavorite drea
for the future OF his country. No u
who has heard him describe it will ey
be able to forget his words.
Question of DivIucnds.
Two Chinese creditors claim throui
their attorney, V. V. Ashford, that tn
were overlooked in the distribution
liyflands From, tho han krunt estate