The record-union., 1897-05-24
HAWAII AND FOREIGN PURPOSE.

Very little credit is to be given to
the report that came in yesterdays
news dispatches that if the reciprocity
treaty with Hawaii is abandoned the
island republic will Immediately treat
with England for the placing of the ISL
lands under English protectorate, or
for transfer of Hawaii bodily to the
English 1t is said that Commissioners
of the little republic are now in Eng
land, or en- route, with that purpose in
view
1t might be possible if the United
States assumed an attitude of indiffer-
ence towards Hawaii, that the Dole
Government in case of threat of domi-
nation or undue pressure upon it from
other directions, would appeal to the
Government of Great Britain to be
friend it, even to extend a protectorate
over Hawaii. But there is nothing in
present advices, or the situation at
Honolulu, to indicate that any such
idea is in mind even as a tentative
proposition.
1t is noteworthy that the Honolulu
Gazette" of the 18th instant asserts
with a great deal of vigor that our
is eternal cannot be conceded. The
claim that we were ceded that
harbor in perpetuity is fatty denied,
and it is pointed out that what was
0f ITiNi-
leges in the harbor exclusively. But
these conditions, it is avered, are all
dependent upon the reciprocity treaty.
The Hawaiian Gazette" says:
1t is well known that American
statesmen are 10th to loosen the grip
of the United States on Pearl Harbor
rights Whatever their ideas on the
mutual benefits of the treaty may be,
whether they favor annexation or not,
a large majority appreciate the advan-
tage already gained for a naval and
coaling station in the Pacific and will
think twice before placing that advan-
tage on the market. Secretary Sherman
has stated more than once his belief
that the United States has paid for
Pearl Harbor twice over, but as moth
~
treaty or the correspondence accom-
panying it, there is small probability Of
Mr.. Shermans argument holding diplo-
matte water The abrogation
of the reciprocity treaty leaves Ha-
wall to do what it pleases with Pearl
Harbor. OF course if the United States
asserts it's eternal rights to the har-
Dor and makes known it's readiness to
he with WaTShinS
Hawaii will have to bow the knee. We
do not believe however, a majority can
be secured to assert such a policy. II
the fight over the treaty reaches a crit
ical stage, Hawaii's friends viii have
in the control of the key to the Pa
cific." vantage ground upon which the
fiercest abrogationists viii tread with
care.
The annexation spirit is strong
among the whites in Hawaii. and TO q
considerable extent it takes hold of ma
tives. II is the opinion of observers
that it is growing rapidly in this lat
ter quarter. The fear of japanese un-
friendly intervention seems to have
passed. The Japanese Commissioner
is in Honolulu at present. and the in
vestigations he has made appear Il
have run the recent difficulty down Il
a technical construction OF single
single clause Of the treaty with Japan
taken in connection with the require
ments of the Hawaiian immigration
laws.
The Gazette of the 9th instant
says that it is simply case of con
struction of international law, owe
which there is an honest difference O
opinion; that the sensational report:
published in the Japanese newspaper
which so alarmed the Hawaiians prove
TO be wholly unrepresentative of th'
purpose of the Japanese Government
1t is added that Japan has enough t,
engage her full attention withou
prowling about the Pacific Ocean look
ing for trouble or seeking conquests
The Gazette" says:
The Japanese people are shortsighte,
and cannot appreciate the dangers sur
rounding their nation. but the men a
the head on whom rests the responsi