The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1897-10-13
Hawaii, Independent and neutral.

a means of ge Ting commerce from
Asia.
There is no good reason behind
either. We Jared very we'll in two
foreign wars on the Atlantic with
out strategic point beyond our
own coast, The possession of the
West Indies did England no good
in the war OF 1912, and did us no
harm. What possible protection
can Hawaii be to the Pacific Coast.
We have harbors, docks and coaling
facilities from Puget Sound to San
Diego Bay. Why should we send
ships 20O0 miles to sea after coal to
defend San Francisco?
There is no coal on the islands.
This strategic argument, then, in
wolves the idea that to defend San
Francisco we must first ship coal
from here to Honolulu, 1000 miles,
and then we must send our warships
out there after it and then hring
them back within striking distance
to defend this ethyl Common sense
would say, supply the ships with
coal here, instead Of putting it in
in mid-ooean and making round
voyage Of 1000 miles after it. Ha-
wall in possession OF European
naval power would be valuable to it
but it is useless to us. The pos
sibility that the pious and freedom
loving Mr.. Dole may offer his prize
to Russia or England If we don't
help him lot go Of it is given as
reason why we should take the
stove that he finds too hot to hold.
Every intelligent American knows
that no Government on earth will
touch Hawaii if we declare it to be
the policy OF the United States that
the islands shall be independent
and neutral. Indeed, the other ma
tions would rather as matter of
mutual safety that the islands shall
DO neutral ground
This is evident from the course
of both England and France.
In 1912, England had NEEDLE
some representative at Honolulu,
who compelled a cession of the
islands to Great Britain and
hoisted the British flag. Immedi-
ately on learning of this Admiral
Thomas, in command OF the British
Pacific fleet, sailed for the islands
repudiated tho cession, hauled down
the British dag and with impressive
ceremonies restored that of Hawaii.
All this he did without waiting for
protest from the United States or
orders from his own Government,
and his action was sustained by
Great Britain.
In 1843, England and France
bound themselves by treaty to con-
slider Hawaii an independent neutral
state and never to take possession OF
assume a protectorate Of its soil
From that time until now the other
treaty powers have practically adj
mitted our right to veto upon any
transfer OF the sovereignty of the
islands.
In 1912, Mr.. Webster, Secretary OIL
State, said officially:
1.-THE United States have regarded
, the existing authorities in the
Sandwich Islands as a government
suited to the condition OF the PEG
pie and resting on their own choice
, and the President is of the opinion
that the interests Of the Commercial
: nations require that that govern
ment should not be interfered with
7 by foreign powers, The President
declares as the sense of the Govern
ment of the United States that The
, Government OF the Sandwich Islands
; ought to be respected"
President Tyler's message ON tn,
subject declared that the United
States are content with the indie
0 peAdence OF Hawaii and wish earn