Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1897-02-03
soME RoUaiNG SPEECHES.
Continued from list Page.

think of q great fleet coming here,
with empty coal bunkers and men
exhausted after long voyage, and
take the place from an American
fleet as well prepared and with
men in fresh condition But Ill
do not regard the military argu-
ment as the best argument
for the United States. 1t
is the commercial argument.
The day is gone by when the
United States can shut herself in
behind q high wall from the
worlds commerce. What place
Oh the surface of the earth offers
such inducements for trade as the
Pacific ? The United States can
not find a great market in Europe,
witt lts manufactures employing
cheap labor. She must turn to
the west-she will turn to the
west. Different arguments may
be presented against annexation,
but the commercial argument in
its favor will finally win. The
United States must take Hawaii
unless she puts it off until it is
too late. The fact stands out be
fore us today that Japan, with a
splendid ambition, with all the
world before her, has her eye on
Hawaii. Japan is not to blame,
but wo are to be the victims. We
cannot stand before the sheer
force Of numbers. And gentlemen
make your friends over there I'M
derstand that il America does not
make Hawaii her outpost it will
fall to Japan without redemption.
Can we live here under japanese
rule ? No! BY sheer force of
numbers they will overwhelm us.
tbs is 60 be obviated by sunexa-
tiol. Our friends over there
must be made to appreciate the
situation. But after all the com
nercial argument is the one. 1t
is the argument that the Mug
wumps cannot get over. America,
that has acquired such grand
reputation for promoting arbitra.
tion, is not going to oe easily led
into war. The military argument
is not the strongest argument.
SPEECH BY MR.. DAVIS.
Mr.. GEO. A. DAVIS was intro
drcei as one who had not been
long enough in Hawaii to be either
a missionary or native Hawaii
an, therefore not liable to have
those praiudices said to grow like
moss on tie backs of old residents.
Mr.. Davis spoke in substance as
follows: If this were a political
meeting and local issues to be dis
cussed L do not think [ would be
here. l am no novice at this bust.
ness, and | made up my mind
when | came here to keep out of
politics. There is nothing dis
honorable in politics, although l
found there was nothing very re
munerative either. But L am not
ashamed to raise my voice in fav-
or of the annexation of this coun-
Try to the United States. We
need not be ashamed of Offering
the country either. A country
whose exports exceed its imports
BY five million dollars year is
goodly heritage. While war and
rats destroy the sugar cane of
Cuba, we will always have sugar
enough to eat. The bonded in
debtetness of this country is
something over four millions, but
. conservative estimate gives its
assets as eight millions. We have
twJ dollars for every one that we
owe, there are few countries on
she face of the earth which can
make such a showing. 1t would
not be Improbable for the United
States to annex these islands.
When the annexation commission
ers 60 to Washington they can
present a case before the American
people from business stand, they
can say that we are not, paupers.
We can pay the interest on our
debt Mt six per cent, and have a
surplus after paying ordinary ex
Henses of government. 1t might
be asked, "If you are able to take
care of yourselves, why do you
want annexation ?" Because if
annexed we would be free from
ipsurrection aud revolution, and
then could command money in the
markets of the world at three to
three and a half per cent: This
country is rich and the United