Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-30
WE NEED HAWAII



can justly blame them for this desire.
They need Hawaii need it-because
Its possession dominates and commands the
entire North Pacific. where today. as
prophesied by Secretary Seward, the COM
mercial and other conditions are more
rapidly changing than anywhere else on
the globe.
Hawaii is the stepping stone the gate
way of Asia and the pivotal point of the
whole Pacific; the one. the only, point OF
supply for thousands of miles In any di-
rection- glance at the map will show
its prodigious Importance to any nation
which possesses it. 1t is nearer to US than
any nation, and, as a matter of fact,
though not generally remembered by even
our well-informed people, 1t is east of ou1
western boundary of Alaska: and the Aleu-
tian Islands, our possessions. are about
thousand miles still further west of
Hawaii Non-contiguity. the stock argu-
ment of so many people FUSED likewise
against our acquisition of Alaska), is of
little value or force when these facts are
considered Another glance at the map will
reveal the vital, overwhelming Importance
OF Hawaii in connection with the Nicara-
qua canal, which sooner or later must be
constructed. and firmly believe is deferred
merely because of our excessive caution.
prudence and conservatism. We were, as
We all remember. equally conservative
about the building of railroad to the
Pacific coast. The war broke out and an
empire, from the British possessions to
Texas and from the Pacific ocean to the
ROCKY mountains, was put in jeopardy by
the previous failure to build that road. As
a consequence California and Oregon. while
In one sense overwhelmingly loyal, were
largely disloyal because the Pacific railroad
had not been built and the troops recruited
In San Francisco for service east were re-
tanned on the coast by the War Depart
ment because of the feeling. and the posi-
bic action. of those who advocated Pa
cific republic" The road was finally built
and the people were satisfied. 1t was
deemed. and in very fact the building OF
the road was. essentially and thoroughly a
war measure Its construction and loyal
citizens kept the Pacific coast in the
Union. and California poured its gold into
the treasury and the blessed sanitary com
mission.
Duty of This Nation
In the lives of nations as of individuals,
there are times when a course of conduct ia
thrust or forced ON them; a condition pre-
vailing which, irrespective of all argu-
ments, leaves open but one wise course
This believe is the case in regard to an
nexing the Hawaiian Islands now. 1t is
conceded that under no circumstances can
We or should We, PERM, any other nation to
acquire Hawaii; and we know that for over
seventy years this nation by it's highest
off1c1als and the explicit resolutions of Con-
gress mas practically said, Hands off Ha-
vail to all other nations 1t must be adj
mitted that there has existed an overrulins
cause for this course on our part That
cause was. and is. self-preseryation self
defenSe. self-protection, defense and pro-
lection of that which is ours and for which
we are ever ready to fight If need be. Here
In lies the vast Importance to US of Ha-
wall.
COnIfnG Station.
"A child now knows that the value or
usefulness of modern man-of-war is linn
tied to her coal capacity. Without coal she
is merely so much iron and steel, harmless
as the proverbial lamb. The nation that
holds Hawaii possesses the one point where
coal and other supplies can be obtained in
the north Pacific. war ship from the
Asiatic coast is about out of coal when she
reaches the Pacific coast Some one NAV
remark that British battle ship. in case of
way between England and the United
states. can recoal at Esquimault. I say no.
because We will then have taken Esqui-
mault by land. and I never thought the
ornaments of Esquimault were or are in
tended for us. They are intended for the
great and important changes and events
now as Tor years past taking place in the
racine In fact. within the last few days
the world has come to realize that the dis
memberment of China has begun: and
Japan, having emerged from her position as
q hermit nation mas become strong insular
warlke power, with military prestige and
existing conditions of overpopulation, etc.
which cause her to have aspirations natu
RAJ aspirations, which she feels quite capa-
bic or indulging and seems more than
ready TO maintain. Whatver NAV be her
intention or wishes touching Hawaii, it still
remains for US to know, as We do that her
possession of Hawaii would be of the grav-
est import to us.
The Hawaiian Race.
Ihe Hawaiian race has been and is rap
Idly dying out, and. in fact, is today in the
minority in Hawaii Aside from the nat
ural desire Of some Hawaiiars, who see
place and profit in the restoration of the
monarchy, the natives care nothing about
so-called self government They never
nave been self-governed since they were
brought out OF savagery and barbarism by
Americans; Their kings were always
guided and controlled by Americans who
were the advisers and officers of the gov
eminent This continued down to a few
wears ago, when the ex-queen, by her de-
termination to do those things which
threatened the safety of life and property
ard indicated a relapse into the habits and
supersttions of the ancient barbarism of
Hawaii, forced the law-abiding Americans
into revolution as mere matter of self
protection and defense. That they did not
resort 10 revolution as pocket patriots for
Observation-Disclosures or profit, still less for
power, is demonstrated by their repeated
chers of their power and their country to
America: that they did not assume power
for profit is proven 10y their honest wise
and economical nistration of all the
affairs of the republic, with revenues ex-
ceedinS expenditures. ard not even a whis-
per o. corruption impropriety of any
Kind But they, one and all. are anxious
realize the feebleness and helplessness Of
their mite of a republic in the event of
complications sure to arise; they know
their danger from outside causes and from
powerful, ambitious nations by reason of
The strategic Importance of Hawaii to coun-
tries who need the islands for the dominate
Ing power their possessions would give in
the entire Pacific. They know. too, the
vast import Of recent. startling events, and
the proSa re consequence TO them II they
are obliged 10 stand alone. They cannot
staCd alone, they make no pretense to be
able 10 d so: they must, If we decline to
annex then, and thereby turn our backs
on oCr pE.n flesh and blood, our own peo-
pie. WIN have made Hawaii what it is.
Then. indeed. must they turn to some other
powerful nation for annexation, protection
and security to life and property. And if
they do what do in such a case?
This is the all-inportant condition which
CCnfronts US.
Against PrOtectOrate.
II have heard suggestions of a protec-
tcTate. l pray God will keep this nation
from INDUCING in the hazardous business
of protectorates; from responsibility for
the acts of peOpIeS we do rot control