Omaha daily bee., 1897-06-22
sEcBErlRr SHERMANs POSITION.

SECRETARY SHERMANS POSITION.
Secretary Sherman has been placed in
rather awkward position by his action
favorable to Hawaiian annexation, in
view of his past record and utteranCcs
in regard to territorial acquisition by
the United States. While in congress
Mr.. sherman was an earnest and stead
fast opponent of all schemes of terri
torial acquisition, Hawaiian annexation
included. and in his book published
only about two years ago, he avows i'll
unmistakable terms his opposition to
territorial ACKNOWLEDGEMENT, giving cogent
reasons for this position This well
known attitude of Mr.. sherman was ac-
ceptcd by those opposed to the anneNa-
ton of the Hawaiian islands as an as
surauce that his influence in the admin
iStratiOn would be eXcrted to defeat the
scheme and believing that his counsel
would have controlling weight With the
president in this matter the anti-anncNa-
tioniSts felt that there was no danger OF
the advocates and plottcrs of annexation
WllllllllS ONt lllt uhllllhlctit''iph " ''''''
cause. 1t was a very great surprise ana
deep disappointment, therefore, when
this confidence in Secretary sherman
was rudely shattered by the announce
ment that he had negotiated a treaty
for annexing Hawaii.
Mr.. Sherman has learned of this feel
ing and has attempted to justify his
change of position. Great Difference Is
due to the opinions and the Judgment
of this distinguished statesman. but
the reasons he offers for now favoring
| the acquisition of Hawaiian territory
are far from being convincing. lie
gives as the principal one the relation
between Japan and Hawaii, saying That
the treaty between the two countries
| is most favorable to Japan. What buSl-
ness is it of the United States if the
| Hawaiian government has made n
! treaty with Japan that particularly
| favorS the latter country? Hawaii is an
Independent republic and may do as it
pleases in establishing treaty relations
with other countries. If the Hawaiian
| government Is NlSENullSll'h WIN WIS
treaty there is undoubtedly Il way pro-
vidcd to abrogate it, but Secretary Sher-
man proposes that this shall be done by
anneXing Hawaii to the United States.
He is quoted as saying: '.The annex
alton treaty which | have signed be
tween the United States and the islands
abrogates this Japanese treaty and
makes it necessary for Japan to make
| further arrangements with us" If this
IS so we are inviting Il conflict with
Japan which we would find it extremely
difficult to justify and in which Japan
would probably have the sympathy of
the world Undoubtedly that country
will insist, and rightfully so, upon th2
recognition of her treaty rights. Are we
prepared to reject such Il demand at
the risk not only of war with Japan,
but also of losing the respect and con-
fidence of the world? Secretary Sher-
man says that present conditions arr
such that the annexation of the Ha-
| waiian islands must be regarded rs Il
necessity. Not only from Il diplomatic
of common sense and patriotism
Neither he nor the president, in theil
communications to congress, have
shown that there is any such necessity
nor can it be shown. The profcssed ap
prehension that if this country does no1
annex the islands Japan or some other
maritime country will is utterly base
less No European power has indicated
desire to possess these islands and il
is needless to say that Japan would no
attempt to take them against the will o1
the United States, because that country
knows perfectly well that such an at
tempt would be futile.
The truth is that the Hawaiian
islands are as secure now against for
eign aggression as they lave been a
any time during the last fifty years anC
they will continue to be so long as the
United States says that no foreign powel
shall interfere with those islands.
| With the pVprV-lDV citiypn. of Omo II.