Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1897-03-08
AS TO CONTROL.

There would seem to be but one
mind among public men and
writers in the United States upon
the proposition that the control OF
the Hawaiian Islands should new
er pass from that nation. Similar
unanimity does not prevail as &c
either the nature or the degree OF
such required control. One set is
satisfied with things as they are
resting on the doctrine often de
clared - officially, semi. officially
and unotlicially - that no other
Power shall be allowed to inter.
fere in the affairs of Hawaii.
Branching from this doctrine is the
opinion of proportion of its
holders that the United States her.
self should interfere rs little as
possible with Hawaiian affairs.
Further, there is a band of extrem-
lists, whose motive to a large ex-
tent is selfish, who advocate that
the United States, while holding
all the rest of the world at arms
length from Hawaii, should make
not the slightest sacrifice for
maintaining present relations
to this country. To strengthen
their argument these people find
it necessary to assume that the ex-
listing status between the two
countries does involve a sacrifice
on the part of the United States.
The assumption is easier than de.
monstration, but this point may
be left for special discussion, of
which it has had much and will
have more. 1t is enough, here, to
show that there is a class which
argues that the United States
should dominate the relations of
Hawaii with all other nations,
while doing nothing, or as little
as possible, toward preserving the
bonds of intercourse whereby Ha-
waii is constrained to regard the
United States as not only its
guardian but it's best friend and
in matters of free government
and advanced civilization - its
veritable mother country.
Another section Of American
public opinion holds that the con-
troll of the Hawaiian Islands is
worth goodly price to the United
States, and, sacrifice or none, that
the existing relations should be
drawn closer, with all the advan-
tages to the United States which
can be incidentally gained. Those
of this view would have the recip-
rocity treaty not only preserved
but widened in its scope, and the
privilege Hereunder of the United
States to occupy Pearl Harbor as
naval station utilized. This
would greatly increase the trade
between the two countries, estab-
lish clear protectorate over Ha.
waiian territory, give the United
States most valuable and neces.
sary vantage ground for the pro-
lection of her commerce in the
Pacific and, in short, raise her
control" from a merely jealous
and possibly oppressive doctrine
of national selfishness to one of
equitable dignity and information.
al benefit. This section is only
withheld from going in for abso-
lutte acquisition of the Hawaiian
Islands through treaty of union,
by doubts whether it is constitu.
tional or polite to acquire terrific.
ry off the continent, and whether
Hawaii is as yet in a condition of
readiness to bear her part credi-
tably as a member Of the American
Commonwealth. These doubts
just mentioned are all that segre
gate the section referred to from
another-which we in Hawaii
fondly hope is even now the most
powerful of all in American poll