The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1897-12-18
MAY LOSE OUR CHANCE.
Ex-Secretary Foster on the An.
nexation of Hawaii.
The Defeat of the Treaty will Not Dispose
of the Question-Diniculties In the
Wsy-Japan's Professionalism Fall
into the Hands of Great Britain.

'A@A%
net, negotiated the first treaty annex
ing Hawaii to the United States, and
has since visited the islands and taken
much interest in their acquisition,
annexation question, said: The
opponents in congress of Hawaiian an
nexation will not have disposed of the
question by voting against and defeat
ing this measure. They must decide
what shall be the policy and conduct of
II eUnitedStates towards the islands for
the future. Having refused the APP
plication of the island government for
incorporation into our Union, such an
act necessarily carries with it the
right of the former to determine its
own political destiny uninluenced Oy
considerations affecting the United
States.
But such a course will 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 af-
fairs of the island 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
government will be regarded as an act
unfriendly to the United States
These utterauces were in line with the
policy of u government for half a
century, but it is possible and com
petent for congress to change the pol
icy of the government at any time. Its
rejection of annexation would, in part,
nullify the declarations cited, but
rassment 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 cher
ished by many of our public men, but
the political clauses of that treaty
present a different question.
They are two in number:
'First-A stipulation on the part of
lldN VI W ~ lCdoC, olSpOoC VI VI Cru
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
River harbor as a c~oaling aud naval
station. The first of these political
clauses may terminate with the treaty,
and after the rejection of annexation
it would be inconsistent on our part
to insist upon its maintenance.
The second clause, however, is
held by the senators who rati-
fed the treaty to be a permanent
grant. The denunciation of the reci-
procity treaty would still leave US with
the grant of Pearl harbor. 1t is the
only place suitable for a naval station
in those islands, or anywhere within a
radius of 1000 miles Whatever may
be the sentiment of the American
people as to annexation, L doubt
whether any considerable 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 arrange
ment. And, yet, with the rejection of
annexation we must look forward to
the certainty of its eventual surrender,
rs u occupation would be impossible
with the islands under the dominion Of
apowerful government.
Even if rejected by the United
States it will not be difficult for the
present Hawaiian government to sue
cessfully maintain itself against local
opposition. For many years before it
was established the administration Of
the islands had to be in the control of
the foreign residents, the native rulers
being mere puppets in their hands.
The property interests, which are al
most exclusively held by the white
residents and foreigners, will control
the government so long as it main
tains its independence. But it is
plain the islands cannot long
maintain their autonomy. The most
threatening present danger is from ia
pan. 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 not
checked, lead to hat result.
But | do not think the islands will
pass under the dominion of Japan. If
the people of American origin now in
control of the government are rejected
by congress, they will, in my opinion,
turn to their kinsmen. the English
and Canadians. They have learned
from the colonial history of Great
Britain that wherever the British flag
goes there follow equal taxation,
Just end impartial administra-
ton of the laws, and honest
and orderly government. While
l have no information as to the pur-
poses of the present Hawaiian rulers, l
fee! sure that when it is finally deter
mined that they are not to be annexed
to the United States they will lose no
time in opening negotiations with
Great Britain. and the result of these
negotiations will be neither slow nor
uncertain"
RrDrn