The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1897-01-18
LACK OF POLICY
Why Annexation May be Opposed
Abroad.
W. N. Armstrong GIVES REASONS
ASiatic LaborerS Instead
of White Farmers.
Annexation Will Not be Walkover.
1t May be Obtained by
Hard Work.

Honolulu on the Zealandia was Hon
w. n. Armstrong, at one time Attor-
ney General during the reign of Ka-
lakaua. Mr.. Armstrong is strongly an
nexation in sentiment, but by some is
charged with having pessimistic views
on the situation. However, this may
| be. his opportunities for gaining in
formation during his IA months visit
to the United States have been such
that any opinion expressed by him
should carry weight with it. He has
been among men whose interests are
closely allied to Hawaii, and who favor
union of the two Governments. By re-
siding in, what has recently developed,
the hot-bed of anti-anneXationists on
the Pacific he has had Opportu-
mites of learning the reasons for OBJ
iecting to the admission of the Islands
into the Union, and cheerfully point
out the road by which calamity may
be averted. Mr.. Armstrong was
found yesterday by representative oil
the Advertiser at the residence of JAS
B. Castle. where he is a guest, and in
an interview, lasting more than an
hour, he expressed himself freely on
the situation. There is little between
the-line reading necessary. He eX-
pressed his views in characteristic
Armstrongonian style, leaving little TO
the imagination.
Replying to the question: Have
YOU any information in the matter OF
anneXation?' Mr.. Armstrong said:
Il have none at present which has a de-
cidedly close connection with it, but no.
IT pin
time which have. or will have, relation
70 It. and require very close watching
by US. .
has been out Of the sight of the Ameri-
can people. They had enough 10 thlhk
about at home. While in apparent dam
ger they had no time to think about
foreign policy. The Cuban matter has
been forced on them. The experience OF
the last year has rather sobered them up.
You see this in the new immigration laws
which Congress is considering. The peo-
pie see that citizenship must have some
value TO make the state have some value.
THE relations of Cuba To the United
States may force the relations with Ha-
wall to the front. So far, Cuba helps us
here. besides keeping up the price oil
sugar at the cost of much blood and
misery to her people. The Cuban matter
is much nearer home TO the American
people than the Hawaiian. II involves
greater interests. 1t looks as If the NIT |
ed States must soon be forced TO adopt |
some definite policy regarding outlying |
islands. Ii is manifest destiny at close
quarters. But that people Will not run |
over here for advice.
Il believe most sincerely in the political |
value OF annexation, and ultimately IN its |
economic value; but L believe We are act |
ing negligently, almost crimnally so, in |
not doing our part of the work. TO Sc |
cure annexation will not he, / suspect, |
mere Waik-oVer, a skip and jump into |
the Federal bosom. 1t was the solemn |
duty of the stronger races here to Am
ericaniZe or Europeanize these Islands IN |
return for the Reciprocity Treaty. rms |
was not done by our importing nifty thou- |
sand aliens. until they are too many Tor |
US If we read closely between the lines |
OF the works of many of the best writer's |
in the United States, We see the question |
asked: Why have you not done your |
duty? II IS not pleasant 10 talk 1hont IT. |
but we can't escape from II. The United |
States asks US. Why nave YOU not pulil |
up an agricultural class fit for American |
citizenship? We reply; Look at the am |
cunt of stuff we are buying from YOU |
but not good now We are coming 70
close quarters in the discussion. ana |
lodging don't answer the question. Many |
good people here think that in playing |
the United States for annexation we can |
stack the cards. 1t is mere fooliShneSS 70 |
call men pessimists who don't believe |
YOU can win in such game.
All this means If carefully worked our, |
that the prosperity OF the Islands is in |
much greater danger without annexation |
than with IT,
There are special interests in the State |
of California which will oppose annex |
alton in the expectation Of finally secur- |
ing the abolition of the Reciprocity Urea |
tv. This includes the rapidly increasing |
sugar beet interest. which is new force |
in the field. 1t would like TO see our /
planters play into its hands by Joining |
in opposing annexation. 1t wishes to pre- |
vent any political union with the states, |
in order to prevent the distant compe-
titioo between cane and beet sugar 1t |
knows that the beet industry VIII be
heavy club for knocking down reciprocitE
some day. Behind Colonel SPrcckels Is
gradually rising large farming con |
stituenCy in California and Nebra ska.
soon to be followed I'm other States. and
behind that is the jealous labor vote, be
fore which Congress CrawlS on its belly. |
= Annexation Is Teeded before get IL 7
the shadow OF this great coming industry.
There is. perhaps. nothing 20 disCour-
age the hope OF annexation, unless Il Is
lhe tendency 10 shout for X without