The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-12-03
AMERICAN STANDPOINT.


The American statesman and patriot
will consider annexation from an eX-
clusively American point of view. He
may entertain the kindliest feelings
towards the American colony whic1
has grown up in Hawaii under the fos-
tering influence of the United States.
dating back for many years, especial
ly under the influence of the eXcep-
tional treaty of reciprocity And yet
his view of what the policy of the
United States ought to be with regard
to anneXing Hawaii will not be CON
trolled by sentiment.
He may regard the founders and
supporters of the Provisional Govern
ment of the Republic of Hawaii as ac-
tuated by the noblest and purest mo-
tiyes, and as worthy of admiration for
sustaining the cause of civil liberty at
great risk and under severe difficult
les, arising both from domestic causes
and from the threatening attitude
which was taken by Mr.. Cleveland's
administration and perhaps by the
representatives of Great Britain
On the other hand, he may, if he
will, consider the downfall of the Ha-
waiian Monarchy as due to base
conspiracy formed by Hawaiian sugar
planters and Office seekers, with Min
lister Stevens and Capt Wiltse.
b,l L., ~.
isting conditions and decide, irrespect-
lively of any bias he may feel as TO
their origin what is the true policy of
the United States on the subject of an
neXing Hawaii.
If annexation is good American pol
icy, the specific mode of anneXing is
but a question of detail.
1t may he done under the treaty
power, or by Congressional action
and either strictly in conformity with
the Constitution and Laws of Hawaii.
which authorize the President. with
the approval of the Cabinet, and sub
ject to ratification by the Senate, to
make treaty of political union with
the United States, or it is possible
that the requirement of popular vote
of approval may be made.
There are many citizens of the
United States who look with utter dis
approval upon any acquisition of
eNtra-continental territory, and who
consider that anneXing Hawaii may be
the initiation of "A policy of acquiring
Cuba, Canada, Mexico and Central
America.
This is the main question.
Objections to the varied nationali-
ties i'm Hawaii, and especially to its
large Chinese and Japanese population
would not in their minds be serious,
if they thought that it was good pol
icy to have Hawaii component part
of the American Union.
If Hawaii can easily be governed
with all its nationalities, as has been
done under its Republic, its variety
of races would ne no obstacle to its
being securely held in the great Re
public.
Its entire voting population, if it
came to voting, are as intelligent
voting class as need be desired, when
they have not the making or over
throwing of the Government to vote
and legislate about.
The nub of the whole matter and the
really vital question for the United
States, appears to be, whether the an
neXation of Hawaii ought to be re-
garded as IA matter totally distinct
from the annexation of any other for
eign territory.
On this subject il is fair to say thar
Hawaii, by its position and by the in
fluences to which it is subject, is sub
stantially part of the American sys-
ten; it is merely the outpost of the
coast of California.
Its freedom from the influence and
control of any other country than the
United States has always been the con
sistent and firm policy of the United
States, and is more essentially part