The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1898-01-21

jority of both houses will be found In
favor of annexation. In fact there are
Some who think that annexation
ought to be brought about by action
of both houses rather than through a
treaty. There seems to be but little
question that public sentiment is
stronger today in favor Of annexation
than ever before. The recent develop
ments in the Orient have demon
strated to the minds of many the
great Importance of these islands to
the United States. They see as never
before that Hawaii is the key to the
whole situation Of the future OF the
Pacific ocean. In view Of the fact
that il China is not dismembered by
the powers of Europe, its coast is
bound to fall Into their hands in the
way of so-called leases. which will
virtually amount to the same thing as
though they were permanently coded.
it would be the height of folly for the
United States, with it's growing for
e1gn commerce which is bound to
greatly increase in that part of the
world through the future years to al
low these islands to fall into the hands
of any foreign nation, and that is
what would be the result if the
United States does not annex them.
1t is a somewhat curious fact that
the bulk of the opposition to annexa-
tion comes from that class, that are
the loudest in their protests against
what they call British dictation in
financial affairs in this country. The
whole opposition to annexation is in
spired and fostered by British infiu-
ence. England wants these islands,
and if the United States let's the pres
ent chance 60 by, she will step In and
take them at the first convenient op-
portunity. British trade cOvets
Hawaii because it would make con-
7enient station for it's commerce with
the far east. And what British trade
wants, British politics always advo-
Gates. But England is not the only
nation that would snap the islands
up without hesitation. Japan would
not allow the chance to let them pass
by. While Germany would not OBJ
ject to annexing them if the opportu-
nifty offered. Any of these nations
would not hesitate to Use any effort
possible to help along any sentiment
in this country that might be I'M
friendly to annexation.
The Chicago Inter Ocean in speak
ing of the duty of this country toward
Hawaii, well says that it sis the
plainest of propositions that every
motive that inspires foreign power
with desire for control of Hawaii
operates even more strongly upon
American prudence. If the Nicara-
guam canal be constructed it must be
by outlay of American money. 1t
would be the absurdest Of policies to
sink 800, 900, 900 in q ship canal that
in the time of war would be private
waterway of the Asiatic or European
power that was dominant in Hawaii.
The trade between the United States
and other American republics and
Asia cannot be left at the mercy of a
foreign and rival nation that n ay hold
the only safe harbor between the
coasts of the western and eastern
hemispheres.
1.-THE time has come in which we
must choose between purely home
market and a home market with
ample and profitable outlets for it's
vast and ever-increasing surplusage.
And it is plain that if we elect to con-
fine ourselves to home market we
shall abridge our home market Of its
present purchasing power. For a
large part of the men employed in
transportation service and in manu-
features convey or make things in
tended for export. Our production of
food increases yearly; our production
of manufactures must increase, or the
purchasing power of our home market
for farm products must decrease. We
cannot control or enlarge our foreign
trade If we give to our rivals control