The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-05-10
Americans in Hawaii.

The registration returns reported by the
| last steamer from Honolulu are very sug-
| gestive in their statistics. Only 1907 per-
sons had registered at that port when the
period fixed for this purpose had closed.
| and liberal estimate is said to give as
many more qualified voters for the remain
ing registration places in the islands. The
election was to have occurred last week {:
and while it Is expected that the delegates
then chosen to the Constitutional Conven-
ton will heartily carry out the plan for sub
shutting permanent and free Government
for the present Provisional Government,
yet 1t may be a cause OF surprise that the
registration proved 80 small.
1t seems plain. however. that for this re-
suit the policy Of Mr.. CLEvKLAND's Ad-
ministration must be held partly answer
able. Out OF 1907 persons registered at
Honolulu the books show only 1856 natives
and half-castes. while there were 41s Portu-
guese. 800 Americans. 1876 English. 100 Ger
mans, and 1879 others. Looking at this
small registration OF natives. Is 1t not con-
nected with the attempt Of Mr.. CLEvE-
LANDS Administration to overthrow the
Provisional Government and set up again
barbarous throne on Its ruins May not the
followers OF the ex-Queen have urged the
natives to refrain from taking the oath OF
allegiance TO the Provisional Government.
with the hope that Mr.. CLEVELAND might
renew his interference in her favor. although
in this country that renewal is well UNDER
stood to be out Of the question:
But second point to note Is that q con-
siderable number OF the American support
ers OF the Provisional Government did not
register. The explanation given Is that
"they fear to lose their American citizen
ship by taking the required OATH" In view
OF Mr.. GREsHAM's letter to Minister WILLIS
on this subject. 1t cannot be said that their
fear is ill-founded. Mr.. GRESHAM has not
directly threatened with withdrawal OF
American protection those who have regis
tered and voted. but he said that they would
probably" lose their right to such protec-
ton by taking the oath OF allegiance and
participating In the political affairs OF Ha-
wall. We have already pointed out the
marked difference In general sentiment be-
tween this declaration and the utterances
OF Secretary FRELINGHUYsEN on the same
subject. Mr.. BAYARD had no difficulty at
all in declaring that American citizenship
continued, in the individual case presented
to him. because the new Constitution. then
recently granted by KALAKAUA. recognized
the retention OF foreign citizenship. the
oath admitting what has been aptly styled
In our own Senate debates. q dual
allegiance. Mr.. FRELINGHUYsEN. decid-
ing a case under the previous Consti-
tuition. with different oath of allegiance.
acknowledged that the matter was one OF
some doubt. but proposed to give the bene-
fit OF the doubt to our citizens in Hawaii.
unless some judicial decision should rob
them OF their claim to American protection.
1t can easily be understood that. with the
known hostility Of Mr.. CLEVELAND and Mr..
GRESHAM to the Provisional Government.
and their open attempts to overthrow 1t.
many American residents may have felt dis
inclined TO run the risk OF taking the oath
to that Government. especially as the cleo
ton for which they were to register may
have been looked upon by them as certain
to result. without their votes. In the way
they wished.
But, whether few or many ballots were
cast at last weeks election. there will be no
throne again In Hawaii. A stable and free
Government will be secured. and. what Is
more. Hawaii may confidently look for
ward to taking her place before very long
In the American Union.