Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-12-23
PROBABILITY GROWING THAT HA-
WAII WILL he ANNENED.
ONLY SUGAR MEN FIGHTING 1T,
NEWEST SCHEME Is FOR An AMER
ICAN PROTECTOR ATE.
Sprung as the Lnst Hope of Defeating
AnncNntion-An IndOubtcd Mai
jority in Both Houses of
Congress in Favor of
Annexation.

Washington. Dec. c2.-Tne opposition to
me ratification of the Hawaiian treaty has
Hmmered down almost entirely 10 fhe
sugar trust. the Louisiana planters and the
boet-root sugar manufacturers in Nebras-
ka and California. There are a few scna-
tors who oppose the treaty on principle.
as they believe 1t in"xpcdicnt for the
United States TO assume the responsibility
of governing any detached territory. and
several on the Democratic side have joined
The opposition because they regard annex
auon as a Republican measure, although
their caucus struck il from the list of po-
litcal issues
lhe beet sugar men and the Louisiana
planters are displaying selfish and narrow
spirit which Will deprive them Of sympathy
and support when they come again TO con-
gress for legislation. For their benefit a
duty has been placed upon sugar and the
United States has been forced into a tariff
war with number of nations that has
caused considerable injury 10 other indus
tries. and particularly TO the export trade.
Congress has appropriated large sums Of
money and the agricultural department is
oeNotlnc a great deal of attention TO pro-
mote the bect-root industry. but Its rep
reSeniatiNes in Washington are trying 10
prevent any other interest from securing
the benefit of legislation. They object 10
IN" admission of the Hawaiian islands, be-
cause We import 200J1.UI pounds of sugar
annually from that source. which Is only a
drop in the bucket. The total imports of
sugar exceed 4,eJ, ,0th 0g0 pounds. While it
Is possible in the course of time for the
people of the United States to produce their
own supply of sugar. the increase in the
quantity consumed is SO rapid that the
Hawaiian product which is limited. would
scarcely he noticed. But the bcct-root men
are not willing to share their privileges
with other producers and the mana gers
Si tne sugar trust are endeavorinS TO
blackmail the Hawaiian producers into n
contract for long term of years under
which they may control the product from
those Islands in order to protect their pres
ent monopoly. This is the price they de-
mand for withdrawing their opposition to
annexation. When the beet-root producers
come 10 congress again for favors they
VIII find II more difficult 10 obtain them
than heretofore
To establish a proteCtorIte over Hawaii
is the latest scheme Of the opponents of an
GeAation. Having come TO the conclusion
that unless something is done congress Will
surely provide for annexation of the islands
oilher hy ratification of the pending treaty
or by "A direct bill, the enemies of ;innexa-
tion are preparing to introduce after the
i.assemblinG of congress bill to declare Il
protectoracy of the United States over the
Hawaiian islands.
he purpose Of this move Is manifest. One
great strength of the annexation idea is
that. unless the United States steps in and
solves the problem of the future of those
islands by means of anne Xation, this nation
rlaE ma itself IN trouble. IT. Tor instance,
England or Germany or Japan or Russia.
th- Hawaiians We're TO offer themselves tn
who can doubt that the offer would be ac-
copied?
In such an event the traditional policy Of
the United States, which is not TO permit
Hawaii TO fall into the hands of any other
power. would he violated. Nor is 1t sup
possible that the United States would sit
quietly by and see such a transfer of au-
th,rIty in the Hawaiis. At the same time.
the United States cannot, with dignity, play
TIE dog In the manSer. not only refuse 10
take the islands. but set up the claim that
no other power shall take them.
The cllues and lobbies which are here
working with might and main against an
neNation believe the protectoracy card will
weaken the force of this argument in favor
OF ratification of the treaty. for a protec-
tnracy would solve the future Of the isl
aitds. would insure peace and permanency
of the government and the prosperity of
the sugar planters and commercial inter-
ests What effect this proposition will have
lion the fortunes of the anne Nation plan
remains to he seen. At the present time
there is m undoubted majority for anneX;i-
lion in both houses of congress, and In the
senate il is still an open question whether
or not there is a two-thirds vote in favor OF
the treaty.