Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-12-11

10 &dLueT tQSIt Lu0re 10 SOIfc A1eSAO W
position to annexation among the in
habitants. But the admissions to this
effect have always been accompanied
by disparagement Of the opponents OF
the scheme of rapine and assurances
that they are people not worth con-
sidering and that their opposition is
Of half-hearted sort or prompted by
personal interest in the fortunes of the
petty Hawaiian monarchy
1t was given out during the latter
part of the summer that the opponents
of annexation were to make great
demonstration while the Congress
sional visitors were in the islands.
But from the silence which has since
been preserved on the subject we may
infer that the demonstration was not
made and we may guess the reason
why.
1t is now necessary to admit that
the opponents Of the Dole government
have sent deputation to Washington
to protest against annexation, but the
admission is accompanied by the state
ment that the deputation represents
nothing but the corrupt crowd that
subsisted upon the favors OF petty
royalty and is actuated by no better
motive than a longing for the flesh
pots of the monarchy. The attempt
to fill the American mind with preJu-
dice against these people is deliberate
and cold-blooded and is quite in keep
ing with what seems to be the pre-
determined purpose OF the annexation
lists to consummate the grab without
giving the other side hearing.
We have to infer the real state OF
opinion and feeling among the inhab-
itants from certain facts which, for
tunately, are notorious and undisput-
ed. There is no danger of mistake IN
drawing an inference from the fact
that the Dole government does not per-
nit more than 5000 persons in a popu-
lation of 1000 to vote and has never
ventured to submit the question OF an
nexation even to it's own select crowd
of voters. Nor is there danger of
mistake in drawing an inference from
the fact that the Dole congress was
specially convened to go through the
form of ratifying the so-called treaty
of annexation when the question Of an
nexation was involved in pending
election.
With these notorious facts before us
we can easily understand why such
jingoes as Senator Morgan do not ven
ture to claim that the inhabitants OF
Hawaii have declared for annexation.
Cannon and Berry do not return from
Hawaii very enthusiastic advocates OF
annexation.
Neither of these gentlemen profess
to care much what the Hawaiians pre-
fer. But from what they say it is easy
to see that they are pretty thoroughly
convinced that annexation is not popu-
lar among the masses.
Mr.. Berry is enthusiastic over the
beauty and fertility of the islands, Yet
he says that if the people could be "se-
cure in their right of self-government
as now enjoyed under the Dole govern
ment, 1 would be in favor of a policy
of non-intervention by the United
States, but the danger is that if we do
not act some other country will"
Mr. Cannon also thinks highly Of
Hawaiian resources, but he expresses
the opinion nevertheless that if the
inhabitants could be removed the best
thing that could happen would be that
''tne whole thing should be sunk" See
ing that this heroic policy is hardly
practicable unless Kilauea can be pre-
vailed upon to erupt sufficiently to do
the sinking, Mr.. Cannon, like Mr.. Berry,
is inclined to grab the islands because
if we do not somebody else will
II we can find no better excuse than
this for the proposed act Of land rapine
we may better wait until we know that
the people wish to be annexed. And
then will arise the question whether we
want this half savage and leprous horde
OF South Sea Islanders suddenly trans
formed into American citizens. We
have been exercising quasiprotector-
ate over the islands for many years.
This has been found sufficient to keep
them from falling into the hands of any
other country. There is no obvious
reason why it should not be equally
effective hereafter There is no need
OF assuming any greater responsibility
in that quarter
AS TO THE CIVU. SERVICE LAW