The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-02-19
THE KEY OF THE PACIFIC.

The Importance of these Islands to
the United States is shown in many
ways. The other day The Star came
across a pamphlet from the War De-
partment of the United States, Adiu-
tant Generals Office, Military Informa-
ton Division, which gives a very eX-
haustive military account of the
Islands. In looking it over one can
see that it was compiled with the
greatest care and that the minutest de-
tails were supplied as to the position
of harbors, the character of the land
ings, the likelihood of supplies at GER
tain points. In fact all the informa-
ton which military man requires,
and which the Intelligence Depart
ment of every country should acquire
about places which it may become con-
nected with. ..
There was certainly a great deal Of
labor bestowed upon the subject by
the officers that had the matter in
charge, and it is satisfactory to know
that the officers of the United States
army have their eyes upon Hawaii, as
carefully as those of the United States
navy have. The navy has always thor
oughly understood the stragetic i'm
portance of this group, but it has been
very difficult for the navy to impress
those who live a thousand miles
from the sea how important sea power
is to a nation.
One of the many arguments against
the occupation Of the Hawaiian
Islands by the United States is that in
case of war they would be a difficult
position to defend, and would require
too large force to take care of them.
Such a contention is practically b.
surd. Islands are held by Great Brit
ain, by France, by Holland. and they
all add strength TO the ornaments Of
their countries and not weakness. If
the great drama of the world is going
to be played out on the Pacific. and it
assuredly is, why not get the best seat
in the show? The Hawaiian Islands
are the best seat in the show and they
only await the country which is bold
enough to pluck them.
Twice in the history of the Islands
We're they dropped into the lap of
Great Britan-On February 25, 1894,
and again on February %, 1S43. 1t is
odd that the dates should be the same.
On the first occasion Great britain
simply let the matter drop. The prom
ises OF Vancouver We're never carried
out by his Government. At that time
the Pacific looked life time away
from the old world and who cared
about position in it. The schemes
of the French Republic and the in
trigues of German Princes were far
more interesting and vital
The second occasion was Lord
George Paulets' celebrated effort to OBJ
tain the Islands. They were then reg
ularly coded subject to the decision
of the British Government after the re-
ceipt of full information from both
parties" Every one knows the sequel
The Hawaiian Flag was hauled down
and the British Flag hoisted The oc-
cupation only lasted till November 20
of the same year, when Admiral
Thomas restored the Flag.
The Hawaiian Islands today are IA
very different prize from what they
were hundred or even fifty years ago.
The interests of the United States and
of Great Britain are very different now
from what they were anu more than all
the interests of Japan are very differ
ent from what they were in 1894 and
1913. The lruit that dropped into
Great Brita-n's lap twice and was
tossed aside, might drop again and re-
main. The pitcher goes to the well
many times, but it gets broken at last
These are matters for the United
States men of affairs to consider To
hold the position the United States
should do in the Pacific, they must
hold the key. This key, if lost, will
take a great deal of blood and iron to
forge again. 1t is wise to b, forehand-
ed, and to look well ahead. The United
States must play the great part, the
peace making part in the flu
ture of this ocean. Not only
in the interests Of the States
themselves, not only in the interests
of Anglo Saxon civilization, but in the
interests of humanity, the United
States should take the key and hold it.