The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1897-12-16
FUTURE OF HAWAII
IT'S FATE IN THE EVENT OF THE
REFLECTION OF ANNEXA-
TION.
VIEWS OF JOHN FOSTER.
PUZZLING PROBLEMS WILL CON-
FRONT CONGRESS UNDER SUCH
CIRCUMSTANCES.
EITHER JAPAN OR JOHN BULL.
In the Opinion of the Ex-Secretary
Autonomy for the Islands Is I'M
possible.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 15.-Ex-Secre-
tary of State John w. Foster, who,
while member of the Harrison cabi-
net, negotiated the first treaty annex
ing Hawaii to the United States and
who has since visited the islands and
taken much interest in their acquisi-
ton, when asked today as to the status
Of the annexation question, said:
The opponents in congress of Ha-
Waiian annexation will not have dis
posed of the question by voting against
and defeating this measure. They must
decide what shall be the policy and
conduct of the United States towards
the islands for the future. Having re-
fused the application of the island gov
eminent for Incorporation into our
Union, such an act necessarily carries
with it the right of the former to de-
termine its own political destiny, unin-
fluenced by considerations affecting the
United States.
But such a course would present
embarrassments to congress Of no
small moment During the last admin
istration of President Cleveland the
house of representatives declared that
foreign Intervention in the political af-
garded with indifference by the gov
eminent of the United States During
the same session the senate by a
unanimous vote, went a step further
and declared that any intervention in
the political affairs of these islands
by any government will be regarded
as an act unfriendly to the United
States These utterances were in line
60,
half a century, but it is possible and
competent for congress to change the
policy of the government at any time.
It's rejection of annexation would in
effect nullify the declarations cited,
but there would still be another seri-
Gus embarrassment to be disposed of,
to wit, the reciprocity treaty. 1t would
be easy to annul the commercial
clauses of that convention, and that
would be in harmony with the views
long cherished by many of our public
men, but the political clauses of that
treaty present a different question.
These are two in number:
TWO PROBLEMS
"First-A stipulation on the part of Ha-
wall not to lease, dispose of or create any
lien upon any port, harbor or other terri
"SecOnd-To grant to the United States
the exclusive right to Pearl harbor as a
coaling and naval station.
1.-The first of these political clauses
might terminate with the treaty, and
after the rejection of annexation it
would be inconsistent on our part to
insist upon it's maintenance. The sec
ond clause, however, is held by the
senators who ratified the treaty to be
a permanent grant. The denunciation
of the reciprocity treaty would still
leave us with the grant of Pearl har-
Dor. 1t is the only place suitable for
a naval station in those islands or
anywhere within a radius of two thou
sand miles. Whatever may be the SEN
timent 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 arrangement. And yet,
with the rejection of annexation we
must look forward to the certainty of
its eventual surrender, as our occupa-
ton would be impossible with the ISL
ands under the dominion of a powerfui
government
Even if rejected by the United States
1t will not be difficult for the present
Hawaiian government to successfully
sition. For many years before it was
established the administration of the
islands had been in the control of the
foreign residents the native rulers be-
ing mere puppets in their hands. The
property interests, which are almost
exclusively held by the white residents
and foreigners, will control the govern
ment so long as it maintains it's indie
pendence. But it is plain the islands
cannot long maintain their autonomy
The most threatening present danger
is from Japan. That country may be
perfectly sincere in it's declaration that
it does not seek the annexation of the
islands, but the current of events, if
not checked, will lead inevitably to
that result.
ENGLAND OR JAPAN.
1.-The operation of the existing immi-
grafton treaty as interpreted by ia
pan, will soon bring about the supre-
macy of the Japanese in the islands.