The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-07-03
HAWAIIAN ANNEXATION,
Advantages OF the island as n Strategic
Point - A Registers Correspondents
Weak Points-"Iaron JONES' f" uarren

Point - ltegisAeFh correspondence
Weak points-''Iaron Jones' " Iarren
Argument.
To the Editor OF the Intelligence.
sIR:-selhshnes is u sin, but when
compared to "bumptlousness" It sinks
into insIgnifcance TINS aphorism is
suggested by n perusal of the screed of
u writer for the Register who under the
pseudonym of Baron Jones" attempts
to delude the public into the belief that
all the advocates OF annexation are lin
eal descendants of Mrs. Toodles, and
are seeking TO get the Hawaiian Is
lands simply because they are cheap.
Baron Jones" does not advance a
single cogent argument in opposition
to the contemplated treaty, in fact all
the objections urged by this gentleman
who assumes an aristocratlc tito are
feeble and barren" from first to last.
and have Il tendency to Impress the
reader with the Idea that he may be a
member OF the nobility down on his
luck, or secret ally OF some effete
monarchy that has an eye on these
"glittering gems in the Pacific" but
that he is a patriotic and progressive
American citizen is not indicated by the
character Of his arguments.
The Baron" contents himself by
scouting at the Idea OF there being any
strategic Importance attached to the
geographical position Of this group OF
ISLANDS lying less than 1000 miles of
our western coast, and practically CONF
mandlnE and dominating the great Pa
ciiic ocean from end TO end, and which,
no nF "A
so much facilitate the operations of Il
squadron Of war vessels in blockadlng
or reducing all our ports on tina: coast
from Alaska to Mexico He talks
about the loss Involved in the destruc,
tion Of Il single war vessel and de-
clares II would be worth more than all
the Islands In the Pacific. That may
or may not be true. but would the safe
~ Of single war ship compensate our
country for the capture by hostile
fleet of the single city OF San Francis
co? How many millions OF tribute
would be demanded to spare from de-
structlon that splendid centre OF COM
mercial activity lying nt the entrance
TO the Golden Gate? II England con-
slders It necessary 20 her safety and
the protection OF her vast commerce 10
retain possession OF Gibraltar and thus
command the Mediterranean sea, how
much more important II Is that the
United states, now rapidly becoming
her rival In the commerce OF the world,
should occupy these Islands lying off
our shores and convert them into veri-
table and imprcgnablc redoubts In mid
ocean for the conservation of our or-
entail trade In time OF peace. and for
the protection OF our harbors and cities
In time OF war.
Is It not idle TO suppose that great
and progressive nation that has al
ready In the brief space OF % or 30 years
under the hcnefcent system of a pro-
tectlye tariff. outstripped all COMPETE
tors In manufactures, and Is now ready
To engage In the struggle for CONNER
clal supremacy, can forever remain at
peace with all the wOrld2 The people
Of this country want peace always, and
they intend to strengthen themselves
In every possible and honorable way TO
make peace lasting and continuous, and
they realize that weakness invites at
tack, while strength fortifcs peace and
secures their future development unmo-
Tested by the ambitious rivalry of less
favored nations.
We have hourd good deal In tho
pagl few years about the great ndynn-
tdgps TO accrue 10 ~ by having access
Ia the markets Of tho world" but II
mist be apparent 10 the most casual
student that II We are going TO enter
Into competition with other maritime
nations We must 20 some extent con-
trol The sens, or ut least be on n foot
ing Of equality with our commercial nd-
versnflaa Therefore We need TO en-
COurngr our merchant marine ANA nB
opportunity arises gradually Increase
our naval strength. and commit our
Aelvea 10 d courageous and purpORrful
policy ~ national expansion. no that our
nag may ny unchnllrnged on Uy-
cry sen, ana 10 this end we should omit
no effort nor complain NJ any sacrifice
that VIII place our country nfH IN pow
or and Influence among tho nations NJ
the earth. The annexation NJ Hawaii
~ step In that direction II win give
~ absolute control " the pncnc ocean,
Win enable ua IN the event ~ war 10 de-
fond our important coast cities. and viii
when under wise laws 10 be onnctod for
tho future government of tho Islands
elevate the nntlvo population. and In
another ronfntlon make them rcfpecih.
bic nnd useful citlsCnH NJ thb distant
territory " Uncle Sans Nhnt our
government has done for live millions III
slaves within our bDrdutH. and what N
has done IN The wny NJ Clvllzlng the
aayngcH that go long conioHted The on
ward march NJ proRrcta on our western
frnnilcfh n win do for the Ignorant aud
oppressed NJ those Islands IN the pch
Thrfu are hundreds NJ good reasons
why no backward ntop Hh1uld now be
taken, Ia Dnumornio which would 10.
azure whole columns Of The intolllHon.
cor, ana II "baton Jones' noodu onllRht-