The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1897-08-10
Continued from 1st poge.)


took matters in hand, the island
had bonded debt of $2,314,OOO, and
in the Postal Savings Bank were
deposited about million dollars
Now, apparently, the debt has been
largely increased, for "the United
States Government not only extends
to Hawaii the protection demanded
but assumes the debt of Hawaii up
to total of $4,0000OO"-from which
it may be concluded that the new
regime has doubled the debt in the
space OF four years. That is not a
proof of successful administration
for the benefit OF the islands, though
it may be in harmony with American
financial traditions. Mr.. Stevens,
in one of his articles advocating an
nexation, wrote: GIN the name OF
what is most sacred in Christian
civilization, in behalf of a noble
American colony, holding the ad-
vanced post Of Americas progress,
the American statesmen, and the
American Government, thoughtful
Of Americas great future, will see
to it that the flag Of the United
States floats unmolested over the
Hawaiian Islands" Not a word as
to the wishes and interests of the
people Of Hawaii
This is one OF the marvellous feat
ures Of the situation, that annexa-
ton has not been advocated as
beneficial to the Hawaiians them.
selves. Nor is there any proof that
annexation is desired by the major
ity of white foreigners in the islands,
who are not citizens Of the United
States. At the latest census, that
of 1890, Hawaii contained popula-
ton of 34,436 natives, 61S6 half
castles, 1895 born Of foreign parents,
15,301 Chinese, 1880 Japanese,
S602 Portuguese, 1928 Americans,
1874 British, 1924 Germans, and
1904 other foreigners. We do not
know thu t any of these nationalities
have been polled upon the question
of annexation. Some OF them may
desire, and presumably they do, as
the Revolutionary Government of
1898 contained majority Of non
Americans; and they may hold
especially in view of the Mckinley
Tariff Bill - that their interests
would be best served by union with
the country which provides them
with the chief market for their ex-
ports. But they have not been form
ally consulted; and if they are con-
suited it can hardly be said that in
such matter they, who are aliens,
staying in Hawaii for their own
pleasure and profit, are entitled to
decide such a question over the
heads Of the native population. And
it must be borne in minds that the
natives can hardly be styled bar
barians. They had form of Con-
stitutional Government established
amongst them in 1852; they have
enjoyed the advantage of the teach
ing OF American missionaries since
1920; and it is over 60 years since
the American school system was set
up. According to Mr. Stevens: go
into the Chamber of Commerce, into
the principal churches, into the
Courts, iuto the schools Of Homo
lulu, Hilo, and other chief towns of
the islands, and you would think
yourself in New England or western
New York. X American
superintendent and teachers have
had the chief management Of these
schools in all these years, and Eng
lish is now the chief language taught
in them. The Kameha-
meha Industrial School, to establish
which an American and his native
wife, woman of intelligence and
excellent character, now deceased,
have given nearly seven hundred
thousand dollars, which has been
in snccessfnl operation for wears,