The San Francisco call., 1898-02-09
BLAINE'S HAWAIIAN POLICY.

c much has been said about Blaines Hawaiian
 policy that it is well to see what it
 AD It has been distorted into naneless shapes to it into argument for annexation and that sentiment in the country which followed the Maine statesman to the close Of his career has been ap- peaed to for a supply of post-mortem enthusiasm in behalf of the pending treaty.
 MT. Blaine supported the independence of Hawaii and considered only emergency in which annex ation could be justified and that was inminence of seizure by foreign power No such crisis has ap- peared. Its appearance has been often simulated, frequently pretended and many times prophesied, when it had reality, present prospective The politicians of the Dole ogarchy their allies in this country have done their best nag Japan into hostile demonstration, but without success. In
 fine there has been evidence of the actual situation in which Blaine proposed step beyond maintenance of the independence of the islands.
 In 1881 England suspected of an intention to demand consular jurisdiction over British coolies from Hongkong. Blaine, then Secretary of State, instructed our Minister at Honolulu to this effect: "The Government of the United States has, with un- varying consistency manifested respect for the n- dependence of the Hawaiian kingdom and earn est desire for the welfare of its people. It has a- ways felt and acted on the conviction that the pos session of those islands by peaceful and prosperous power, with which there was no possibility of con troversy Collision was most desirable, in refer ence to its large and rapidly increasing interests in the Pacific. It has declined even the request of the Hawaiian people to assume over their affairs protectorate, which would be only thnly disguised domination, and 1t has confined its efforts and n- ffuence to strengthening their government and open ing to their commerce the readiest and most profit able connection with its own markets But this pol icy has been based upon our belief in the real and substantial independence of Hawaii. The Govern ment of the United States has always avowed and repeats that under circumstances will 1t per init the transfer of the territory sovereignty of those islands to any of the European powers. The United States was one of the first among the great nations to take an active interest in the upbuldng of Hawaiian independence and the creation of a new potential life for its people, It has consistently deavored, with success to enlarge the material pros perity of Hawaii independent basis
 He asserted over and over again that no departure from this policy could be justified by anything short of an attempt to acquire jurisdiction by any other power.
 Therefore, in the absence of such attempt, and none is in sight or likely to be made the Blaine policy of neutrality and independence must stand. try off to some other nation does not constitute such attempt It is nothing less than confession that the oligarchy longer rest upon the support of per cent of the people and that unless 1t its usurped and temporary authority to cede the islands to outside power the majority will install Q government in its place