The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-12-16

islands BY any government viii be regarded
as an act unfriendly to the United States
These utteranceS were in line with the
policy Of our government for a half CEN
tury, but IL Is possible and competent for
Congress to change the policy of the gov
eminent at any time. It's rejection of an
nexation would in effect nullify the decla-
rations cited, but there would still be an
other serious embarrassment TO be disposed
of to wit, the reciprocity treaty. II would
be easy to annul the commercial clauses Of
that convention. and that would be I'm har-
mony with the views long cherished by
many of our public men, but the political
clauses of that treaty present a different
question They are two in number: First
a stipulation on the part of Hawaii not to
lease, dispose of or create any lien upon
any port harbor or other territory to any
other government; and, second, to grant to
the United States the exclusive right TO
Pearl-riVer harboF d coaling and naval
station. The first of these political clauses
might terminate with the treaty. and after
the rejection of annexation it would be IN
consistent on our part to insist on its MAIN
tenance The second clause however, is
held by the senator's who ratified the treaty
10 be q permanent grant.
The denunciatiOn Of the reciprocity
treaty would still leave us with the grant
of Pearl harbor. 1t is the only place suit
able for naval station in those islands or
anywhere within a radius of two thousand
miles. Whatever may be the sentiment of
the American people as to annexation /
doubt whether any considerable body of
them would approve of the surrender of this
y
and for which we have paid so dear
"A price in our reciprocity arrangement. And
yet, with the rejection of annexation, we
must look forward to the certainty of it's
eventual surrender, as our occupation would
be impossible with the islands under the
dominion of a powerful government.
Even If rejected by the United States it
will not be difficult for the present Hawaiian
government to successfully maintain itself
as against local opposition. For many
years before it was established the admin
istration Of the islands had been in the
control of the foreign residents, the native
rulers being mere puppets in their hands.
The property interests. which are almost
exclusively held by the white residents and
foreigners, will control the government so
long as II maintains its independence. But
i Is plain the islands cannot long maintain
their autonomy. The most threatening pres
ent danger Is from Japan. That country
may be perfectly sincere in its declaration
that 1t does not seek the annexation of the
Islands, but the current of events, if not
checked, will lead inevitably to that result.
treaty, as interpreted by Japan, will soon
bring about the supremacy of the Japanese
IN the Islands The authorities of the re-
public and the empire are now at issue as
70 this treaty. 1t requires. no prophet to
foresee which construction of it will pre-
YAH IL the islands are not annexed to the
United States or some other power does
not intervene.
But | do not think the islands will pass
under the dominion of Japan. If the people
or American origin now in control of the
government are rejected by Congress they
will, in my opinion. 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 follow equal taxation, just and i'm
partial administration of the laws and hon.
est and orderly government. While | have
no information as to the purposes of the
present Hawaiin rulers. 1 feel sure that
when 1t is finally determined that they are
not TO be annexed to the United States they
will lose no time in opening negotiations
with Great Britain. and the result of those
negotiations will be neither slow nor uncer-
tain.
Mr.. Seward. ore of the most far-sighted
OF our statesmen, declared in the Senate
half a century ago: The Pacific ocean, it's
shores its Islands and the vast regions be-
yond will become the chief theater of
events in the worlds great hereafter. Pos
sessed with this idea, he brought into our
Union the vast outlying territory of Alaska
and sought the annexation of Hawaii but
the time was not then propitious His
prophecy is becoming a reality to-day in
the wonderful development of the COM
merce of the Pacific. The opportunity
which he sought in order to give our coun-
try supremacy in this vast trade will be
thrown away and transferred to our great
est rival X we reject annexation now