The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-06-10
Thurston Writes Of Ha-
waits Attitude to u. S.
Should This Government Make
Declaration - Effect on
Annexation,



between Spain and the United States,
and 1 understand that some others
who have protested to believe in an
nexation are doing the same thi, g.
1 make no insinuation agains the
honesty of those who would do this
thing, but as to those who profess an
nexation principles, challenge their
Judgment and their singIeness of pur-
pose.
They claim that Hawaii is still an in
dependent country and should act
strictly as such.
They claim that if the United States
wants to use Hawaii, it lies within
its power to secure that use by imme-
date annexation; that we should allow
no more privileges to America than to
Spain; and that if we maintain this
position it will force the United States
to act.
1t is idle to discuss whether Hawaii
is technically independent. The world
knows that five years ago we founded
a government ito exist until union
with the United States" was accom-
plished; that we have since signed
sealed and delivered" the title deeds,
and that all that remains to complete
the transaction is acceptance by the
United States.
Everything that Hawaii can do to
make it American territory has been
done.
If fear of Spain is at the bottom of
81, DIV hpc,
done by Hawaii to entitIe Spain to at
tack us, on the same principle thai
she would capture a cruiser which had
| been offered to the United States ana
was on the voyage there. Such craft
would make a sorry argument against
caDture. on the ground that she had
| not vet succeeded in getting into port.
The trouble with you is that you are
| ready to take all the benefits OF Am
| erican connection as long as there IS
no danger in sight; but if Spain should
appear on the scene you want to be
able to put on a look OF righteous I'M
! DartiaIity. and say 1--WE amt dom
nOthin'; we're strictly neutral! When
| Snain answers by reaching around
and pulling the annexation treaty ana
| the Hawaiian Senate ratification there
| of out of President DOle,s coat TAI
pockets, | can think Of no appropriate
smile except the historic picture OF
the darkey, with chickens heads, talls
and legs appearing through various
portions of his clothing, who answers
the farmers charge of larceny, with tne
indignant inquiry, Who done Stole
| yO chickens?
If we are prepared to Withdraw ou1
r-r11 on
declaration of neutrality would ther
be in order; but as long as we allow
o11r offer Of annexation to stand, We
must take the incidental mconVem
ences as well as the benefits attaching
to this admittedly anomolous status
That there are benefits as well as in
cOnyeniences, is demonstrated by tn
fact that but for the negotiation o
the annexation treaty last summer III
Reciprocity Treaty would certalnl
have been abrogated, or so modlned a
TO have left little benefit to Hawai-
Aside from the technical position
Hawaii. and the practical view whic
Spain might take of the matter OF
cIaration of neutrality by Hawaii
this stage, under present condition
would be an act bordering on 1mb'
| Cll1Iy, lOI any OAIC " NJ Ae'' ~
nexation policy.
This country is under the strain
war. This produces a nervous tensiC
of feeling which takes seriously, ma
ters which ordinarily would pass III
noticed. For example, although Franz
has committed no overt act, lnten'
feeling has been created here, simp
bv the tone of a part of the Fren(
press which is friendly to Spain, I
sulting in the passage of numerous 7
solutions by American organization
bovcotting French products, and
serious hostility to any appropriate
for an American exhibit to the Pan
fair of 1900.
The newspaper reports Of the frien
lv attitude Of the Hawaiian Cover
. ment. and its willingness to allc
privileges to the United States, ha
produced a most kindly feeling hel
which we hope to reap the benefits
Technically right or practical
wrong. a Hawaiian. declaration Of ne
w tralitv would be looked upon he
as a slap in the face; as an indicate
| of fair weather friendship.
AS for Withholding privileges fro
the United States for the purpose
sblufing'' it into Fastening its Ieisul
II. acceptance of the pending trea
this people is not one which can
y worked by a bluff, and the sooner a
/ thoughTOf securing action through su
means is abandoned the better
t. every one who honestly favors anne
~ alton.
The waiting for action on our tree
il. wears0me; there does not seem
us to be gOOd reason for the della
but we knew the history Of such mo-
ments and the cumberOus nature
---@a American legislation before We Beg
There exised no reason in 1898.
- favor of annexation, which is not fl
Is as strong, if not stronger in 1898.
~ "AlI things come to him who wait
We are losing nothing by delay. {
cause was never so strong in this COZ