Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1898-07-16
THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.

Hawaii is ours. The islands are
now United States territory and will
always remain so, as long as we have
the power TO hold them. The wis
dom Of annexation, however. has yet
TO be proved. There is no doubt but
public sentiment has been over
whelmiDgly In favor OF annexation,
and on that score. IL no other, the
government has done well. Whether
the United States, as asa,whole, will ul-
timately gain or lose by the moye re-
mains to be seen. The direct and
Immediate pecunlary result will be an
outlay-of many millions on the part
of the government. We assume the
debt OF 100000 for starter; we
must spend many millions more for
public buildings and TO provide for
the defense OF the islands; we must
build, equip and sustain a number OF
extra warships. That our navy
should be increased no one will ques-
tlon, but that the possession Of the
islands will necessltate several more
ships than we would otherwise need is
equally clear. We already had a
coaling station and harbor in Pearl
Harbor, which is practically all that
we haYe now. The trade of the islands
was ours; as much so, probably, 'as.it |
will be now. international trade fol-
lows the lines OF business advantage,
not political sentiment. Old Glory is
the lovellest banner that was ever
kissed by the breeze: but 1t has not
the power TO increase the productive
ness of the soil over which 1t waves.
Mr., Spreckles will import no more
sugar from the islands than he mas
heretofore;neither will two cocoanuts
grow where one grew before. We al
ready supplied the islands with what
ever we could sell to them In compe-
tition with other nations, and as
matter Of fact, the consumption Of
American goods by the three or four
thousand whites and the balance OF
Kanakas, ,Japs and Cinnamon has been
and will be too ridicuously insigniii-
caut 10 cut any figure. There are
several firms, In San Francisco, who
could handle the whole trade without
increasing their force.
There will be boom In Honolulu |
real estate, but that will benefit only |
those few who are on the ground and 1
are far-seeGng enough to stand from
under before the crash comes, and ]
even their profits will consist OF the
losses OF Others. '
New lines Of steamers will be put ]
On, but, unless business increases q
from causes not now apparent, they 6
Will lose money and be withdrawn. I
The very best argument that has
been advanced in favor OF annexation
was, that II we did not take the S
slaads, some other nation would. |
Donceulng that TO be true, IL may be ,
'eason sufficient for our taking them; q
out II is hard TO see why we could not '
laYe extended the Monroe doctrine TO S
.he islands as easily aud consistently h
Is we could abandon that doctrine p
md 20 far aud away beyond IL. All 81
lalk OF manifest destiny Is arrant d
nonsense, The man OF destiny died a
IN 81. Helena. On the other hand x
lhe anneyatlonIs.s have been right G.
n saying that we should not be 4
guided altogether by our traditions, u
for the sake OF conser- i
Eatlsm, in either foreign or domestic
has little to recommend II 10
Ihe modern American. u
That the government OF the hetero
,eneous population OF the islands is "
new problem, should not bring on any = =
'pIdemlc OF heart failure, for we are
lmply able TO solve IL. y
But the die is casti the islands are !,
'nrs, 'for better or for worsein II for =
Ihe better, all honor % the statesmen :, !,
Who have brought II abouti IL for the :,
Torse, then we viii stiI make the "
best Of Il. :