The Portland daily press., 1897-12-02

we are not likely to interfere with their
just punishment.
THE WAR SPIRIT VS.. HAWAIIAN AN
NEXATIoN.
If we intelligently administer our own
affairs, we shall have about all we can
DO, and that this appears to be President
Mcklnley's opinion is apparent from the
circumstances, that in no instance has 1T
proved true that he has betrayed dispo-
sition to NEEDLE in European affairs;
offered to extend the ''good offices" of the
United States, or otherwise acted in the
manner described by the freak newspa-
pers, that constantly are trying to stir up
trouble somewhere. Albany Journal.
There are abundant signs that the
sentiment expressed in the above para
graph is rapidly growing, not only among
the people, but among their representa-
tives in Congress. When it gets together
Congress. is likely to be in a soberer and
more rational mood than appeared pos
sible few months ago. Even in the Sem
ate, which has heretofore contained few
but fighting men, has Gained down some
what. OF course Morgan's voice is still
for war, but Senator Lodge, who used to
be for war too, in a recent statement of
the important matters that Congress
should give attention to, failed to men
tion either Cuba or Hawaii. The idea
seems to be fast dawning upon the great
majority that with navy which is mad.
equate to protect the sea coast, with
supply of ordnancesfar.. insufficien for the
defence of our great seaport towns and
cities, with a revenue still far short of
meeting our expenses in a time of pro-
found peace, with our industries just be-
ginning TO show signs of prosperity, the
wise policy is to keep peace with all the
world if it be possible to do so without
the sacrifice of any of our rights or the
loss of any of our self respect.
1t Is a pity that the abatement of the
war spirit has not been attended with an
abatement also of the spirit that wants to
annex the Sandwich Islands. There is
nothing for us in these islands that we
cannot get at far less cost than the an
nexation scheme involves. Our influence
there is already paramount, .and no ma
ton on earth has shown the least sign of
disputing it. We control the best harbor
there for a naval nation, and can I'M
doubleday control it as long as we wish.
If we want the sugar of this island we
can get the whole of it by renewing the
reciprocity treaty, which lately expired.
1t is difficult to see what we shall get by
annexation which we have not, or cam
not have without it. But with annexa-
ton will come crop of exceedingly per.
picking problems. II we are going to
make Hawaii part of our domain we have
got to take measures to defend Land ade-
quate means to that end will require a
great increase in our navy and large ex-
penditure for Notifications. Then if we
annex it we must govern it, and here
problems of a most perplexing kind are
| sure to arise. Universal suffrage is out
| of the question, for it is admitted by the
advocates of annexation even that the vast
majority off, the Inhabitants are not fitted
for the ballot. To say that we will treat
it as territory does not solve the
trouble, because in our present territories
universal suffrage is the rule. But it will
not be many years before admission to
statehood will be demanded, for the am
bilious American residents of those island
will not long be content to remain out In
the cold They will aspire to Senator
ships and seats in the House, as the
Americans in other territories have done.
and some day, when the political situa-
ton is close their demand will be listened
to- Then there is the labor problem.
The labor of the islands is now contract
labor. little different in reality from
| slave labor. That system cannot be con
sistently continued. Yet the business of
raising sugar and rice cannot profitably
be carried on without it.
All these problems and
many more, can be avoided by
the simple device of declaring to the
world that the United States proposes to
tolerate no foreign interference in the is
land, and letting the inhabitants attend
to their own affairs and govern them
selves in their own way. There need be
no fear but the wealth and intelligence of
the island will maintain control of the
government. They have done it
heretofore whatever the form of
government, whether monarchy or a
republic They will continue to do it
under all circumstances, so long as the
island is protected against foreign inva.
sion. OF course the claim is set up that
the island is liable to fall into the hands
of the ignorant elements of the popula-
ton if annexation is not accomplished,
but that, like the story that England was
thirsting for tho island and that Japan
was. sending soldiers there disguised as
laborers, is to be regarded as n mere bug
bear created for effect. upon the Ameri-
can Senate.
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