The record-union., 1897-04-02
Is HAWAII IN DANGER

The news from Hawaii of the attempt
to land half a thousand japanese labor
ers in defiance of the regulations of the
island republic, requiring it to be first
established either that the immigrant
had $50 in money or a consular certi-
fication granting permission to land, is
very disQuieting. On the Government
refusing to permit the unlawful invas-
ton of immigrants, the resident Japan
ese gathered and threatened mob vio-
lence, and they have now appealed to
their Government to take action in
the matter and send a warship to Hon
olulu to look after their interests. There
is said, also, to be upon the islands an
agent Of the Japanese Government who
is believed to be making a cursory sur
vey of topographic features, the coast
and the harbors; at any rate his actions
are mysterious.
1t is altogether probable that Hawaii
will early have trouble with the Japan
ese If some other nation does not come
~ the dlQ VI lIlS pitStLi
Numerically the Japanese are not now
strong enough in Hawaii to resist the
Government forces. But they can
spread dissatisfaction among the ma
tives, terrorize the Chinese and bring
the community to such a pass as to
give the Mikados Government excuse
for interference which would mean ac-
QUESTION of the group by force and
arms, unless some stronger power
should interpose to forbid the theft
It looks to US very much as if the
Hawaiian Government is about to be
confronted with a serious difficulty, one
for which it is no wise blamewo orthy
AS a Government it is capable, has con-
Quoted affairs with economy, discretion
and justice. Under it the islands are
prosperous, and the people happy and
fully protected in their rights 1t is a
representative form of government and
closely modelled after our own. But the
assault from the outside it may not be
abe to resist If it comes, and especially
a
very large body of foreigners now in
the islands, and who have shown them
selves antagonistic to the republic and
every step it has taken.
1t is not at all singular that Japan
should cherish a desire to possess this
splendid mid-ocean station. England
and Germany and even France have
entertained the same ambition. Eng
land has SO many island possessions to-
day that it Is said to be impossible to
sail in any seas and not pass within
British jurisdiction; that there is not a
single great ocean passage that is not
guarded by a British station. France
and Germany have a less number of
ocean posts, but such as they hold are
very advantageous. The United States
has not one in its own right. 1t has
two by treaty, but they are liable at
any moment to be snatched from us,
and would be in case of war with
either of the great Powers named.
1t is not, therefore, surprising that
Japan should covet the Hawaiian
group, and in the game of nations it
will not be astonishing if she attempts
to build excuses for the seizure The
little brown man has not been absorb
ing Anglo-Saxon virtues alone, nor
simply copying British and American
excellences. He has taken note of
vices also, and has studied the game of
politics in which nations take tricks by
devices that in private life would be
dubbed cheating and rascalty.
There are very many evidences that
impress the onlooker very deeply with
the thought that Japan covets Hawaii
and that the desire is not without the
possibilities of accomplishment. The
question for us to ask ourselves is.
What are we going to do about it?
Permit the world to laugh at the great
est of republics as too stupid TO know
when advantage is being taken of it?"
If we are not to annex Hawaii: If it is
impolitic to make it a dependency of
this country, we at least should see to