The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-01-14
sEAr1IK. sUSDAY. JAM ~
A PRoTEGT0gATE FoH THE Ha-
WAfIAS ISLANDS.

As We have repeatedly said. the solution
of the Hawaiian question is not party
question: it is a question of national ex-
pedlency and justice. Our Hawaiian pol
icy up 10 the days OF Secretary Gresham
aad President CleveIand's second term has
Always been the same. no matter what po-
litieai party was Ia power. Daniel Web.
ster, as Wing secretary of state 20 Tyler
and Fillmore, took exactly the same view
OF Hawaii as Democratic Secretaries Of
State Calhoun under Polk and Marcy under
Pierce; and the Republican secretaries of
state under Grant, Garfield and Harrison
maintained this view. as did Democratic
Secretary Bayard in Ceveiand's iirst term.
Our Hawaiian policy has always been
one OF non-iniorference. except to the cx-
tent of landing American troops TO pro-
tect the lives and property of American
and other foreign residents in times of ex-
traordinary civil connection. We did this
In 1857, in 1859, aud repeated it last Janu-
ary under the same standing orders of our
state department enforced by Democratic
Secretary Bayard in 1857. When the En-
glish bombarded Alexandria Commander
Nicholson landed his American marines
and protected the lives and property of
foreign residents from violence during the
scene OF civil disorder and mob turbulence
that followed the bombardment.
Our government has always claimed q
paramount interest in the Sandwich ISL
nnds TO this extent, that while not dis
.o4 -. In. L. -. TT
of Hawaii, we have insisted that We would
resent any interference on the part OF the
powers of Europe in the fate of
the islands. Mr.. Webster ''called
down" Great Britain on this sub
iset in 1913. and Mr.. Calhoun
as a later date .called down" France, and
France and England are under treaty
pledge not 90 interfere with tho Hawaiian
islands. Great Britain cannot consent to
establish any protectorats over these
islands. Wing President Fillmore de-
elared through his secretary of state, Mr..
Webster, that the desire of our govern
ment was that tho Sandwich islands
''shali not pass under the control of any
other great maritime state. but snail re-
main in an independents condition, and SO
be accessible and useful to the commerce
OF all nations" This declaration was
made after tbs discovery of gold in Cali
fornia. 50 that he was enabled to say that
''the Importance of these considerations
has been greatly enhanced by the sudden
and vast development which the interests
OF the United States have obtained in Cali
fornis and Oregon, and the policy hereto
fore adopted In regard 20 these islands
viii be steadily pursued"
The policy referred to by President Fill
more Was that enuneiated by Secretary Of
State Webster in 1913 and by Democratic
Secretary Of State Marcy in 1888. Mr..
Marcy dissvowei any intent on the part
of the United States to attempt the exer-
else OF any exclusive control on the Sand
wieh islands. bus added that We sse also
resolved ''that no other power or state
shall exact any political or commercial
privileges from them which We are not
permitted 10 enjoy. far less TO establish
any proiectorate over them 1t
indispensable to our welfare that the
policy which governs them should he
liberal and that il should continue free
from control Of any third country"
Secretary OF State Fish, under Grants
administration. said:
1T Is very clear tina. this government
Can not be expected TO as sent 20 THAR
transfer from their present control 70 that
OF any powerful maritime or commercial
nation. Such transfer 10 maritime
a
lance in the Pacific similar TO that which
Bermuda has afforded in ,he Atlantic"
And finally Secretary nlalne. under
President Garfield, said on the same sub
teet:
The position OF the Hawaiian island.
81 the vicinity Of our Pacific coast. and
their intimat" commercial and political
relations with rs. lead this govern frsent 10
watch with crave interest. and 20 rerarA
nniavoTahsy any movement. negotiation.
or discussion aiming 10 transfer them
IN any svcntaaIsIy whatever 10 another
power"
IL Is clear. therefore. tast tie Hawaiian
ISLANDS win net - permitted 10 PASS un.
der the control % any sreAs Yaropean
maritime power. Ths United States. an
der the wiss administration 81 President
Grant, negotiated = rec pTocg,y treaty s!th
Hawsb in 1875. and the senate q ths
Valted States refused 30 consent % A -.
uswal Of this reciprocity treaty OF IS-y
when Il had expired aasa the Un!tei
States had beon granted a rsEht u estss.
l'sh and tor,ify = naval and coaliaE station
nt fear River hsgbor GA che island %
osha. The value Of tAjs concession was
appreciated by the London Issaes when Il,
sal4, The maritime power that holds
Pearl River barker and n,coss he- aest
theTe holds the ksy Of tAe NORTH raeGac."
This harboF IS q SPACIOUS, taad~soeked A..
ohorase. STA - aarroN eairauess whose
channel cau,a e completely commanded
by single tori. Ne ia nas hosa thts har-
hor ~ 5 rergs;na. cessloa, bot oaly gaier
q grant aaaste4 a. sho lie q the treaty..
Which expires, we lr,leve. in 1905, as Is
~ss FSnessa sor seven years in November.
l>~-.
he lmltea oess.on Of Pear. River hxr.
aeE expires wisA tue dsasa CT the reel.