Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-24
What Friends and Opponents Of
Annexation Say.
TIE CASES ARE NOT THE SAME
Arguments in Favor OF Hawaii at
This Time.
THE STARS AND STRIPES

There is a suggestion that the enemies of
Hawaii in this country may try to make
some use of the declarations of Senator's
Sherman and Call against the annexa tion
of Cuba. Hawaii and Cuba are sometimes
bracketed together in speculation touching
an improved foreign policy, and especially
as regards the stand this government is eX-
pected to take in the matter of the Ncar-
aqua canal The popular belief is that the
canal will be pushed to success by Amer
lean enterprise, and be operated under
American control. Near the Atlantic end
lies Cuba; on the direct line of travel to the
far west from the Pacific end lies Hawaii.
Ought not the United States on this ac-
count, to control both Cuba and Hawaii?
Could absolute control of the canal in all
circumstances be within the scope of a safe
guarantee without Cuba and Hawaii?
Objection to Cuban Annexation.
The objection to the annexation of Cuba,
as stated, is that the majority of the popu-
laton of the island would not be prepared
for American citizenship. The negro ele-
ment is large, and the whites, as well as
the negroes, use the Spanish language.
This, it is urged, would make difficulty.
Annexation would carry with it from the
very start many, if not all, of the rights
and privileges of this country. The Cuban
would become American citizen. The
affairs of the island would have to be con-
Quoted after the fashion of this country.
Naturally. the Cubans-certainly the edu-
Gated whites-would insist on a controlling
voice in any new organization; but woul1
be. for while at least, at much disadvan-
tage. Even a territorial form Of govern
ment would require the sending over of
many officials from the main shore. Many
embarrassmcnts would spring up.
The Opposition to Hawaii.
The opponents of Hawaiian annexation
seek to apply this argument to the case
of those islands. 1t is Urged that they are
not prepared for the American form of
government. Cuba has a large native ne
gro population. Hawaii has the Kanakas.
The one race, it is insisted, is no better
prepared for American citizenship than is
the other Years would be necessary to
iift either up to the proper plane. Then,
it is further insisted, Hawaii is very far
away. Cuba has the advantage in that.
She is just across the way, and the track
of affairs there could be easily kept, al
though embarrassing. But Hawaii is away
off, and in times OF commoton things
might be turned end for end there before
even the fastest ship could arrive with
orders from the mainland.
The Two Cases Separate
Friends of Hawaiian annexation see the
point, and want the two cases kept sepa-
not selfshness, but simple justice They
are not Indifferent to the case of Cuba
They sympathiZe with Cuba. They hope
TO see the United States do unto that island
as they are asking it to do unto the is
lands in the Pacific. But everything in its
own and the proper order. The one case is
made up and ready for action; the other is
not. Cuba is sull Spanish territory, and
Spain is exerting herself to the utmost to
hold il. Spain must be reckoned with in
whatever the United States may desire or
attempt to do in the premises.
Hawaii Now independents.
The case of Hawaii is altogether of
another kind. Those islands have not only
proclaimed, but established their freedom.
An independent government is in existence
Its flag flies and is respected. 1t is officer
ed by men Of the Engiish-speaking race,
some of them Of American extraction. The
toIms are as nearly as may be in the cir
cumstances after American patterns.
There is a definite policy. approved by those
in authority, looking to annexation. The
responsible people are anxious that the
islands shall become American territory
The United States has but to accept this
proposition. No objection would follow
from any foreign power The matter of
distance will soon, in very important
sense, be annihilated. An ocean cable is
on the cards, whatever may happen, and
this, of course, would be Immediately laid
in the event of annexation. So that com
I.pu Cdt.ol WltH I1OiCluiu VIII SHORTY De aS
direct and almost quick with Havana.
she Wants the Stars and Stripes.
This, then, is the Hawaiian case. The
friends of those islands sympathize with
the friends of freedom in Cuba, and wish
success to their cause. But as Hawaii has
prepared for annexation and is ready and
anxious for it, she should not, it is con-
tended be kept unnecessarily waiting, or
have her interests bracketed with otEer
intel ests In language, in destiny, in as
piration, she is American, her friends as
sert, and wants the stars and stripes 20
wave over her domain.