The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-11-12
BACKWARDS AND FORWARDS.

by American institutions, think that
such condition would remain if the
handspring of American influence was
to be removed. At the present time
American interests both in agricul-
ture, in commerce and in politics, pre-
vail This condition of affairs is the
logical outcome of series of events,
the preliminary steps for which came
from far seeing statesmen of the
United States in the past, and espe-
cially from the Reciprocity Treaty,
which was distinctly granted to the
Islands with the object of increasing
American interests on the Islands
and drawing the lines so close polite
ally that Annexation would come as
a natural sequence. But one can la
Dor for an object lay plans for it,
carry it almost to fulfillment, and
then lose it either through careless
ness or mismanagement.
That Hawaii might be occupied by
some foreign power in the future is as
certain as that she has been in the
past. The interests of the nations in
the Pacific are growing in all direc-
tons. Wherever we may look we see
the trade expansion, and wherever
there is trade expansion the desire
for strong local position comes upon
the commercial power extending it
trade.
Now if we look at the past eighty
five years of Hawaiian history, and
eighty-five years is but very short
historical period, we will see that Ha-
waii has been actually occupied once
by Russia, once by England, twice by
France. 1t is true that these occupa-
tons occurred in the early part of the
period. and people think that such
things cannot happen again. So did
the people of Paris think that great
city would never again have a foreign
foe at her gates. and yet in 1870 the
German shells were bursting in her
squares and streets and eventually a
conquering army marched in.
1t was only a short time ago that
owing to misunderstanding upon
the question of immigration the ia
panese government was ready to take
possession of Honolulu at least, and
enforce its demands at the mouth of
quick firing guns. Fortunately the
United States backed the Hawaiian
government by force, not from any
sentimental reason, but in order TO
maintain its Influence. But suppose,
for an instant, that the United
States government instead of being
wideawake to the eXigencies of the
matter. should have been dilatory or
careless. where would the influence Of
the United States upon Hawaii be
now?
Japan has retired from her posi-
duplicty, has ordered her diplomatic
agent here to propose in honeyed
phrases and in politeness to the Ha-
waiian officials. and one of her lead
ing statesmen will most probably re-
tire from office over the affair, but
because of honeyed diplomatic phras-
es, there is no surety that Japan's
ideas of expansion in this direction
are given up.
Another omnous cloud is Russia.
For years she has had no definite pol
lev in the Pacific, but one has only
to look back into history to see what
was the policy of the Cars lieuten-
ants at the end of the last century
and the beginning of this. One has only
to ride to Waimea and see the ruins
of the Russian fort there to realize the
possibility of a modern structure OF
similar character.
If ever the control of the govern
ment here passed away from those
who are favorable to the United
States, this place would become the
hot bed of intrigues. Each national
ity would strive to get the upper
hand. and there is no earthly reason
why the eventual sovereignty should
not pass into the hands of any of the
countries cited in this article.
For the United States now is the
golden opportunity. This is a coveted
spot, a vital spot to the commercial
and political interests of the Grea
Republic. For those living here it il
the golden opportunity of becoming
assured of political rights and priv
leges which people of many nationali
ties leave their own countries to enjoy
TO the Hawaiian Islanders and thu
United States the advantages of an
nexation are reciprocal. To the res
of the world they may prove unpalate
able, and in some cases inimical.