St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1898-01-15

w.
SECRETARY WILSON.
("Annexation Does Not Touch Our Beet
Sugar Development
personal acquaintance OF the secretary
Tor many years, was soliciting an eX-
preston from him, when he spoke as
quoted above. He added:
Il gave a newspaper man an inter
view on beet sugar; and in the course
Of the interview endeavored to show
that the beet sugar industry OF this
country is growing industry, and even
Hawaiian annexation would not inter-
fere with the enterprise OF our farm
ers and manufacturers, who are trans
forming the sugar beet into as good
saccharine matter as the world has
ever known.
"The subject of Hawaiian annexa-
tion is a matter for discussion and de-
cision by our congress. The project
has many advocates and many oppo-
rents. The opponents of annexation
always ask the question: What would
be the effect of annexation upon the
growing beet sugar industry?'
81 do not see wherein the question OF
annexation touches our beet sugar de-
velopment. 1t is claimed that the Ha-
waiian islands produce 275,O00 tons of
sugar every year. That is an immense
crop. But this country last year con-
sumed 100000 tons of sugar. Thus
YOU see the Hawaiian islands could sup
ply this country with only about one
sixth of the sugar necessary for our
people. Furthermore, it must be re-
membered that soils devoted to crops of
one kind cannot last forever. The sugar
crop Of Hawaii will decrease from dec
ade to decade. 1t cannot increase.
The Hawaiian soil must be used for
other purposes, or it will be exhausted.
This being the case, can see no reason
for opposition TO Hawaiian annexation.
on the ground that her sugar crop
might affect the new sugar beet indus
try in this country.
"You will observe that | am simply
answering the objection of one class OF
the opponents of annexation; but am
not making an argument in favor of an
nexation. In the interview which has
been quoted, showing that am an ar
dent annexationist. ! made no other
reference to annexation than this"
When asked for his opinion Of the
beet sugar development in this country,
the secretary said: "It is the principa!
| source of future revenue to our people;
and also TO be the principal source of
common comfort. 1t is development
affecting the breakfast table; and that,
| Of course, affects our entire people.
from the baby with its bottle to the old
man with his cup of coffee, and the
elderly lady with her cup of tea"
This subject of Hawaiian annexation
will soon attract the attention of our
people. The senators and representa-
tives are all taking an active interest in
it; and the debates in the senate and
house of representatives will be very in
teresting. 1t is surprising to note the
divergence of views of men of affairs on
this subject of international interest
Representative men reflect the views oi
the people who send them to the con-
gress. They are obliged to do so If they
would retain their exalted positions.
Congressman Boutelle, of Maine
says: 81 am confident that the peo'
pie of this entire country, certainly a
large majority of them, are in favor
OF the annexation of the Hawaiian is
lands. Those beautiful islands OF the
Pacific ocean are coveted by European
nations, and they would long since have
passed under the control of Great Brit
ain, France, Germany or Russia, had
ii not been for the well-known fact that
the leading spirits of Hawaii desire and
seek union with this country. While
IL is true that we have Pearl harbor
and that is sufficient for a naval sta
ton, if the islands should pass into
the possession of some other country
We might have some difficulty in main
tanning our rights there. in the event
of some great international contin
lgency."
Senator Caffery, of Louisiana, who
represents the planters of sugar cane
and the corporate interests which
have grown up around the Louisiana
product, is bitterly opposed 10 an
nexation. He apprehends that Ha
waiian annexation would affect tn.
, principal product of his people. H.
says: "This country ought not to Vi
| blate its traditions. We ought not t,
begin grasping territory. If we an
, mex Hawaii, we must build navy t,
/ protect our rights, and it would re
auire many millions of dollars to buil'
and maintain a navy, always on a wa
footing. capable of defending the Ho
waiian islands against the who'll
world"
Il There you have an epito:ne OF tn
arguments, pro and con: and ever.
reader in this country will think TO
himself, and reach his own conclusions
One OF the strongest arguments OF tn
/ anti-annexationists is that the annexs
} ton of Hawaii as . territory of thi
: Lountry would be followed by q dc
: u,and that Hawaii should become
! sovereign state. with Representative
J u the lower house Of conGrsss, an
live esaaten y ~ vppes hsaoe I