Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1898-02-19
UTAH AND HAWAII.

For two reasons the people of Utah
question, but these two reasons tend
to create conflicting sympathies /. The
beet sugar industry IL developing rap
idly in Utah and promises soon to be-
come a source Of great revenue to the
farmers in different parts OF the State,
ana the fear exists that the annexation
of the Hawaiian islands by the United
States would result In injury TO this
great Industry, through competition
with the cheap native product, madu
from cane: hence a sentiment OF op-
position 10 making the islands a part of
the Union. .. Several thousand of the
natives of the islands are of the same
religious faith as are the majority of
the people of Utah, hence n desire on
the part of the latter to see extended
over the little mid-ocean republic. the
liberty and protection guaranteed by
the American Constitution.
The friends of annexation insist that
the beet sugar industry would not be
at all injured by making the Hawaiian
republic part OF this country. They
make a very plausible showing to the
effect that the sugar industry has been
developed almost II not quite to its
limit on the islands, that II can never
compete with the beet sugar interests
of this country more closely than 1t
is doing now. and that the present re-
lations OF reciprocity between the
American and Hawaiian republics, I'M
der which the sugar of the latter is adj
mitted free of duty by the former, has
precisely the same effect upon the price
of sugar that annexation would. III
other words, 1t is claimed that annexa-
tion would make no change whatever
In the American sugar market.
1t Is insisted that the reasonableness
of this claim is apparent. Hawaiian
sugar is now being admitted into all
American ports free of duty, and no
more than this could be done were the
islands part Of the Union. But the
beet sugar interest of Utah need have
little fear of competition from Hawaii
until 1t is able to supply at least the
home demand, for up to that point 1t
profitable Investment. The cost of
transportation is great protection to
1t. An intelligent gentleman who Ia
prominently identified with the beet
sugar business in this State. and who
was formerly pronounced in his opposl-
tion to annexation because he believed
1t would injure that business, has in
40 iaa oil lac.
the result that he has completely re-
versed his position.
It is desirable to maintain reciprocity,
because under II Hawaii furnishes a
necessary market for American
products; but such reciprocal relations
as would be of most advantage to this
country commercially almost amount
to protectoratc. and may ut any
time have to be defended by force of
arms. thus involving the United States
in a war in which the islands would
be the scene of action and their in
habitants and property destroyed The
danger of war which exists under
reciprocity would disappear with an
nexation. for no nation would modest
the Islands If they We're a part of the
American Union, Were this country
to cancel its reciprocity treaty with
them, and abandon all idea of annex
Ing them. ten days would not elapse
before England, Germany. Japan and
Russia would all be making a rush for
them, and the first army OF occupation
that could be landed would try to hold
Iii
would be deluged by blood, by inter-
nal conflict and by war. and their peo-
pie and property would be destroyed.
Such is the almost unanimous opin-
ion of members of the Senate commit
tee on foreign affairs; and 1t has been
given out on the most unquestionable
authority that japanese statesmen
have admitted that if the United States
had not become Interested in the Ha-
waiian question last spring by the pre-
sentation to the Senate OF the annexa-
tion treaty, Japan would have seized
the islands. japanese to the number OF
about 10000 are now working there as
coolies. but they are all trained soldiers,
ready for their country's call.
AHfIt hIt many men III itun VINO
have lived among the Hawalians and
who love them for their simple hon
esty, kindness of heart and other vir-
tues. Many of these citizens of Utah
would be glad to see the native king
dom restored. and the islanders liv.
ing under their own government. Bp.
all such hopes seem impossible OF
fruition. Foreigners are in control o:
the commerce and industries of the
country, and the natives are in a COM
paratively helpless condition; and the
love for them which any citizen OF
this state may feel should under the
circumstances, give rise to a desire tc
see them given government which
next to their own, IL most desirable
for them, that OF the United States.
When the people Of Utah come tc
weigh carefully all the arguments re.
latng TO the annexation of Hawaii, tht
News" is Of opinion that they viii
favor the proposition. There are strong
reasons for the fear that. unless Hawai-
is annexed to this country. 1t will soon