The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-06-18
WE NEED HAWAII.

The poll of Senators by correspond
ents at Washington gives but ma
;ority of one for ratification of the
treaty for the annexation of Hawaii.
We have reason to believe, however,
that this poll is largely speculative, and
is not entitled to much weight. 1t
would seem that the wisdom of the
action of the President is SO strong and
lucid that the Senate must by a con-
siderable majority agree to ratifica-
ton.
The friends of annexation should be
confirmed in their policy by the strange
action Of the Japanese Government in
fling a protest against the conclusion
of the treaty. Ostensibly this protest
is based upon the claim of Japan that
her treaty with Hawaii relative to the
admission of japanese to Hawaii, and
their acceptance by the island Govern
ment as citizens OF that Republic after
certain residence, would be abrogated
by annexation, and therefore Japan OBJ
Jects and protests.
Now, this cannot be taken as a mere
polite request to refrain. If it is any
thing at all worthy of consideration, it
is in the nature of a threat. When
one enters a protest it is warning
that something is about to be done by
another that infringes upon his right,
having its basis in law and equity,
and for which one would fight and
make sacrifices to maintain. Or else
it is a warning that principle is about
to be violated dear to the protestant,
and which he stands ready to defend
in arms.
What, then, is the attitude of Japan?
Simply this: Having secured from Ha-
wall a treaty of a most unusual and
very peculiar character, that has po-
litical features which will eventually
enable Japan through the immigration
and naturalization schemes to peace
fully conquer and safely possess Ha-
wall, we the Government of Japan OBJ
ject to any act on the part Of the
United States, or of Hawaii. or by the
two in conjunction, that will nullify
these special privileges weakly con-
ceded to US, and under which we pro-
pose to throw in large surplus pop
ulation from our own islands, and
ayailing of the political privileges that
we hold are secured to US, overrun and
possess the Hawaiian group. There
fore, the United States of America must
withhold its designs and quietly per-
nit US to carry out ours
That is about the long and the short
of it. But it is to be said that the
Hawaiian Government strenuously de-
MES that the treaty with Japan to
which it fell heir from the monarchy
justifies the claim of political power
for which the Japanese contend So
far as the United States is concerned,
1t is sufficient to know that annexa-
ton wipes out the treaty made with
Japan by the Hawaiian Government
that we cannot be bound by any obli-
cations of Hawaii which we do mot
NE~NAAAS~AAAS NAS1AAAAC III AAAC NOAAH4Ek vi
annexation
1t ought to be sufficient for all Amer
leans that it is now clear that If we
do not take Hawaii by consent of its
lawfully established Government, ia
Pan will seize her by the peaceable
means we have outlined, or perhaps
sooner by force of arms. That would
be intolerable to the United States.
From a commercial point of view,
We need Hawaii either under the wing
of our protection or as a colonial pos
session; either is desirable the latter
is more so. From the standpoint of a
naval power. we need Hawaii that we
may have al least one place on this
earthly ball where our ships may find
refuge and supplies in their own
waters, when far from the home con-
tinent.
England has such possessions under
every sun, on every passage into every
great sea save one; under the shadow
Of the coast cliffs of every nation OF
earth, along the shores of every land
In all the waters of all continents.