Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-17

possession as strategic point in the
Lorthern Pacific from which her strong
and increasiI fleet would operate. The
japanese. government is now friendly but
that would be the manifest dictate of en-
ightene1 self-interest to a wise Japanese
statesman.
Annexation. and that alone. will secure
ly maintain American control in Hawaii
Resolutions of Congress declaring our
policy, or even protectorate, will not
secure it. The question of a protectoratc
has been successfully considered by Presi-
dents Pierce, Harrison and Mckinley in
1854, 1893 and 1887 and each time rejected
because protectorate imposes respon-
sibility without control. Annexation i'm
poses responsibility, but will give full
power of ownership and absolute control.
American Commercial Interests Pro-
NOTED.
1.-THE commercial interests of the United
States, according to the declarations of
our most eminent public men, would
be promoted and secured by the union
of the two countries. In those is
lands is an American colony numbering
over 5000 persons, who own practically
three-fourths Of all the property in the
country, and, under the fostering influence
of the reciprocity treaty, trade with the
United States has so increased that we now
consume almost all Hawaiian exports. The
people of the islands purchase from us
three-fourths of all their imports, and
American ships carry three-fourths of all
the foreign trade of the island. American
influence is ascendant in the government,
and the character of the American states
men there in power was forcibly described
by Mr.. Willis, our minister to Hawaii who
was sent there by Mr.. Cleveland in a spirit
of hostility to them, but who was a truth
full, honorable man, in these words. They
are acknowledged on all sides to be men of
the highest integrity and public spirit
Hawaiians of American origin are ener-
geuc. intelligent and patriotic, and are
holding that outpost of Americanism
against Asiauc invasion. If annexation be
rejected and foreign influence gets control
OF the Islands, our interests and commerce
will fall away. The American in Hawaii
looks to the United States to make pur-
chases and there he desires to send what
he exports. The japanese merchant very
naturally buys al! he can in Japan and will
turn all trade there that is in his power.
Our trade with the Hawaiian Islands last
year amounted to S1S,3S5, 600 and with an
neXation practically the whole trade with
the Hawaiian Islands would come to the
United States, and would rapidly increase
we nave now the larger part of the
shipping business, 247 American ships be-
ing employed in carrying Hawaiian trade in
lSo6, which would be promoted and in
creased by annexation. Its past prosperity
mas depended upon the reciprocity treaty
and II that were abrogated by a party ad-
verse TO American interests gaining con-
interests, would fail off
Would End Foreign ComDIicntions.
In the struggling interests that have re-
Gently come into play in the Pacific the sep
arate existence Of the Hawaiian govern
merit is liable at any time to raise compli-
cations with foreign governments, as in the
case mentioned above OF the recent inter-
position of japan. An independent feeble
government is d constant temptation to
powerful nations, in the stress of contend
ing interests, to intecmeddle and disturb
the peace. Once incorporated into the ter
tory OF the United States, all this is done
away.
Character of the Population.
While the character of the compare
lively small population OF the Hawaiian
commonwealth is a minor consideration as
compared with the transc endent Importance
of the possession of that strategic point in
the Pacific, ii may be briefly considered 1t
Is a mixed population. -, 401 Japanese and
2l,ol1 Chinese, or together nearly one-half
OF the entire 10000 on the island; but after
the Asiatic element would be
reduced. The contract system would be
terminated, and United States restriction
laws as to immigration would be applied.
The Hawaiian penal code (paragraph 15TD
would gradually send back the Chinese
laborers. This annexation joint resolution
forbds further Chinese immigration and
under it those now in Hawaii cannot come
to other parts of the United States. Our
recent treaty with Japan, to go into effect
next year. enables the United States to reg
ulate the immigration of japanese laborers.
The supply being cut off, the number of
Asiatics remaining In Hawaii would be very
rapidly reduced by natural causes. which
are plainly shown by the movements of the
Asiatic population in past years; for since
1888, though the flood Of japanese coming
in has been strong, the departures each
hal he
rivals. Like the Chinese, when they have
accumulated a moderate competence the
craving for home takes them back. The
enormous excess of men coming shows on
its face thai they do not come to Hawaii to
establish homes. The Hawaiian laws ex-
clude them from homestead rights.
These constant and powerful causes OPP
Grating, if annexation were carried out the
Asiatic proportion of the population would
rapidly diminish There is a large element
of what are called Portuguese-15,1 91-but
OF these, who are a quiet, laboriouS popula-
ton, over 1000 have been born there, eiu-
Gated in the public schools, and speak Eng
lish as readily as the average American
child. They are useful orderly people,
and rapidly assimiate the American ideas
and institutions which now prevail in the
islands.
THE British element, $3.50 the German
432, and others Of European origin, prob
ably 1000, are elements with which we are
perfectly familiar in our own country,
which readily sympathize and blend with
our own people. They will naturally ad-
here and cooperate as against Asiatic in
fiuence. The native Hawaiian race is de-
creasing from year to year by some mys-
FERROUS law which has been in operation
for century. 1t is reasonable to suppose
that within ten years after annexation the
inconsiderable population of these islands
Will not differ widely in character from that
of many parts of the United States
Some effort has been made to show that
our beet sugar industry would be retarded
by the admission of Hawaii and the free
admission of it's sugar product. Raw Ha-
waiian sugar is now admitted free of duty
under the reciprocity treaty. There is so
little of it, altogether amounting to not one
tenth of our consumption, that 1t cannot
affect the general price Of sugar one-tenth
of cent a pound. There are but $4,000
acres of natural sugar cane lands in Ha-
wall, and they are all under cultivation,
unless it be possibly some that might be ir-
rigated by pumping water from $50 to 600
feet.
There would be one difference after an
nexation as to the restriction upon Hawaii
an sugar. At present, under the reciprocity
treaty, all unrefined Hawaiian sugar is adj
mitted free of duty, but not refined sugar.
After annexation both refined and unre-
fined would be admitted free, and sugar re-
filming interests in this country may object
to annexation.
1T has been objected that the Constitu-