The Kinsley graphic. [volume] (Kinsley, Kan.) 1890-1940, 1898-05-27
HAWAII.


gresham Dockery said this evening
to the Times correspondent:
The joint resolution TO annex Hawaii
may pass the house at this session,
but a final vote in the Senate is likely
to be deferred until the next session.
The existing war raising the question
of the proprieiy of inaugurating a CO.
lonial system that may eventually RI
val England. The irresistible march
of events during the last sixty days
forces this issue upon the attention of
the American people. 1t is hardly ne
cessary to say that it is one of sur
passing Importance, involving a de-
parture from the traditional policy
which has heretofore controlled the ad-
ministration of foreign affairs.
Hawaii is but an incident of the sit
uation, invoking the soundest judg-
and the most patriotic and enlightened
consideration. The public mind seems
to be in q receptive condition and the
thought of the people is anxiously
seeking to discover the true policy.
1t is obvious to me that the consider
tion of the annexation of Hawaii
should not be urged until the United
States is ready to declare it's attitude
toward Porto Rico, Cnba and the
Philippine islands. The whole ques-
tion is properly one and indivisible.
IF tho phi1inpipoo oro IN booo,,o NON
.manently a part of our colonial sys-
tenn, manifestly Hawaii is indispens-
able and necessary. If, however,
after the payment of q suitable idem-
nifty by Spain the Philippines are to
be relinquished, this government on
ly retaining harbor as a naval
base of supplies, it would seem that
the harbor that we now own in Hawaii
with the right under the existing trea-
ty to purchase coaling station would
be ample to meet the demands of our
navy.
1t is true we energetically forward
the work of developing our war and
merchant navy; thus aiding in the re-
moval OF self-imposed restrictions up
on foreign trade which have hitherto
prevented us from dominating the seas
and controlling their vast commerce.
The existing war will hasten that aus
picious result, and it therefore be-
comes important to secure harbors
and coaling stations for our fleets in
many parts of the world.
The United States, however, can not
safely determine it's policy as to Ha-
waii, Cuba, Porto Rico and the Phil
ippines until after the cess alton of
hostilities with Spain. The termina-
tion of this conflict will devolve these
grave questi ons upon us for settle
ment. Obviously the permanent occu-
patton of the Philippines will raise an
issue of greater Importance than the
occupation of islands owned by Spain
on the western continent.
The war has already quickened new
ambitions, and awakened high re-
solves. Dewey's victorious guns in
the harbor of Manila have stimulated
an eager desire for the United States
TO become still more potential force
among the nations of the earth. II
becomes pertinent, therefore, to inquire
whether we shall adhere to the policy
which has made us hOmogen Gus,
aggressive, enterprising. powerful peo-
pie, seeking only to wear the crown of
commercial empire, or whether we
shall now enter upon the acquisiti on
of territory remote from our borders,
thus adding to our population people
wholly untitled by racial conditions
;or Identifying themselves with our
tree institutions. The war tenders
this mighty problem for solution; but
our people are easily adequate to the
task. We should, however, examine
The issue from every standpoint, care
fully weigh the advantages of colo
NAL system, and above al defer a con-
:lusion until the waves Of public opin-
.on now dashed into war fury shall
nave resumed their normal level.
The war makes the Nicaragua ca
nal certainty. The long journey of
the Oregon furnishes An unanswerable
argument in its favor. The Pacific
railroads were necessary to bind to-
gether the different sections of the
country. The Nicaragua canal be-