The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1898-02-14
TIMELY SUGGESTIONS.
Sound Remarks of Mr.. Davies Oh
The Future of Hawaii


the Hawaiian Legislature is expected
to assemble, aud before its proroga-
ton, annexation to the United
States may have transferred to other
shoulders the responsibility for the
government OF this group Of islands.
Many persons are apparently con
fident that the negotiations now
going on at Washington cannot fail,
but there are others who believe
that the possibility of failure is at
least sufficient to make it the duty
OF prudent men-whatevert their po-
litics-to consider the alternative
which may have to be adopted il we
do not secure annexation.
1t has been suggested by some,
that in event OF an adverse decision
on the part OF the United States,
the sovereignty Of the islands should
be at once offered to Great Britain
or to some other European power.
1t is my firm belief that no such
offer would be accepted, for no Eu-
ropean power would be likely to risk
complications with the United
States Government for the sake Of
any advantage which the possession
OF these islands could give them.
However this may be, our clear
duty is to ascertain how we can best
govern ourselves, in the event OF
finding no other power willing to
undertake that privilege. 1t is not
desirable, nor indeed possible at pre-
sent, to discuss tho details OF any
scheme, but it seems to me very i'm.
portant that the general outlines
should be thought out without de-
lay, by those upon whom the res
possibility OF the decision may rest
that is, by every intelligent citi-
zen Of Hawaii.
The essential conditions of any
stable scheme appear to me to bot
/. That the Washington verdict
be accepted as decisive, so that we
may join hands aud work Loyalty to-
gether for the common good.
2. That we adopt such basis OF
national existence rs shall enable US
to present to all other nations the
assurance that We value our indie
pendence as highly as we value their
support.
8. That we seek to continue the
special relations with the United
States which have given Hawaii so
many commercial advantages, in re.
turn for the commercial and poll
tical advantages which the United
States has enjoyed.
4. That we endeavor to secure
from the chief powers an assurance
OF moral support in any legislation
that may be necessary to regulate
the influx OF Asiatic immigration.
5. That we amend the Constitu-
tion-by constitutional means-so
as to remove from the minds of Ha-
waiians and OF foreigners all ground
for fear that the interests or legiti-
mate Influence of either will be put
in danger.
There is no advantage now in re-
verting to past history, in order to
impute responsibility to one or
another for the position in which
we now fnd ourselves. The Gov
ernment, as it now stands, may or
may not have many defects, but it is
the universally recognized Govern.
ment of Hawaii. Our business is
not now to call in question it's
origin, but to remedy defects, and
to strengthen it's foundation.
II on the one hand the foreigners
resolve-that the interests and the
sentiments and the dignity of the
Hawaiians shall have full consider
alton and fair play, believe that ON
the other hand the Hawaiians would
accept the Republic, 10 which the
interests, intelligence, and power Of
the foreigner should have full re-
cognition. i have no authority to
express any opinions except my own,