The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-07-19
CITY OFFICIAL PAPER.
ANNEXATION or HAWAII.

ANNEXATION or HAWAII.
The Eastern press has passed that state
OF enthusiasm for the annexation Of IIa-
wall which made deliberate consideration
possible. ard IL now discussing the dis
advantages as well as the advantages of
the proposed policy This If wise course
10 take. but. making ali due allowance
for the troubles We may involve ourselves
IN. tina peculiar conditions are such that
II may be necessary for the United States
government to depart from that wise
course which has characterized II from
the beginning 1t may be conceded at
the outset that this country would derive
very little direct advantage fran posses
sion OF the islands that she does not
have now. The principal object of ac-
quiring the islands Is TO prevent any Other
power from stepping in first. There Is
even now lurking danger Of this. al
though the other powers have practically
aaseuted to the proposition that American
Interests predominant To such an extent
in the Hawaiian islands that no other
power could attempt 10 take possession
without its being regarded as an act Of
nnfr.endilness to this people. TIE st.
Louis Republican convention. II Ia true.
adopted n resolution that the Hawaiian
islands should be controlled by the United
States. and that no foreign power should
be permitted To interfere with them. II
has been accepted as merely carrying out
this declaration that the treaty is 10 be
adopted, bat, M a matter OF fact. the
islands are nos. and have been for some
years under our control. Not only IA
oGr present influence n the islands sus-
Gc.ent to afford all the benefits Of actual
possession. but there ara some disad
Naniages which are emphasized by East
srn papers. One OF them says the
Hawaiian treaty proposes that the ISL
anas shall come In a territory, but
shat there Is great danger that political
desperation. perhaps on the part Of the
enemies of the public credit and of flnan-
eiai honor would lead to the admission
81 Hawaii as IA state II adds; We
have enough rotten horoughs In the sen
ate now. and IL would be most unwise
other objections. and among the chief
Is that we must he prepared 10 en-
force our authority az all hazards.
The annexation Of Hawau would neca~si-
tate a large increase in cur navy without
ceppensailng advantages. but this ohjec-
ten should not he allowed to pass without
Question. of greater danger. IN our opia
the entering wedge of scheme cf
colonial aggrandizement foreign TO our
traditions and the best interests of our
people.
The Philadelphia ledger presents the
strongest argument against annexation
when it says that the principal reason
why the United States has maintained
such amicabIe relations with other na-
TORS Is because OF oar avoidance 81 for
esrn eRtEnsl, mepts. Because of this We
can do without u buydonsome standing
MY and an enorr,cus navy. and can
afford 70 ray liberal pensions to deserv-
iag veterans II We change this policy.
il says. and invi3e contentious with out
m3ers. We shall be compelled 20 expend
sasg sums for Notifications. fleets and
ARMED foFces. and eurtai oar aRproprSa-
tlous FOR internal Improvement.
our natioaal pride stands AZ the hack
.of she snove ment towards annexation. bat
at she Same time we do not believe that
the possession of Hawaii would entail ali
these expenses which the Ledger fears.
Tie corruption of politics would be Ear
more serious enemy - couabat. THE
Islands are a long Nay from the central
government. there Is \ large popula ton
euger 10 profit by exceptional advantages
ard who have bu!lt ur systems - Hale
muncpolscs. and there IS - vast popu}a-
tioa az low order. which viii uo1 as
simulate with ire Cagcaaia0s bat whl-A
becomes al Instrument q Re fo1re3 In TIE
Hands q INSCRIPTIONS politicians. Il
would have been better for the United
states X Great Britain cr Germany had
seissa the islands hundred ya4Ts a<o
as.d forever put oat car heads tse IDEA
- capturing ;heu. Il Is not neatly ga USE
fui 30 tss. nor would II h 50 nearly a part
ct thlA continent as jamaica or tn.
leyuadss. sat the Amerlcan - eple never
waste thought upon those islands The
pfesepce - BriJlsA garrison IN either
ooes aot caese us the beast concern. uor
woa'a Hawaii Il 81 belonged - that
soaatry- Tois ooutsneat sroC3s al The
scoae f7E enlargement the uatjoa caa wish
Sor. aad 5aeeo Is more hore - aa asslfai-
latoa - the natives c. Seash America
wggh the people e Nocth Aaaesiga taan
setweea he MenE} races ot the Hawaiian
is'aats ana sae vhsee msn- Tesfe Is far
inags reason vay some o. the cept1Al
American sepaba.s. ANA soms az those o.
tie SoutheFn h@it e fhe hes.ls sphere.
sao4la desire 10 &c brought uadss tie