Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1897-10-21
THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.

Russia has been striving for centu-
res to reach the open sea- me
dream of Peter the Great has become
crystalli2ed into national aspiration
Gibraltar, Malta, the SueZ canal, ana
the preponderating strength OF the
British navy make the Mediterranean
an English lake, even should Russia
pass the Bosphorus, The entrance TO
Russias Baltic ports Is blocked ny
ice for a great part oi the year
Thwarted on the west and south, ice
bound on the north, this great, mys-
FERROUS, seemingly Irresistible power
extends her dominion steadily until
she reaches the sea of Japan on the
east; acquiring, by bold and skilful
diplomacy the Amur country, equal
in area to France For the purpose
of uniting her vast dominions, Russia
Is pushing to speedy completion her
II eat Siberian railway from the Vral
mountains to her Asian seaport for
tress. The names around this eastern
fortress indicate Russian aspirations;
Vladvosock, means ruler OF the
east" the harhor is called the golden
horn" the passage to the sea, the
eastern Bosphorus:' and the bay,
the Gulf of Peter the Great, II not
in Europe, yet in Asia, after centu-
ries Of patient striving, will Russian
dreams of becoming n sea power at
last be realized.
The presence of Russia in the far
east, and the possibility of combina-
ton between Russia and China, fol-
lowed by the awakening OF China
from her sleep OF centuries; the eX-
ter sion OF French dominion In lndo-
China Siam, and Madagascar; tie
partitioning Of Africa and the islands
Of the Pacific among European pow
crs, the Industrial growth OF Japan,
and her entrance into the family or
nations as a great naval and military
power; the completion OF the great
military highways from Halifax to
Vancouver, and from ST. Petersburg
TO Vladivostock; the rapid peopling
Of British Columbia and our north
Pacific states. and Of the Amur and
Manchuria districts, all tend to
change the front OF the world, and to
transfer to the placid Pacific the ma
tional activities which, for three cen
turtles past, have rendered the Al
lantic the theater OF stirring events.
We must expect points OF vantage in
the Pacific TO be occupied There is
a vast area Of the Pacific ocean with
one, and only one, great landlocked
harbor. easily defended, Pearl har-
bor In the Hawaiian islands.
The Hawaiian islands-~the most
strategic position In the Paciflc-arc
today like . derelict flying n flag OF
distress in mid ocean. With a gov
eminent representing a minority in
significant in numbers liable to over
throw at any time from internal
causes, or from dangerous compiled
tions growing out Of the preponder-
ance Of aliens, the situation, In 70
spect Of these islands, in view OF the
and far-reaehing inter
terests that are involved, IL such as
10 demand the immediate action Of
our government We cannot with
honor recede from the protsctorate
which we have maintained for more
than fifty years: and continuation |
OF existing conditions may at any
time involve this country In troubles |
which could not arise were the islands |
to become part OF our possessions.
Our interests, as well as our national |
honor, now demand the annexation |
Of the Hawaiian group =. r.. Proc
ter In the Forum.