The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1896-12-21
Is the Hag allan Scheme to Be Re-
vived

The election of n Republican to be
the next President OF the United
States is followed by active symp-
toms of revival of the scheme for
the annexation OF the Hawaiian ISL
ands. The revolution at Honolulu
near the beginning of 1893, by which
with the connivance OF Minister
Stevens and the assistance OF an
American man-of-war, the native
Government Of Hawaii was upset
and clique OF American "Sons Of
Missionaries" was set up in its place
was the prelude to treaty OF annex
alton, which was hurriedly rushed
through the process Of negotiation
at Washington and submitted to the
Senate by President Harrison with
strange alacrity. On account of de-
lay in that slow-going body, this
was not acted upon before the close
OF the Harrison administration, and
was promptly withdrawn by Presi-
dent Cleveland for an investigation
of the events which led up to it,
This act Of the President saved
the country from doing with pre-
cipitate haste what SHOULD certainly
only be done with care and delibera
ton, il it were to be done at all.
The investigation which Mr.. Cleve-
land caused to be made completely
exposed the scheme of the annex
ationists for selling these islands for
the purpose OF exploiting their re-
sources, and made plain the misuse
of the power and influence Of the
representatives of our Government
in promoting the success Of the
schemers without the slightest re-
gard for the rights Of the native
rulers or the interests of the native
people. 1t proved to be impractic-
able to undo the wrong by restoring
the situation which existed before
the plot accomplished the prelimi-
nary purpose of revolution in the
islands.
After the Provisional Government
had lasted some months it set up an
oligarchy and called it republic,
putting it by written Constitution
upon basis that had semblance
Of permanency. This appears to
have established itself firmly; for
some time past it has been peace
ably acquiesced in, and we do not
undertake to say that it is not we'll
adapted for the government OF this
group OF Pacific islands. That, in
fact, is not question that directly
concerns us. But it is plain that the
annexation scheme has never been
abandoned either by those who were
concerned in it at Honolulu nor by
those who were eager to participate
in it in this country for their own
profit. Here it was not thought OF
during our absorbing political cam
paign, but we are told that keen
interest was taken in the result OF
the election at the capital of the
little Hawaiian domain, and it is
predicted" that new commission
will be appointed there to reopen
the whole question soon after Nc.
Kinley's Inauguration.
We do not propose to renew at
present the arguments which were
made familiar three years ago
against the acquisition of colonial
possession in the Pacific Ocean for
the management OF which our sys.
tenn of government has no adapta-
ton, but recent events serve to con-
firm the wisdom of our policy OF
combining our jurisdiction to the
territory already in our possession.
We have problems and difficulties
enough to deal with and should seek
for no additions to them.
II our good Offices shall result in
settling long-standing difficulty
over the boundary OF Venezuela, it
will be well. If they could be SO
used as to restore peace in Cuba I'M
der conditions that would give its
people the advantages of enlighten-
ed government. thew ought not to