The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-01-16
GEN. sOaor11nD ron 1NrrrArror.
Ne says net e Accept hawaii view wsuia Ne
= Biupdsr vgerue Thnn y Crirne.

CNHSe b9Ab tNAr
WARRINGTON, Jan. l5.-Gcn. John M. Soho
held, replying to Senator MorRan's inquiry rs
to tho statements that have been made regard
Ing the Generals opposition to tho annexation Of
the Hawaiian Islands, has written a letter to
the Senator under date of jacksonville, Fla,
Jan. IL. in which he says:
From the time, twenty-five years ago, when
1 made a personal examination for the purpose
OF asce tanning tho value Of those islands to this
country for military and naval purposes, / have
always regarded ultimate annexation Of the
Islands to this country as q public necessity.
But the time when this should be accomplished
had to depend on natural political development.
In tho meantime our national interests should
DO secured by the exclusive right to occupy,
improve, and fortify Pearl River Harbor 80 as
TO insure our possession OF that harbor in time
Of war. The value of such a place Of refuge
ana OF supplies for our merchant marine and
our cruisers In time of war can hardly be ovor-
estimated. Yet the greatest value to us Of that
wonderful harbor consists In the fact that its
position and adequate defence by us prevents
the possibility of an enemy using 1t against us.
So far as 1 know. the leading statesmen, no less
than the military and naval authorities Of this
country, have always been in accord on this
subject.
while 1t has not been proposed to interfere
with the continued occupation by foreign ma
tions Of their military stronEholds In this hemi.
sphere, 1t has been publicly and emphatically
declared that none OF those strongholds should
ever be allowed TO pass into the possession Of
any other nation whose interests might be an
tagonistic to ours. Now, for the first time the
occasion has arisen to carry into effect our long
declared national policy.
"A little State like Hawaii cannot stand alone
among the great nations, all of whom coyet
her Incompatible harbor. She must have the
protection OF this country or of some other
great nation. But a protectorate without SOW
ereignty Is the last thing this country could af-
ford to assume.
in the absence of authority to regulate and
other countries controversies must arise which
would lead to war or to the loss Of our valuable
military possession in the islands. No half.
way measure will suffice. We must accept the
islands and hold and govern them. or else let
some other great nation do 1t. To fall now to
carry into OBJECT our own great national policy
upon the rfst occasion offered to us would. in
my judgment, be one Of those plumbers which
arc worse than crimes.
ITO my mind, what may be regarded perhaps
as the sentimental aspect Of the question is en-
titled to consideration. A colony of intelli-
gent, virtuous, and patriotic Americans have
rescued o country from barbarism and raised 1t
to o high state Of civilization and prosperity,
until in the natural course of events the Gov
ernnent of that country has fallen entirely into
their hands. They now ask the privilege Of
Of returning with their new possessions to the
parental fold. Can they be turned away to seek
y homo among strangersf Not without violat..
ing one Of the most sacred laws of nature and
mourning the penalty which must, sooner or
later, necessarily follow"