Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1898-01-28
ALTERNATIVE TO ANNEXATION
We Must Take Hawaii or Leave 1t to
Some Other Nation.

But why, some are asking, is it neces-
sary to annex Hawaii outright to this
country? Why not leave it as it is, an
Independent nation, with which we
have favorable treaties, and in whose
harhors our commerce can have all de-
sired facilities without the grave re-
sponsiblities of actual ownership?
This country and Hawaii have been get
ting on together well for three quarters
of century; why disturb those rela-
tions? Why not leave things as they
are?
The answer supplies itself, promptly
and convincingly, says the New York
Tribune. We cannot leave things as
they are, because they will not stay as
they are. Even now they are not as
they have been. Five years ago the
old Hawaiian government broke down.
1t had become utterly corrupt, and col
lapsed through its own rottenness.
The islands were saved from savage
anarchy only by the prompt action of
handful of men, mostly of United
States origin, who organized provi-
sional government and appealed to the
United States for help in the form of
annexation. The help being denied,
they undertook the desperate task of
maintaining the government they had
founded, in the face of overwhelming
odds of foes both without and within.
Thus far they have managed to hold
their ground; but it is perfectly evil
dent they cannot do so permanently.
There must be a radical change in
affairs, and it must come soon. What
is that change to be?
Certainly there can be no restoration
of the old monarchy, with its corrup.
tion and oppression and its chopping-
machine, which her majesty was so
eager to apply to the necks of all who
differed from her views of policy.
Neither can the islands be given up to
the masses of the kanakas However
traceable these may be and however
well they may make progress toward
civilization under proper guidance, they
are manifestly unfit for self-govern-
ment. There can be no more ghastly
mockery than to inveigh against the
"half-breed" republics OF South and
Central America, and the negro repub-
lies OF another such in Cuba. and at the
same time to favor the creation. of the
kanaka republic in the Sandwich
islands. No. To keep these islands
fit for use as a port of call for Pacific
commerce, to say nothing of protecting
the capital already invested there and
developing the resources of one of the
most productive regions on the face OF
the globe, it is absolutely necessary
that some outside power should exercise
authority there.
Well, then, why should not the vari
Gus powers that are interested in Pacific
commerce, and, therefore, in the right
administration of Hawaiian affairs,
unite in exercising sufficient moral and
material influence upon the islands to
insure a just and stable government
and to keep them forever neutral, if
not Independent? Why, that would
mean exactly such an entangling alli-
ance as it is the traditional policy of
this country to avoid. We have already
specifically refused to make such an
arrangement with Great Britain and
France over these very islands, as we'll
as over Cuba. We were persuaded to
make such an arrangement with Great
Britain and Germany over Samoa, and
have got little from it but vexaton of
spirit. There can be no serious con-
sideration of repeating that experiment
in the case of Hawaii, where, instead
OF being in a triple league, we should
have to be in partnership of at least
five. Why, it would beas well to seek
entrance into the dreib und at onceand
have done with it.
Then, as a final resort, why not O..
tablish a protectorate over the islandsi
That would keep all otner nations from
interfering with them, and would give
the Hawaiian government the muraI
support of the United States. which
ought to insure its stability. Why
not tiy that? 1t is curious to hear such
proposition as this made by those
who doubt the constitutiOnality Ui an
nexing the islands II there is II,
warrant for annexation, there is Hs
suredly none, either in the constitution
: or elsewhere, for protectorate. Suul
IN arrangement would be absouleI.
: foreign to the spirit and practice .
= this government-always excepting Tia,
ease of Samoa. which may be taken a
, "horrible example" to warn II
: against its repetition. So far rs mrrcl.
moral protectorate or "sphere Of in
fluence" is concerned, that has heel
: exercised over Hawaii for the last n
years, and has now reached the end 0
I its usefulness. This country has bper
warning all others to keep their hand
= off tho islands, as they are desired Il
come under the urOpreturshlp of th