Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-08
An Englfsh-Japanes Alliance.

The Star on Thursday pointed out how
exceedingly strong an alliance between
England and Japan would be in the pres
ent controversy over China-England with
the most powerful of fleets. and Japan
with splendid land force next door to the
scene cable from Shanghai. printed to-
day, states that Japan has taken steps to
effect such an alliance. The story Is thai
"a Japanese fleet of three battleships, ten
frst-class cruisers and numerous smaller
vessels has received orders practically plac-
ing it at the disposal of Sir Alexander Bull
Ter, comnander-in-chief of the China sta
ton, this step being taken in case Russia
persists in ignoring the joint interests of
England and Japan )"
. If this should prove to be true it is news
of :he first Importance. The step will COM
mand the attention of all the parties in in
terest- Russia, with her many advantages,
will pause TO consider it, and even the
theatrical and aggressive German Emperor
Will sober up little under its influence.
But even if the story should prove to be
somewhat exaggerated, it tells no more
than what is entirely within the bounds of
Reasonable expectation. A rational alliance
in partition of China would be between
England and Japan If it is not effected
now. it will be whenever England and
Japan have full reason to believe that
China's doom is sealed.
Nor is this news of any more Importance
to Russia and Germany than to the United
States 1t affects most materially. 1t
should instruct Immediately and pro-
foundry 1t makes the Hawaiian question
acute beyond any previous stage of it. 1t
makes the duty Of the United States with
respect to the annexation of the Hawaiian
81 dc laf ho, Re
duty has always been plain enough. but
the man who cannot see it now must either
have very circumscribed vision, or have
To desire TO see his country advance with
the other powers of the world
There can be no contention on this point
The United States must either annex those
islands, or submit to seing them annexed
by some other power. Permanent indie
pendence for the islands is out of the ques-
ton An American protectorate for the
Islands is out of the question. They must
in a very short time become part of some
greater power They belong within the
legitimate range of the American influence.
Their best interests demand their incorpo-
ration into the American system. The gov
eminent of the islands. recognized by the
whole world. the leaders of thought in the
islands. the possessors of the wealth of the
Islands, the men of real responsibility
there. are unanimously and earnestly ap-
pealing to this government for the advan-
tages of American citizenship. The time is
at hand when this must either be granted
or refused If it is refused. then the Ha-
waiians will seek connections elsewhere.
England has kept hands off the islands
only because # American sentiment She
would long since have gobbied them up If
10 OF had haa
history has she ever in any other case
neglected to strike for so rich a prize
That she would accept them if offered to
her is certain That they will be offered
to her if the United States shall decline
them is very likely. Then, with England
and Japan in alliance as to the commercial
development of China, and England in pos
session of the Hawaiian Islands, the United
States, so far the coming drama on the
shores of the Pacific ocean is concerned,
would cut pathetic a figure as a poor
boy at a frolic- Uncle Sam is infinitely big
ger than that role, and he ought not TO be
cast for ii.