The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-07-12

Islands will be annexed to the United
States just so long will Japan keep
on her side of the fence. She may
be spunky. but she is not looking for
trouble with Uncle Sam.
Few persons in the United States,
even newspaper readers, fully realize
the conditions which surround Hawaii.
or are familiar with the facts that
render the islands so important O.
factor in commerce. How many know
that Hawaii last year took all but
1918 Of her imports from the United
States. If, as is so often stated, it is
trade and commerce which shape our
international policy, it would seem a
reasonable prediction that the bust
ness element of the country is likely
to favor the annexation of the islands.
There are, however, as is well known,
two sides to every story. The OPPOSE
ton to annexation claims that our
famous Monroe doctrine did not con-
template anything in the way of going
outside the continent to obtain add
tional territory. When the land in
Guided in Alaska was purchased of the
Russian government, it was alleged we
were stretching a constitutional point.
1t is rightfully claimed by the anti
annexation element that the constitu-
ton says that the president of the
United States shall never go beyond
the limits of our possessions. If we
annex Hawaii, they say. there will be
a portion of the United States which
the very constitution will prevent the
president from visiting. He could not
visit Hawaii without going beyond the
three-mile ocean limit, and, therefore.
San Francisco would be as near as
ever he could get to the Hawaiian
islands.
Whatever may be argued pro and
con, however there are few facts
which all of us must consider in or
der to form an intelligent opinion. For
example, American shipping has earn
ed during the existence of the present
reciprocity treaty for freightS carried
to and from Hawaii, $14. 1S2, 900. In
what is termed the inter-island trade,
it has earned the further sum of ST.
go, 102. American commission mer-
chants have received as commissions
on the sale of the produce of the
islands, $4,464, 253. American shipyards
have built vessels for the Hawaiian
foreign and inter-island trade, the
profit on which has amounted to 1885,
91T. The total amount of premiums
collected by American insurance COM
panies on policies for life, property and
freights, amounts, to So, 847, 1876. Ameri-
cans have made profits from sugar
cane raised in the islands and the
sugar made therefrom, since the execu-
ton of the reciprocity treaty, amount
ing to $20,S61, 539
If the intelligent observer will take
the time to consider what this really
means to the sugar trust. he will sec
a point of tremendous Importance in
the matter of the annexation of
Hawaii which the majority of persons
are inclined to overlook What would
be the effect upon the internal revenue
and what would be the effect upon
the receipts from the taxation of sugar
If Hawaii became a part of the United
States. This is a very excellent prob
lem for the student of finance to con-
slider. There is much more in it than
appears at first glance.
No accurate figures are obtainable
as to the actual profits made by Amer
lean merchants on goods sold to
Hawaii. Estimating that profit at 10
per cent, it would foot up $6517 AL.
The reciprocity treaty under which this
pleasing state of affairs has come into
existence is, of course, very favorable
to the United States. 1t is the only
way of lodging what the diplomats
call "the most favored nation" clause,
a clause in International agreements
which is intended to prevent couu-
try fayoring commercially one treaty
nation more than another The chances
are, that if the United States did not
annex Hawaii, some other nation
would step in and be protector
Naturally. in such an event our re-
ciprocity treaty would be abrogateG,
and away would go our profits. 1t is
likely we would find some way to-
make up our loss, but the facts stated
are those which must be faced.
The figures given regarding profit to