The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-12-16

and defeating this measure. They must
decide what shall be the policy and con-
duct of the United States toward the is
lands for the future. Having refused
the application of the island govern
ment for incorporation into our Union,
such an act necessarily carries with it
the right of the former to determine
it's own political destiny, uninfiuenced
by considerations affecting the United
States.
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES. :.
But such a course would present en-
barrassments to congress of no small
moment During the last administra-
ton of President Cleveland, the house
of representatives resolved that for
eign intervention in the political affairs
of the islands will not be regarded
with indifference by the government of
the United States. During the same
session the senate, by unanimous
vote, went a step further and declared
that any Intervention in the political
affairs of these islands by any gov
eminent will be regarded as an act
unfriendly to the United States These
utterances were in line with the policy
of our government for half century,
but it is possible and competent for
congress to change the policy of the
government at any time. Its rejection
of annexation would, in effect, nullify
the declarations cited, but there would
still be another serious embarrassment
to be disposed of, to-wit, the reciproc-
ity treaty.
ut would be easy to annul the COM
merciaI clauses of that convention,
which would be in harmony with the
views long cherished by many of our
public men, but the political clauses
of that treaty present q different ques-
ton. They are two in number.
POLITICAL CLAUSES.
First, a stipulation on the part of
Hawaii not to lease, dispose of or ere.
ate any lien upon any port, harbor or
other territory to any other govern
ment, and, second, to grant to the
United States the exclusive right to
Pearl Harbor as a coaling and naval
station The first of these political
clauses might terminate with the
treaty, and after the rejection of an
nexation it would be inconsistent on our
part to insist upon its maintenance.
The second clause, however, is held by
/ the senators who ratified the treaty to
be a permanent grant The denunc1a-
ton of the reciprocity treaty would
still leave US with the grant of Pearl
Harbor 1t is the only place suitable
/ for naval station in those islands or
anywhere within a radius of 1000
miles. Whatever may be the senti-
ment of the American people as to
annexation, [ doubt whether any con-
/ siderable body of them would approve
. of the surrender of this very valuable
station for our growing navy and for
which we have paid so dear a price
/ in our reciprocity arrangements. And
+ yet with the rejection of annexation
we must look forward to the certainty
E H.,
patton would be impossible with the
/ islands under the domination of a
powerful government.
THREATENED = '.NGERS.
even if rejected b the United
, States, it will not be olidcult fer the
present Hawaiian government u sue
cessfully maintain itself against local
opposition. The property interests
which are almost exclusively held by
the white residents and foreigners, will
control the government so long as il
maintains it's independence; but it is
plain. that the islands cannot Ions
maintain their autonomy. The most
threatening present danger is from
Japan. That country may be perfectly
sincere in its declaration that it does
not seek the annexation of the islands
but the current of events, if moi
checked, will lead inevitably to thai
result
But I do not think the islands will
pass under the dominion of Japan. L
the people OF American origin now il
control of the government are rejected
by congress they will, in my opinion
turn to their kinsmen-the English anC
Canadians. They have learned from
the colonial history of Great Britain
that wherever the British flag goes
there follows equal taxation, just an(
impartial administration of the laws
and honest and orderly government
While l have no information as to thu
purposes of the present Hawaiian rul
ers [ feel sure that when it is final.
determined that they are not to b.
annexed to the United States, the,
will lose no time in opening negotia
lions with Great Britain, and the re
suit of these negotiations will be nei
Their slow nor uncertain.
SEWARD's FORESIGHT.
.'Mr. Seward, one of the most far
sighted of our statesmen, declared il
the senate q. quarter of a century age
The Pacific ocean, it's Shores it's is
lands and the vast regions beyond will
become the chief theatre of events il
the worlds history Possessed wit
this idea, he brought into our uniol
the vast outlying territory of Alaska
and sought the annexation of Hawai-
but the time was not then propitous
His prophecy is becoming a reality to
day in the wonderful development O
! the commerce of the Pacific. The OF
portunity which he sought in order t
give our country supremacy in thi
! vast trade will be thrown away an
: transferred to our greatest rival if w
reject annexation now