Omaha daily bee., 1896-11-25
HAWAIIAN iNNEXdT TlON,

1t is already apparent that n strong
pressure will be brought to bear on the
next administration and congress in be-
half of Hawaiian annexation. Advices
from Hawaii show that the result of
the late election in the United States
has encouraged the men in power in
Hawaii to believe that about all they
will have to do, when the republican
party is in power, in order to secure
annexation, is to ask for it. The
Hawaiian minister of foreign affairs is
reported TO have said that annexation in
some form is expected and that prepa-
rations for it are being made. "Our
government is pledged to annexation"
and the country is prepared for it,"
II is also said that the visit of eX-Secre-
tary of State Foster to Honolulu has
had the effect to revive hope among the
authorities of Hawaii of n union of
some kind with this country in the
near future, though Mr.. Foster could
speak on the subject only as a private
individual. 1t appears that gentleman
has become convinced, from II study of
the situation, that annexation of the
Sandwich Islands to the United States
is greatly to be desired and that fact is
being made the most of by the advo-
Gates of annexation.
The republican national platform de-
clures that the Hawaiian islands should
be controlled by the United States and
to interfere with them. Major McKin-
ley approved this position of the party
in his letter of acceptance. But the
declaration of the platform does not
necessarily imply that the United States
should annex those islands, The control
demanded need 20 no farther than to
insist upon the independence of the
islands so far as foreign nations are
concerned and the safeguarding them
from interference. Nobody questions
that it is our interest and our duty to
do this and it is undoubtedly the under
standing of the nations that it is our
intention to do it. Having recognized
the republican government of Hawaii,
we should accord it every moral sup
port, but neither tolerate any foreign
interference with it nor Interfere with
it ourselves. 1t should be permitted to
work out its destiny in its own way
and if it be the will of the Hawaiian
people that republican government
there shall be maintained the American
people will give it all proper encourage
ment and support.
More thaa this the United States can
not wisely and prudently do. AnneXa-
tion of the islands would be departure
from the traditional policy of this couu-
try that no conservative citizen, respect
ing the policy of the past, can contem-
plate without apprehension. Hawaii is
remote territory. 1t is more than 1000
miles distant from our western bound
aly. Its possession would require
large annual outlay for military and
naval protection, most if not all of
which would come out of the pockets of
American taxpayers. But the great OBJ
lection to the proposition of annexation
is that it would inaugurate policy of
territorial acquisition which might be-
come n source of serious trouble. for
once having embarked on such course
it is impossible to say where it would
halt. Domination of the sentiment
for territorial extension would be n
dangerous thing.
We confidently believe that Major |
Mckinley will be found to take con
view of this matter and that |
his administration will be guided in |
regard to 1t by the traditional policy !
of the government and the intelligent |
judgment of the country.