The Hawaiian gazette., 1897-10-19
FEAR DEFEAT OF CABLE SCHEME
Canada and Australia In.
terested in Hawaii.
Present Condition of Industrial
Problem Has Some
Difficulties.

Engineering, London, is studying
the Hawaiian annexation question,
and fears that the interests Of Great
Britain have not been properly dis
cussed. In a recent issue il has the
following article on the subject:
The proposal TO annex Hawaii to the
United States o. America has not re-
ceived the attention in this country
which i deserves When we compare
the amount OF discussion which has
taken place on the subject in the Jap
anese journals. and the action taken
by the japanese Government, we
might also come 70 the conclusion that
Japan was a more important factor in
the politics Of the Pacific Ocean than
Britain Probably il viii be said that
In this particular question the inter
ests Of Japan are greater than those
q Britain. but this viii be disputed
by those who have carefully examined
the subject When we remember that
the Sandwich Islands afford the only
available lauding-place in the North
Pacific for the all-Brirish cable across
The Atlantic via Canada and the Pa
Ci1c 10 The colonies. and are also the
only place OF call in mid-Pacific on
The highway Of trade and travel with
Australia. China. and the Far East;
should the Panama OF Nicaragua Canal
ever Re completed. these Islands would
be on the direct route TO Japan and
CANA. and would form the only avail
able c0zling and supply stations with
The Far East
With regard TO the British Pacific
cable. II viii become an impossibility
Il Hawaii is annexed to the United
States. as IL Is quite impossible TO
stretch a cable from Vancouver to any
island soCth OF the equator that may
De controlled by Britain without an in
teruediste resting-place, and the only
one provided by nature Is in some part
o. The Hawaiian Islands. Canada and
Australia have a deep interest in these
Islands. in fact, they occupy quite a
unique position. which has been, TO a
large extent. overlooked by British
statesmen. although those of America
seen 10 be wei aware Of it. There is
no wish on The part OF the japanese
70 annex the Islands or even TO obtain
any political control over them, but
they feel that they have interests which
must be safeguarded. Probably they
have magnifed their importance in or
der 10 insure that they may receive
due attention.
The threat OF establishing closer re
lzriuns with Great Britain. or of con-
Guiding reciprocity treaties with Can
ada and australia, probably influenced
The United States far more than the
JaT1nese DOGGY as the Executive must
- perfectly wei informed regarding
rLg scIual facts Of the case There
can be no doubt that the industrial DO
siUCn ID Hawaii al the present time is
e most difficult one. and some Of those
who write on the subject say that
there e no choice between annexation
10 che United States and industrial
death Some time ago the United
S-z-es sent special commissioner. TO
Investigate the conditions Of labor, and
his figures show that the natives are
rapidly disappearing. and their places
are being taken by Chinese and Jap
E1ese. Chinese I'll the positions of
s-o0ekeepers. clerks in the hotels. mill
men -ezmsters. etc. On the sugar
plantations The number and nationality
uf labor Is by the last report 1.615
Eswaiians. 226S Portuguese. 1913
japanese. 6.2Ss Chinese. and about rs
q Other uauioualities. total of q, $50.
The Hawaiians are the best workmen:
the Portuguese today are considered
TIE bone and sinew- Of the Islands.
as the most Industrious. quiet and
peaceahie. Chinese next. and the jap
znese last
The Commissioner does not seem TO
have formed q good opinion OF the
japanese. who, he thought, were am
hiICus 70 become the owners of the
plantations. he concludes his report
~ saTing--'Ic needs no words 10
pEu1 q mental picture Of what will
become Of these Islands when once
he japanese become the employers of
labor and mOneyed power. The plan
usrs would naturally dispose OF their
possessions and leave the field TO the
uldiSpu-ed influence OF the subjects
OF the Nikado. who would be monarchs
- al they surveyed. and instead of the
heritage Of the Islands going 10 the
American people they would go 10 the
japanese. forming a greater Japan.
Probably these opinions are one-sided,
and The fears expressed unfounded,
bur ne would Ike TO be assured that
a. -le aspects Of the Hawaiian prob
Zen have been considered by the Brit
ash Government