Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-10-11
A Thorough Summing Up Of
Reasons for Annexation.
And Answers to All the Objections
Made Against It,
D. Koa. 1. A. 1hurston, 4 Most Eminent Au.
thority on the Subject.

The handbook consists of a state
ment of the reasons in favor of annexa-
ton; brief description of Hawaii, it's
people. etc.. laws, treaties and all mat
tiers of special interest at this time.
A summary Of the reasons for and
against annexation are as follows:
For two generations the attitude of the
United States toward Hawaii has been
more than that of brother toward a lit
tie sister than the usual formal treatment
accorded other nations.
The reasons are that:
Hawaiian christianization, civilization,
commerce. education and development
are the direct product Of American effort
Hawaii is. in every element and quality
modern civilized community, child of
America.
Hawaii is the one American colony"
beyond the borders of the Union.
Honolulu Is the one foreign port in the
world where the stars and stripes float
over more ships than all other flags COM
bined
Out Of all this has grown sentimental
feeling toward Hawaii which does not
measure it's regard In dollars, combined
with a recognition of the strategic value
of Hawaii, and the determination that it
should not pass under the control of any
other foreign people. resulting in a settled
policy Of exclusion of other powers and
ultimate annexation.
Five reasons in favor of annexation are
enumerated, viz:
1t will prevent the establishment of
an alien and possibly hostile stronghold
in position commanding the Pacific
coast and the commerce of the North
Pacific, and definitely and finally Sc
cure to the United States the strategi-
cai control of the North Pacific, there
by protecting it's Pacific coast and
commerce from attack.
The claim that Hawaii is no more nee
essary to the United States in the Pa
cific than are the Azores in the Atlantic,
Is replied to as follows:
All of the great powers of Europe lie,
or have coaling stations, within steaming
distance of the Atlantic coast of the Uni
ted States. No nation possesses a coaling
station, near enough to the Pacific coast
to be available, as a base of operation
against it.
In the Atlantic there are scores of
islands which can be used as bases of ma
val supply and repair, while in the Pa
cific. from the equator to Alaska. from
Japan to the American continent, there is
but one spot where coal, bread or water
can be obtained and that spot is Hawaii.
The Pacific is so wide that naval ships
cannot cross and operate on the Pacific
coast without recoaling.
The distance from San Francisco to the
nearest naval station of England is 1900
miles; France $780, Spain 400: Russia
400; Japan $500 and China $500 miles.
A country in possession of Hawaii
would have base of supply and repair
within four or five days steaming of any
part of the Pacific coast, and be stand
ing menace to 1t and it's commerce.
By simply keeping other nations out of
Hawaii the United States will secure al
most absolute immunity from naval at
tack on its Pacific coast.
The m NJ 10 n M
merce of the Pacific is demonstrated by
the fact that Of the seven trans-Pacific
steamship lines plying between the North
American continent and Japan, China and
Australia. all but one make Honolulu a
way station.
Upon the opening of the Nicaragua or
Panama canal, practically all of the ship
ping bound for Asia, making use thereof,
will stop at Honolulu for coal and sup
plies.
SECOND REASON IN FAVOR OF AN
NEXATION.
The conditions are such that the
United States must act NOW to pre-
serve the results of its past policy, and
to prevent the dominancy in Hawaii of
n foreign people.
Until recently the simple announcement
by the United States of its policy. COM
bined with the control given by the re-
ciprocity treaty, has been sufficient to
make 1t effective. The time has come
when these are insufficient to effectuate
the policy or retain the advantages al
ready secured.
1t is no longer a question of whether
Hawaii shall be controlled by the ma
tive Hawaiian or by some foreign peo-
pie; but the question is, What foreign
people shall control Hawaii"
The treaty is terminable by either party
upon years notice. Those inimical to
American interests may obtain control in
Hawaii, and terminate all special privi-
leges now held by the United States, and
transfer them to rival nations; and that
other nations stand ready to avail them
selves of the opportunity is evidenced by
the fact that the English government has
recently attempted and is still attempting
to obtain the cessiOn or lease of one of
the Hawaiian Islands as cable station.
All that has stood in the way of it's con-
summation has been the reciprocity
treaty and the determination of Hawaii to
keep its face turned Americawards until
the annexation question is settled.
Second: Whether the reciprocity treaty
IS continued or not, conditions have devel-
oped which will as certainly evict Amerf-
can interests and control from Hawaii as
though 1t were accomplished by abroga-
ton of the treaty or by hostile guns.
The awakening of Japan has introduced
a new element into the politics or the
PaCi11C. Until recently Japan proHlDlteu
emigration. Now it is encouraged. The
Japanese in Hawaii number twenty-five
thousand.
During the latter part of 1896 and the
carly part of 1897 they came at the rate
of 2OO0 a month. If this rate of immigra-
ton had continued for q year. they would
have numbered one-half of the popula-
ton. The rate at which they were enter
ing Hawaii is, as compared with the pop
uiation of the United States. as though u
million Japanese a month were entering
San Francisco.
THE BASIS OF THE JAPAN-HAWAII
CONTROVERSY.
Hawaii has attempted to stay this inva-
sion by legislation against contract Ia
hnre~s and raupers. identical with that OF
the United States giving rise to the pres
emit controversy with Japan, who claim:
the absolute right OF emigration, by hel
people, to Hawaii.
Even though the legislation referred t.
Is sustained, immigrants who do not come
within its terms, will soon give Japan {
majority of the Inhabitants of the coun
try.
The Japanese are not eligible to citizen.
ship; but an energetic, ambitious, war
like, and progressive people can not b.
prevented from participating in the gov
eminent when they become dominant il
numbers, and the ownership of property
Already they are restless, and it will b.
fmpOSsible for any local INDEPENDENT GOV.