The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1897-04-13
Nansealing Rubbish from the
ElbnOlOsist.
He 'Favors Annexation Under Limits
-Fibs About the Hawaiians,
and Attacks Royalty.

A representative citizen OF Homo
lulu, widely known in scientific cir
cles in this country, is Prof. w. 7.
Brigham, the director OF the Bishop
Museum of Polynesan Ethnology |
and Natural History at Honolulu.
Prof Brigham has recently passed
some time in Boston after Europe
an tour in the interest Of his pro-
fession. He is enthusiastic in his
praise OF the Hawaiian Islands and
their climate, and in the prospect OF
the establishment there OF an ex-
tensive biological station for the
study of tropical deep sea life. He
is in no sense politician, and hence
his unbiased opinion of the politi-
cal situation 10 the islands, from the
standpoint OF an intelligent citizen,
is Of value.
81 think" he said, chat the feel
ing that the islands should be an
nexed to the United States is daily
growing stronger in the islands and
more fixed and settled. But there
is still difference OF opinion as to
methods. Several plans OF annex
alton have been proposed. Some
desire the admission OF the islands
"a State of the Union. | think
that so extreme a view is hardly
justfiable; aud should also object
strongly to the annexation OF the
islands as a county of California.
The State Of California is thoroughly
dominated by railroad interests, and
such control would not be to the
taste of thu Hawaiian people. Then
there are some people who advocate
annexation with territorial form OF
government. | should object also
to that, because we do not care to be
governed by political adventurous
sent out to us as the Territorial
| Governors are.
"The best plan, in my opinion, is
to establish some form OF govern.
ment similar to that by which the
District Of Columbia is managed. l
should advocate government by a
Board OF Commissioners, in which
there should be more or less local
influence. Perhaps one might be
appointed by the President Of the
United States and the other two
elected by the people of the islands.
| think that such plan as this
would be acceptable to the majority
of the people.
"For myself, l should prefer, on
some accounts, to be annexed to the
British Empire. The chief reason
for this feeling is that Great Britain
protects its colonies and its people
wherever they may be. And this
protection is granted, no matter
which party may be in power in
Parliament. But we all recognize
the fact-even the British residents
in the islands recognize it-that an
! nexation to the British Empire
would be our commercial ruin. AL
or the vast majority OF our com
mercial relations, are with the Unit
, ed States, and it is in the trade will
this country that our prosperity lies
, To become British territory would
be terrible blow to us. Ii we nigh
/, maintain independence, with com
3 plete reciprocity arrangement will
the United States, it would be salts
a factory to many. But we could no
be sure OF a continuance of such
reciprocity agreement, with tn
liability Of a radical change OF al
s ministrstion at Washington. Onl,
J, with annexation shall we feel abso
y Lutte commercial safety"
. "What is the feeling among tn
native Hawaiians in regard to annex
alton to the United States2" wa
l. asked,
. 81 think that the majority Of ther
! would like it, That is, they woul
@ like the idea OF becoming porto
Q of great nation, II poll coul