The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-15
HAWAIIAN Annexation.

! II seems likely that the hot weather in
Washington viii be aggravated by a Ha-
wailan annexation discussion. Some Of
/ the trust hunters and jingoes are now
| talking OF the matter. They preached it at
| a Senate caucus the other day. when 1t
was developed that there is a pretty strong
sentiment in favor of requiring this gov
eminent to reach out into the Pacific and
snatch the hot-house republic of the
Sandwiches, Notwithstanding the opposi-
ton Of the administration and a major
ity of public sentiment. The jingo senators
from New England are in favor of lend
ing a helping hand 10 their fellow country
men who went over TO Hawaii and. chas-
ing the natives out of the government
buildings. set Up 2 government Of their
own. The overthrow of the natives was a
New England enterprise-the republic is
a sort Of infant industry so 10 speak
hence as matter Of course the New Eng
land senators think it ought to be pro-
tected.
The trust hunters are willing and anx-
ious to do anything possible TO injure the
sugar trust They have heard that the
trust desires the abrogatio of the treaty
with Hawaii and the cessation Of CONNER
clal arrangements with the islands which
are exceptionally advantageous to the is
land sugar planters. The argument has
been advanced that the advantages afford
ed to Hawaiian sugar viii operate to the
great injury Of the sugar beet growing in
dustry in this country. But since the trust
f7 s1f
gar, they are anxious TO take Hawaii to
their bosoms and thus teach the trust
lesson. It probably makes no difference to
the annexationists that the Hawaiian su-
gar business is controlled by a very few
persons, who employ cheap, Asiatic labor
the cheapest in the woodland that the
English and German sugar bosses in the
islands would reap immense profits by an
nexation.
The administration, meanwhile, is on
record against annexation. In his inau-
gural address President Mckinley spoke
against a policy Of territorial aggrandize-
ment for the United States and shortly
thereafter his secretary of state, Hon
John Sherman remarked ito a high gov
eminent official al a dinner" that he was
opposed to the annexation Of any terri
tory whatever. or Cuba he said: 1--WE do
not want her. We have undeveloped
country of our own enough for centuries
to come. To so in for any policy of an
neXation would mean vast
expense and a great tax to us. We would
have to keep up four times the navy and
army that we do now. l would shut the
door upon Hawaii or on Canada as quick
ly as on Cuba. We don't want any more
territory. The annexation of Cuba and
Hawaii would cost us no end Of expense
It would roll up--this expense-day after
day and would never cease. Therefore it
would be wise to let them alone; refuse to
open to their knock"
Mr.. Sherman is not always in touch with
the majority of the best public sentiment,
but in this matter he was clearly in SYM
pathy with it. His expression was full of
good common sense. and coming just af-
ter the expression OF the President on the
same line, the country felt that it was not
likely that the mistake of Harrison would
be repeated under Mckinley. 1t remains
to be seen how much influence with the
administration is possessed by the jingoes
and the trust hunters.