The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-04-08
"A Fair Exchange Is No Robbery

HTD are &Nlfak 10 TIE f&t1EsG5 Is DS <tksFAtE
TO - disagre@abfy felt
In the event Of annexation the United
States would assume. Of course. the Ha-
waiian debt OF probably 6 ass SOC which
u out Al PER cent The income in rentals
from the crown lands or what are now
called the public lands. Is sufficient 10
more than keep up the interest on this
debt. and q very nominal tax has been
sufficient not only TO maintain the govern
nent but 10 create fund inst has as
stunned very respectable proportions as a
treasury surplus. much larger under the
present economical administration Of az
fairs as a republic than ever WIS known
under the monarchy. About 81 %. 90 OF
the public debt Is held Ia England. but the
securities are 50 written that they may Re
taken up Al any tine at the option Of the
government The medium OF exchange Is
almost entirely American money. The dol
lar being the standard. There Is about
81 0hS.eas OF Kanaka silver currency IN cir
culafion. being tire amount secured for
King Kalakaua By Claus spreckels."
The natives are opposed 20 the present
form % government. and would vote for
annexation II the question were submitted
10 them. As a political element they
are uncertain. however. as a native
opinion on matters OF national Importance
may be purchased for q drink Of gin or,
az Mr.. Rice puts IL. "a feed"
The popular idea In connection with the
annexation problem az stated by Nr. Rice.
Is that a territorial government Is not
wanted The dread OF carpet -baggers'' is
uppermosf the idea Is abnorrent alike 10 the
native and foreign elements. What Is sug-
gested In the way OF Island control by the
United States is that Of a naval station
with a coumanaant as the chief govern
ment official Subordinate 10 him would &c
the local government officials. who would
conduct the affairs OF TIE islands accord
ing 20 their needs, under the same pos
tai customs and internal revenue laws. i'm
migration laws and other features Of the
United States that prevail in this govern
ment's territories With the idea OF the
islands becoming naval station, It's i'm
pertance would not be diminished as a
governmental possession. The docks and
shops necessary for the use OF the naval
department would Increase its value. There
is. al present. no dry dock there, and only
small marine way. sufficient 10 take yes
sells not to exceed loo tons. is available
FOR any use.
An Enthusiast.
Mr.. Rice is an enthusiast on the subject
OF annexation. He has been In a position
to study the advantages OF the PROPOSE
ton and f. firm believer In It's ultimate
contamination. His wife Is the daughter
OF Chief Justice Harris. who died in 1857
Mr.. Harris went from Portsmouth Mass,
10 California in 1919 and from California In
the same year 10 the Sandwich islands.
where he lived until he died holding under
the monarchy many important positions.
OF which the chief tusticeship was the last.
He acquired plantation property which is
now very productive and immensely val
liable. The family connections have placed
Mr.. Rice In position TO canvass the best
means Of protecting the islands. and with
the true American instinct, he looks for
ward TO seeing the Stars and Stripes
waving from above the public buildings
OF what is now the Hawaiian republic.
Queen LII.
When asked as TO the intentions OF
Queen LII who Is still in Washington City,
Mr.. Rice replied that nobobdy has any
knowledge OF the ex-duecn's next move.
She Is entirely under the influence of her
personal representative. Palmer. who is
mainly responsible for her downfall Had
she kept out OF politics she might s;iH
have been queen. All that was asked Of
her was her signature 10 state papers
the holding Of court and drawing $4,000
per year to live on. Unfortunately. she
was not far-sighted and allowed herself
20 Re led. which made all Of the suisse
duent revolution and reorganization of
the government necessary. Should an
nexatlon be accomplished there Is little
doubt that the ex-queen will make GER
tain requests Of the United States for a
pension or an annuity OF some sort that
viii enable her 10 live In comfort in the
United States.
Mr.. Rice has with him some recent pub
locations Of the government relative 10
the agricultural, commercial and financial
resources Of the Hawaiian islands. issued
by the department OF foreign affairs
which are highly interesting. one In par
tlculaF Is a first rate example Of what
Is being done ny the publishing house
which got Il out. The work Is deliberately
Illustrated by haif-tone engravings OF
many OK the modern public buildings and
by some OF me beautiful streets and drives
OF the cauital city.