The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1898-04-18
The Hawiian Conspiracy.


amounting almost to parsimony, the
Senate is seriously considering the
advisability of annexing the Hawai-
ian Islands, on the theory, among
many other theories, that their pos
session would strengthen our system
Of military and naval defenses. The
estimates OF the department for
Notifications, armament, etc, for
the next fiscal year we're $l3, 37S,57l;
yet in spite of the fact that there is
at least in the mind of the jingoes,
settled conviction that we shall have
to spend large sums of money before
we can consider ourselves safe from
foreign attack, the appropriations
committee OF the House cut the de-
partment's estimate down to S4,144,-
9l2. These figures show how great
is the need for economy.
Now, it seems to us that before
Oho OOhabO III poCloJ booslOu IdIlHbS
the pending treaty, it ought to take
some pains to find out what the
plain people think about policy,
the adoption of which will necessari-
ly involve the Government in vast
expenditures and impose on them
burdensome taxes, and this at time
when we are not able to pay current
expenses, out of current revenues.
We are told that Hawaii is the "key"
to the Pacific, and that the nation
that controls it will control the
Pacific. Admitting that this is true,
it must be perfectly obvious that
Hawaii will be worthless to us un
less we fortify it. and build large
navy to defend it against attack.
Under such conditions, it might
serve 10 increase our power and in
huence in the Pacific. But why
should the people be thus taxed7
What sense is there in acquiring
territory which cannot even be de-
Tended, much less help us to defend
our Western coast, except at vast
outlay2 Would the result be any.
thing more than the acquisition of
territory for the sake OF defending
it?
We are the most peaceful people
on earth, and yet spent during the
calendar year 1897 more than $780,
100000 on our army and navy, to say
nothing of the $l45, 100000 that went
for pensions, How much more ex-
pense the ownership OF the Hawai-
ian Islands would. entail cannot be
conjectured. 1t is certain that they
would be the only vulnerable portion
OF our national domain. We shuold
have to act on the assumption that
they would be- attacked if we ever
got into war with a formidable
power They would be useless as a
"key" unless they were defended,
and they could only be defended at
great cost. And when they were de-
Tended they would not strengthen
us in any way at home. Can we, at
the present time, afford such a
luxury? 1t is true that we should
be prepared for all contingencies,
but when our present expenditure
suffices for present conditions, it is
the height of folly to create new
conditions which will demand added
expenditure. This phase Of the
case ought to be pressed on the
Senate with the greatest insistence'
No matter how much money we may
expend, Hawaii will, if annexed, al
ways be the weak place in our sys'
tenn; and unless we expend a great
deal of money, we shall not be able
even to hold the islands against an
enemy. So annexation means more
expense, high taxes, and in all pro
liability an increased deficit. Aud
we shall get absolutely nothing
therefor.
1t seems to be impossible for ever
the best informed to predict the fat'
of the treaty. The situation change
from day to day, or at least it APP
pears so different to different mel
that the effect is the same as though