The Guthrie daily leader. [volume] (Guthrie, Okla.) 1893-1996, 1897-07-30
FRIDAY. JULY 80, 1897.
FOREIGN VIEWS or HAWAIIAN Az.
NENATION.

States Is the little interest taken by
the American people in the project
when compared to the earnest and
widely extended discussion Of it
abroad We have not looked upon
the annexation scheme as a matter OF
very grave Importance, and have ex-
tended 70 IL but little more considera-
ZION than is usually bestowed upon one
Of our territories when IL becomes
state, but abroad it is regarded as the
Inauguration Of new American pol
icy which must be watched and feared
and guarded against.
A large number OF the continental
journals believe, or profess TO believe,
the beginning Of series OF territorial
acquisitions by the United States that
will in an important way affect the
European countries. They call this
departure 1.-THE colonial policy" and de
clare that it is very significant OF the
ultimate intention Of the United
States to aggrsndize It's territory and
power detrimental TO other countries
They refuse to believe that the annex
alton Of the Pacific islands will not be
in pursuance of deliberately formed
purpose to gain territory wherever
possible, and some Of them have ac-
tually argued themselves into n state
OF mind that could scarcely be more
affrighted IL the United States were
calling for volunteers to go abroad and
conquer territory.
One OF the most conservative speci.
mems Of foreign discussion may be
found in the semi-ofiicial Russian
organ, the St. Petersburg Novoye
Vremya. Russia has always been the
friend Of the United States and ad
verse criticism from such source
takes on all the more significance.
The projected annexation OF the
Hawaiian islands by the United
States" says this Russian journal,
must be considered a political event
OF grave Importance, on account OF the
consequences to which 1t may lead and
its influence on the future OF the new
world 1t constitutes the first decisive
step away from that program and
policy which the great western repub'
lie has heretofore SO undertaking fol
lowed since the very beginning OF its
existence. That nothing serious will
result from the protest can hardly
be doubted. Nor does II strike us
rs OF any particular consequences that
the impression produced on England
by the'suden departure from the anti
colonial policy Of the United States is
not marked. English possessions are
hardly threatened by the new policy.
In fact, we attach little importance to
the current talk about the alleged
danger to French and German colonial
interests, which the London journals
are disposed to magnify. The real
point is that annexation by the pecu
liar method OF q treaty may serve as 9
precedent tor the requirement OF Cubs
by exactly the same process.
The successor OF Mr.. Cleveland evi
IDENTIFY treats the colonial question in
manner different from that Of the
late administration. President Nc
Kinley will not think twice about ad
mitting Hawai-, and, the 6rst steT
having been taken, there is no reason
10 think the Americans will rest con
tented. 1t is very probable thai
should Spain fail TO suppress the rebel
lion in reasonable tune, the Cuban
insurgents will form provisional gov.
ernment and enter into annexation ne
gotiations with the United States
Spain is neither England nor France,
nor even Germany, and the United
States has no reason to fear much from
an armed conflict with her.
"To be sure, President Mckinley
talks, in his annexation message,
about a contamination Of long es-
tAblished policy, about carrying out
long cherished purpose, but why
could not the same augmentation b'
repeated in the case Of Cuba? Let the
belligerency OF the Cubans once b,
recognized by the United States, anS
will not, ipso faeto, the right be &C
corded to the insurgents to form
government for themselves and decide
their own political fate-deeide il
favor Of absorption by the Unite'
States"
And tLen this Russian journal, il
moderate, but unmistakAble, phrases
lays down the ultimatum that in even
of trouble between Spain aEd thl
United States all Europe must come 4
the aid OF spain. We quote In conelu
sion as follows. "All this is verl
grave, very much more serious than i
may appear at the drst blush. Tn
European governments that hAv
ground for resisting the increase o
merieas political power will hence
r'h have 10 be constantly on thei
Nd aud tc prepare themselves Il
ins 10 the aid Of Spain, which
~ ,ed With the loss Of her larges
w chest colony in the New World.
mirac