, 1898-03-23

snlY 10 coIly it.. Nll0nld it fall through.
Which is not impossible, il cnn later be
brought in rs "Bil" and con then he pass
ed by one half Of The votes. Although
Mckinley at the time Of his Inauguration
Oath March 1897 may be said to have prao.
tically controlled the Senate, lie has lost no
little ground since that time, and there is a
large party, not only against Hawaii, but
more especially agai INST the principle which
the question represents.
In articles on the subject which appear, for
instance, in "Harper's Weekly both Of No
vember 9th and December 4th-before
and simultaneous with the Presidents mes.
sage-we find an energetic protest against
the whole principle Of annexation. ut
would" says this paper, "simply mean pro-
viding ourselves with a vulnerable point.
AS We stand at present. we are perfectly
invu lnerable. whilst it would be an easy
mat ter for any power TO attack Hawaii (even
now m naced by Japan.)'
On account then, Of this policy and for the
sake Of this island, we are TO be forced to
make a considerable addition to orr navy
1t has hitherto been our pride and bonst-
not that we had great armies aud fleets
but, that we did not need them. We can
have commercial advantages and coaling
stations without annexation and its appalling
coneequenCes.' $40 annex Hawaii" the
NllNt1 CNIillluNFy IL ~ NRN ~ u GNlOliiLdllOu
policy, and this is essentially at Variance
with the very fundamental traditions Of the
Republic. A fact which not the most
Jealous advocate for coaling stations can
deny. To seek for Strategic position lying
away from our continent, is TO seek war.
COaling stations can Just as we'll be hired as
bought, and it is certainly not our duty to shed
upon fal away islnnds the blessings of that
peculiar code Of ethics by which our Senate
and the political wire pullers of New York
mud Philadelphia are so distinguished.
Those who are anxious for the annexation
Low Of Hawaii, and later on Of Cuba Here
2gaiunpt the slightest mention Of the Danish
West lndies) are also anxious to see lis mix
ed up in HE disputes Of Europe, and Of the
Wolld.'
The paper from which the above is quoted
is a singnlarly quiet and reliable one, for
America, and is much esteemed. When such
apnper writes in this spirit, there can be no
doubt that many in the States Are of the
same opinion. In other words the case is no
exception to others of the same nature. Those
whose voices are raised in support of a mea-
sure, oe heard, while little is heard from the
opp sition until the votes ure counted.
Loudest among the voices on the West
Indian question has been that Of Senator
Lodge. He is head Of tie so-called Commit
tee on Foreign Affairs in the Senate, md
from the very beginning Of the last campaign
he has been shouting, on the slightest provo.
cation, or even without any at al, "prGtered
tsnseo" which being interpreted means, u
think too that he United States should buy
the Danish West Indian islands, Now
there is this peculiarly about American
politics, that here often lies hidden behind
the words, an object quite different to what
the words themselves express. Thus when
Mckinley five OF six years ago aimed at being
made President, he Shouted for the prot, otion
tariff, which lie has the honour to have in.
vented. On the strength of this lie contest
ed the presidential Office in 1893, when he
was defeated by Grover Cleveland, who was
then elected fOr a second term. Bis defeat
at that time, however. was more probubl"
owing to a lack of confidence IN his policy on
the silver question, than because OF the proteo-
ton tariff, since events have proven that
America can stand q good dea! in that direc-
ton. In spite of its insane proteotionism
enIiohing only the favoured few, there seems
to have been no difficulty about swallowing
the Dinghy Tariff during Mckinley presiden-
oy, although it is the same dish i'll another
form. This, however, l shall Tot enter upon.
At any rate Mckinley made q name. and is
now President. Perhaps it is no injustice TO
Senator Lodge to suspect him Of wishing,
Gn.N 1~1 aH1@ ~ A1aVn 49,