The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1897-11-26
High-Pricsd Strategy This.

various reiteratious. Our Pacific
Coast is represented as defenseless
unless we have Hawaii, 1000 miles
away. Senator Perkins disposed of
this argument after the manner OF
its prior treatment in The Call, in
bis speech in Oakland last week.
He said that sending coal 1000 miles
across the water and then sending
our warships there to get it in order
to defend San Francisco was strategy
incomprehensible to the common
mind, and so it is.
He also disposed of the argument
that the islands stand right in the
path of commerce between this port
and Asia, by proving that the short
est path for ships to Japan and
China leaves Hawaii 1900 miles to
the southwark.
The pending annexation treaty
proposes that the United States
shall assume the 100000 debt of
the Dole oligarchy aud pay it. That
is a high price to pay for such
strategy as the Senator describes for
stepping-stone in the path Of
commerce that lies 1900 miles out
of that path.
1t is in the days news that Great
Britain is making a show OF her war
fleet at Esquimalt, to demonstrate
the anchorage and maneuvering
capacity in the shelter OF that
Gibraltar of the North. There she
is in touch with the mainland, with
coal at hand, with open water and
way to deep water even without
using the strait of San Juan de Fuca
for an exit. Her power is within
striking distance of the coast froa
San Diego to the passes of the
Aleutian Archipelago. She is within
steaming distance, out and back,
without reooaling, Of the real path
OF our Asiatic commerce.
The proper answer Of this coun-
try to Esquimal is San francisco,
an impregnable foothold on the
mainland, within easier striking dis
lance of the whole coast. The
100000 Of Dole's debts we under
take to pay should instead be spent
here to plant on the heights over
looking Golden Gate and the sea a
system OF offensive and defensive
works that can keep all fleets beyond
Smelling distance Of our shores and
protect always the exit OF our own
men-of-war to sweep the open water
clear of an enemy
To protect our position in Hawaii
will cost 100000 at least, added
to paying for Dole's dead horse,
and when the whole S8,000,000 is
taken from our people the coast, as
far as protection is concerned, will
be just where it is now
The shadow of Esquimalt will be
upon it all, and we will be shlvering
in it's shade.
1t may be said that there will be
no war with England. Let US hope
not, but Of our four great wars two
have been with her. 1t is neighbor.
ing nations that go to war. A war
that would at all disturb US must
be one in which we can be invaded
by land. The invasion would come
from Mexico or the Dominion of
Canada, and in either case an invad-
ing force would have the corpora
ton OF fleet. The Cloths were safe
in Carthage until Belisarius march
ed an army along the south shore
OF the Mediterranean Sea, with a
fleet keeping step with his legions.
With these tactics in action
against us what protection would we
get from Hawaii 1000 miles away?
1t is plainly the duty of the mem
bers of Congress from these coast
States to defeat annexation. Let
Dole keep his dead horse; indeed,
compel him to keep it by warning
him that. he is within the Monroe
hemisphere, aud will not be permit