Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1897-12-21
NOT THE END OF 1T.


of State John w. Foster, who VIII lie a
member of the Harrison cabinet nego.
tiated the first treaty for annexing Ha
waii to the United States, and who
has since visited the islands and taken
much interest in their acquisition, when
asked as to the status of the annexation
question, said:
The opponents in congress of Ha-
waiian annexation will not have dis
posed of the question by voting against
and defeating this measure. They
must decide what shall be the policy
and conduct OF the United States
toward the islands for the future. Hav-
ing refused the application of the island
government for incorporation into our
Union. such an act necessarily carries
with it the right of the former to de-
termine its own political destiny, I'M
influenced by considerations affecting
the United States.
But such a course would present
embarrassments to congress of no small
moment. During the last admiristra-
ton of President Cleveland the house
of representatives resolved that foreign
intervention in the political affairs of
the islands will not be regarded with
indifference by the government of the
United States During that session
the senate went a step further and de-
clared that amy intervention in the po-
litical affairs of the islands by any gov
prnmnnt WpnII ha rarorlal og -, n,k
unfriendly to the United States.'
'These utterances were in line with
the policy of our government for half
a century, but it is possible and compe-
tent for congress to change the policy
OF the government at any time. Its
rejection of annexation would in effect
nullify the declarations cited, but there
would still be another serious embar-
rassment to be disposed of, to-wit, the
reciprocity treaty. 1t would be easy
to annul the commercial clauses of that
convention, which would be in har-
mony with the views long cherished
10y many of our public men, but the
political clauses of hat treaty present
a different question. They are two in
number:
First, a stipulation on the part of
Hawaii not to lease, dispose or create
any lien upon any port, harbor, or
other territory to any other govern
ment, and, second, to grant to the
United States the exclusive right to
Pearl harbor as a cOaling and naval
station.
1.-THE first of these political clauses
might terminate with the treaty, and
after the rejection of annexation it
would be inconsistent on u part to in
sist upon it's maintenance. The second
clause, however. is held by the senators
who ratified the treaty to be a per-
manent grant. The remuneration of
the reciprocity treaty would still leave
us with the grant of Pearl harbor. 1t
is the only place suitable for a. naval
station in those islands or anywhere
within a radius of 1000 miles.
Whatever may be the sentiment of
the American people as to annexation,
l doubt whether any considerable BODY
OF them would approve of the surrender
OF this very valuable station for our
growing navy, and for which we have
paid so dear a price in our reciprocity
arrangements. And yet, with the re-
lection of annexation we must look for
ward to the certainty of it's eventual
surrender, as its occupation by US
would be impossible with the islands
under the domination of another pow
erful government.
Even if the treaty is rejected by
the United States, it will not be diff
cult for the present Hawaiian govern
ment to maintain itself against local
opposition. The property interests,
which are almost exclusively held by
the white residents and foreigners, will
control the government so long as it
maintains its independence. But it ia
plain that the islands cannot long
maintain their autonomy. The pres
ent most threatening danger is from
Japan. That country may be perfectly
sincere in its declaration that it does
not seek the annexation of the islands,
but the curent events, if not checked,
will lead inevitably to that result.
But | do not think the islands will
pass under the dominion of Japan.
If the people OF American origin now
in control of the government are reject
ed by congress, they will. in my opin-
ion, turn to their kinsmen, the English
and Canadians. They have learned
from the colonial history of Great
Britain that wherever the British flag
goes there follows low taxation, just
laws n honest government.
while have nc information as to
the purpose OF the present Hawaiian
rulers, | feel sure that when it is
finally determined that they are not to
be annexed to the United States, they
Will lose no time in opening %negotia-