The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-12-03
FROM TWO
''''' nv STANDPO|NIy
JUDGE \. S. HARTWELL WRITES
UPON ANNEXATION.
The Hawaiian View-The American
Niew-Nital Points Presented-Sta
bility-A Settled Policy.
A PRESENTATION OF THE EXIST
ING LOCAL SITUATION.
Sound Reasons-Strong Argument
The American View-Will Not Be
Controlled by Sentiment
HAWAIIAN STANDPOINT.


During the three years succeeding
the overthrow of the Hawaiian Mon
archy, the times were not favorable to
calm and intelligent consideration of
the relative benefits and disadvantages
which annexation would bring to Ha-
wall.
Undoubtedly there were manv per-
sons. like Mr.. Claus Spreckels, for in
stance, who at the first news of the
events of January, 1898, avowed their
satisfaction in the prospect of annex
alton, which then seemed imminent;
but later came to think, for a variety
of reasons, that Hawaii would do bet
ter by itself.
Opinions have been formed to a
great extent in accordance with prior
sympathies or antipathies. To many
of those who considered the January
movement to be uncalled for and un-
wise, or absolutely wrong, restora-
tion of the Monarchy and continuance
of Hawaiian national independence
appeared to be far preferable to an
neNation.
On the othe hand those who re-
garded the changes as a necessary out
come of conditions, which threatened
the public peace and safety, readily
and often eagerly looked upon annex
alton as the most desirable thing
which could occur.
1t is possible, at the present time,
for any intelligent person concerned
in the welfare of Hawaii, to make
dispassionate examination from a Ha-
waian point of view of the entire
subject of annexation, irrespective of
any sentiment in favor of or against
the Government changes which hdve
occurred, and whether he likes the
present form of Government or it's
personnel or not.
Whether for good or for i'll, the
record of the past is made up. The
past is gone, never to be recalled. The
practical question, the question for
craftsmanship and patriotism to con-
slider is, what shall be done under ex-
isting conditions?
1t is one thing to consider this
question from the point of view of
those who are aboriginal Hawaiians,
or have east in their lot with this
country, as permanent residents: it is
another thing to consider it from the
point of view of Americans in their
own country, or of non resident prop
erty owners. However valuable the
latter class are to the country, in us
ing their money to develop its re-
sources, as well as in their advice and
suggestions looking to the present
and future welfare of the community,
there must always be a difference, de-
pending for its degree largely upon
personal temperament and training in
the feeling with which such persons
will regard Hawaiian conditions as
they work for residents.
Looking then at annexation from
strictly Hawaiian point of view, it is
necessary to judge of its probable re-
suits, in political, social ana lastly,
in financial directions.
In all these matters, the interest of
one part of the body polite is the in
terest of all. 1t is for the interest of
all classes that Hawaii have a firm,
stable and strong Government, not at
the mercy of discordant factions with
in, or of the steadily developing Or
iental desire of colonization, or of the
contingencies, which are unfortunate
ly too possible, of European war.
The sensitiveness to these condi-
tions of both foreign and domestic
capital is acute. 1t matters not
whether there is or not any basis for
the distrust concerning a weak power.
Does not every Englishman feel that
Hawaii would be stronger and safer
under English rule than alone? Does
not every German think that the ele
ment of uncertainty would disappear
If Hawaii were German colony? And
aside from any feeling of national
pride, does not every American know
that capital would he more secure in
Hawaii under either English or Ger
man control than it is now, or has
been during the last fifteen years?