The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-12-16

ton are better understood. At present
there Is, perhaps. safe majority tor
annexation i'm both houses. and Senator
Morgans bill for annexation oy joint re-
solution might be passed II II were voted
on to-day, but IL will not be voted on
for some time, If at all. and in the mean
while factors working FOR It's defeat
promise To become increasingly active.
The circumstance that Speaker Reed Is
said TO be opposed 10 the scheme may
affect its fortunes IN the House TO
very material extent.
The chief argument for annexation u
that IL Will give us the key TO the Ia
cinc," as II an island 1000 miles away
from our coast could be retained ny us
without navy that gave rs mastery ol
the sea \ key Is useless without a lock,
and we lack the lock. Gibraltar Is "a
key" but 1t would soon pass out OF Eng
lands hands II England were not mis-
tress Of the sea and able 20 knock out
In naval combat any power That should
try to take IL from her. In the same
way Hawaii would be lost 10 ms as soon
a we got into war with power stronger
in ships than we are. Fortresscs cam
not stand alone We should need TO Keep
q fleet near Hawaii In war time 20 protect
IT, II we meant 20 keep 1t and make II
useful. and that feet would be taken from
the defence of the exposed ports and
cities OF the United States. So far as va
should need to weaken our battle line IN
the Atlantic or on our Pacinc coast IN
order 10 protect remote Hawaii, Just &C
far Hawaii would be 10 w a source OF
weakness instead OF strength. IL would
be. In fact, al the mercy OF any rowing
fleet Of the enemy. TO defend II ade-
quately would take our battleships lar
from their proper base and sphere Of op'
erations.
-Four years ago Captain Mahan, who has
been quoted IN favor Of Hawaiian annex
alton, had this TO say In the Forum on
the general subject OF the value or keys
without supreme sea power.
There is, however, one caution 10 be
given from that military point OF view
beyond the need OF which the world has
not yet passed. Military positions, FORTH
I. fled posts, by land or by sea, however
strong or admirably situated. do hot by
themselves confer control. People often
say that such an island or harbor VIII
give control Of such body OF water. IL
is an utter, deplorable. rulnous mistake.
The phrase may indeed by some be used
only loosely without forgetting other I'M
piled conditions OF adequate protection
and adequate nayles. but the confidence
of our own nation In It's native strength
and its indifference 10 the defence " It's
ports and the sultcency OF It's fleet give
reason TO fear that the fun consequences
of a forward step may not be soberly
weighed Napoleon, who knew better,
once talked this way The Islands OF
San PietrO, Corfu and Malta hC wrote,
will make us masters of the whole Medi-
terranean.' Vain boast. Within ono
year Corfu, I'm two years Malta, were rent
away from the state that could not sup
port them by It's ships. Nay. more; had
Bonaparto not taken the latter strong
hold out OF the hands OF its degenerate
but innOcuous government, that citadel
oe the Mediterranean would perhaps
would probably-nsver have passed into
those Of his chief enemy. There is here
also lesson for us"
From the military point OF view the
acquisition Of Hawaii Is foolish because
IL would divide our forces while exposing
us 10 increased rsks.-Baltimorc sun.