The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1897-04-29
CAN WE ANNEX HAwAIIP
Some Pertinent Questions by Queen
Jiliuokalanps Secretary.

D.
Editor Post: Allow me first to say
that |, and | alone, am responsible
for these sentiments. Messrs, Hatch,
Hastings, Smith, Thurston, Hart
we'll aud Kinney, with the aid OF
Mr.. Foster, are, by their assertions,
commissioned attorneys to secure
the annexation Of Hawaii to the
United States. Is it usual to decide
a case by evidence procured only by
one aide May there not be un-
conscious, or even intentional mis-
representation These gentlemen
are commissioned by alien residents
of Honolulu, all other places having
no part in the overthrow OF 1898.
They are sent by President who
has never received one vote, not
even from his followers, holding a
seven years place by proclamation.
Had ballots been cast four-fiths of
the registry are disfranchised; but
one fifth, then, could have voted.
Can such a commission make bind
ing treaty.
But have they ever stated the
facts as to the own ership OF Hawaii 7
To whom does the territory belong7
Fifty years ago all land belonged to
the ruling chief Oue-third of the
domain is still owned by the re-
preventative Of the constitutional
monarchy. No title to this Called
the crown lands) can be given by
any person but LiiuUkslani, for the
records show that these have been
always treated az the private
property OF the highest chief.
Neither principal nor income has
ever appeared in government
accounts, but has been applied by
the ruler for the support Of the
people OF Hawaii.
Does the United States wish TO
pay the gross value OF these lands ?
Or even would it add to its enormous
pension list the amount justly due
Queen Liliuokalani, Princess Kaiu-
lani, two Princes more remote from
the succession, or even to each
Hawaiian who may have had claim
upon his chief for support2 The
amount due in equity TO this people.
10000 in number, would make the
cost OF annexation more than those
remote spots will ever be worth to
US. And if ignored, what induce
ments could justify settlers in i'm
proving estates where there can be
no good title.
Besides the above claim OF the
Hawaiians, four millions OF
acknowledged debts, and sundry
damages for alleged imprisonment
without cause, prospective, public
improvements would enormously in
crease our outlay.
The United States need not fear
that Japan will ever assume the
above responsibility. Her statesmen
and financiers are too wise. If this
be doubted, talk with them as have
done; do not take the testimony oil
professional attorneys. She may
protect her own from violation Of
treaty obligations, but that is all
None know this better than the
above-named commissioners. Why
protect them against foes internal
or foreign2
On the one side, millions to be
paid for defective title; by the
opposite policy, millions to flow al
once into our needy Treasury. BY
immediate notice to the present
rulers the reciprocity treaty can be
abrogated, and without changing
the tariff on sugar, We cease to en-
rich the few at the expense of the
many. Why should we continue tc
tax ourselves that sugar companies
may pay from ten to forty percent
in dividends to alien capitalists?
Hon. John w. Foster, in hi:
special plea for annexation, concede.