The Portland daily press., 1897-09-10
HAWAIIAN ANNEXATION.

The advocates of annexation at Hawaii
are very much stirred up because the ma
tives are preparing for grand mass
meeting when Senators Quay and Nor
gan arrive there in opposition to the an
nexation scheme. Claus Spreckles, it is
alleged, is behind the movement, and
his motive for opposing annexation is the
purely sordid one that he can make more
money without it than with it. From
coming demonstration is calamity, be-
cause anything is calamity to them
which may tend to open the eyes of
American legislators and the American
people to the fact that there is another
side to the annexation scheme. But peo-
pie who want this question decided upon
the basis of what will be best for this
country will be likely to look upon the
proposed demonstration as good tn ing,
nor will the fact that Claus Spreckles is
to figure in it detract much in their opin-
ion from its value, for his motives, sor-
did though they may be, are
probably not more SO than the motives of
many Of the annexation boomers. The
demonstration will show the feeling OF
considerable per cent. of the residents OF
Hawaii toward annexation, and the exist
ence and extent of this feeling ought to
be known to enable our Congress to legis
late intelligently and wisely upon the
subject.
After we annex these islands we have
got to govern them, and we ought to
have some idea of the problems that will
then confront us to enable us to make up
for us to undertake the job. Certainly if
a large mass of the population is opposed
to annexation the difficulty of handling
the islands will be much greater than If
the people are overwhelmingly in favor
Of union with this country, and hence
rial fact to be considered when the treaty
comes before the Senate for ratification.
1t may be that the demonstration will
be of the ''Vorked up' order, not entitled
to much respect as an indicator of theipeo-
ple's real feelings, but SO acute and ex-
DSIl0aC0o S6llblOlACA CCl1duOlo &sAOi SehA
and Quay will be likely to detect any in
sincerity in it and estimate it at its true
value. The original intention of the
annexation boomers was undoubtedly to
rush the treaty through with little con-
sideration either on the part of the Senate
or the American people. 1t is altogether
fortunate that they did not succeed. The
question is one of far too much import
ance to be rushed through without full
investigation. The possession of Hawaii
means large Expenditures for its defence in
case of war, and, as Secretary Herbert
says in recent article IN the Forum,
large increase in our navy. 1t involves
also some very difficult problems of gov
not be easy to settle. There may be ad
vantages enough in the possession of these
islands to offset the difficulties and per-
plexities which they will bring to us.
The American people want all the facts
those that make against as well as for
annexation-beforet they decide the ques-
iton; and we are glad that they seem to
be in fair way to get them. Though
the motive for divulging them may not be
of the highest kind, they will be
none the less valuable. To the extent that
Claus Spreckles or anybody else puts us
in possession of the facts he will be
public benefactor, though his sole motive
may be to help himself.