Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-22
Hawaiian President Talks of the Sit
uation at His Home.
ANNEXATION Is POPULAR THERE
Franchise Not Likely to Be Granted
to the Asiatics.
RESTRICTING IMMIGRATION

the eastbound Union Pacific limited was
crossing the Utah-Wyoming boundary a
reporter met President Sanford B. Dole of
the Hawaiian republic, and for an hour or
SO rode with him on his journey toward the
capital President Dole said:
Il have studiously refrained from ac-
cording interviews TO the press on annexa-
ton or upon matters bearing upon it since
reaching the United States. The question
is now before the Senate of the United
States, and / deem il impolitic to express
my views at this time
Asked what powers had been delegate.
him for his present mission. Mr.. Dole said:
No special powers have been granted me.
My visit to the United States was deemei
advisable by the council of state and
strongly urged by many of our influential
citizens of the side of the government. l
doubt If any powers could be delegated to
me unless by our senate. which does not
meet until February 16. If the treaty with
Hawaii is ratified by the United States
Senate without amendment no furthe:
legislative action is necessary. If amenu-
ed II would have to be ratified by our sem
ate and myself president
Regarding the Bacon Amendment.
President Dole's attention was called to
the Bacon amendment to relegate the mat
ter to a vote of the Hawaiian citizens and
was asked whether or not annexation
would be indorsed at the Hawaiian polls
THAT is a question I would not care to
answer. but 1 think friends of annexation
in the islands are certain that it would he
adopted by large majority of citizens.
answered the president.
What legislation is in view by your peo-
pie in event of annexation"
NO special legislation is in view The
treaty provides for the appointment by the
President of the United States of COM
mission authorized to formulate and rec
ommend to Congress the legislation and
forms of government for Hawaii.
4 ne matter of franchise is not specificaI-
y provided for by our laws. For thos.
"Ho eject senator's there is a property and
educational qualifications; for those who
erect representatives an educational quail
hcatlon All electors must take an oath of
allegiance to the present government and
renounce allegiance to the monarchy Let
ters OF denization are issued to foreigners
VINO lived in the island for a certain time
previous TO the organization of the present
government, and under certain restrictions
they have the right to vote. There is
strong sentiment on the island against al
lowing Chinese and Japanese to become
citizens. There are cases where these races
have acquired the ballot. but they are very
Few, and the sentiment is adverse to their
becoming citizens The natives are all citi-
@ehs ana would have the right of franchise
Vote of the Island.
Under the regulations now governing
In the election of 1894, and about 5000 at
Inc more recent election
What effect would the failure To mass
the annexation treaty have upon your gov
ernment?" was asked
No particular effect" was his answer
All that has been done by our people
IN the form and establishment of our gov
eminent has been in view of maintaining a
permanent republic In the event that the
cd f,;I.
annex the country, our government is in
good financial condition and would be main
tanned Failure, however, of the annexa-
tlon PROJECT would seriously prejudice the
growth and prosperity of the island An
hexation would stimulate greatly and
MAKE permanent our present commercial
reIatlons with the United States. We
would have absolute instead of approxi-
mate free trade with the people of the
United States, which would stimulate ami
strengtfen both countries commercially
should annexation fail, our sugar interests
l believe, would suffer. while on the other
hand, as the limit OF sugar production on
the island has almost been reached no
INJURY would come through annexation to
the development of the beet sugar indus
try of the United States
annexation would open to Americans a
number OF Industries on the island the
most promising of which is coffee growing
There is in this industry abundant oppor-
tunity for the employment of American
capital and labor"
Anent Cheap Asiatfc Labor,
ASKED II the competition of cheap Asiatic
labor would not effectually bar American
labor from the island, Mr. Dole said: IL un-
oerstand white men are working in Cali
iornia and other states for less than we
pay Asiatic labor in Hawaii Mr.. Fftz-
gerald. labor commissioner of California.
says Hawaii affords great opening for
American labor. The climate is subtropical
conditions of life easy and nothing to pre-
vent white labor from finding at all times
profitable employment
conditions in this matter will, 1 believe
De adJusted by the continuation of the plan
ol proht sharing. which has met with much
success in Hawaii in plantation work"
How will the subjects of Great Britain
on the Island receive annexation?"
they are divided on the question; some
iaVor annexation. others are bitterly op-
posed to it, number of them believe in
and support our present form of govern
ment. although opposed to annexation. II
annexation is secured ali OF these elements
VIII probably accept the new conditions
gracefully
Has the Japanese government any In
elination to secure control Of the islands in
case they should not be annexed?"
That / do not know. We are not in
touch with japanese diplomacy, and can
not tell There is q difference of opinion
among our people on this question. many
believing that no serious danger of Japan
ese interference will exist, and others that
the danger will be great At present We
have an unadjusted difference with the
japanese government upon the question OF
immigration of japanese subjects to the
island We are endeavoring to restrict
and succeeding in restricting the immigra-
tion to degree objected to by that gov
ernment- Annexation would adjust this
question satisfactorily. for it would then
be regulated by treaty stipulations.'
Would Not Bring Trouble.
Asked IL he believed annexation woul in
volve the United States in difficulties with
any other nation Mr.. Dole said:
so far as / have thought of that phase
of the question, / have not looked forward
TO any trouble. and 1 do not think there
will be any. This. too. is the general opin-
len of our people on the subject"
Asked what the monarchial party was
doing in the matter of annexation at the
present time, Mr. Dole said:
From all reports they are actively op-
posing annexation at Washington. The ex-
queen is there, and the press reports state
that a delegation of anti-annexationists,