Omaha daily bee., 1898-05-30
FALLACIOUs ARGUMENTS.

The fnllncy of the arguments OF the
Hawaiian anneXntionists Is easily
shown. Onc of their organs says that
annexation Of the islands Is a necessity
because they are the halfway house to
the Philippines and our troop ships
must touch there for provisions and
coal Oh their way to Manila. Our ships
are rs free to do this as If the islands
were a part Of the territory Of the
United States. The Hawaiian govern
ment has not declared neutrality, but
instead has notified this government
that its ships may Goa nj Honolulu and
get any other supplies which can be OBJ
tanned there. 1t Is true that It IL still
in the power of the Hawaiian govern
ment to declare neutrality, but there
Is not the remotest probability that II
will do so. II Is absolutely certain that
Hawaii will continue to be as free to
visits of Il ships requiring coal or
other supplies as it has ever been.
Another suggestion of the advocates
of annexation Is that Spain might have
not only n ground for just complaint,
but for n claim for damages against
Hawaii, on account of the favor shown
the United States, despite the fact that
Hawaii has not declared neutrality. If
this be admitted Of what
would be II claim for damages on the
part of Spain? That country will not
be In condition after the war To enforce
Allfn "A claim ana at nil .NrA.t. sI,
United States would see to II that
Hawaii vas protected. In accepting
the hospitality Of her ports we shall also
assume all the responsibilities IMPLIED.
1t Is, however, manifestly absurd to
talk about Spain complaining in this
matter as n reason for this country an.
neXing the islands.
The annexationists utterly fail TO sus.
tain their contention that the absorption
of h Hawaiian islands by the United
states Is a necessity. The fallacy OF
their arguments is so clear that any
one of ordinary intelligence must see
II. Still 1t appears that they are in a
majority In congress, a large number
or republicans in the house failing to
see. what Speaker Reed has pointed
out, that pressing the annexation
scheme at this time will work harm To
the party Mr.. Reed is quoted as say
Ing: Apart entirely from the moral
questions, or even the administrative
questions, this move would be bad poll.
tics. The issue at the coming elections
would not he the past record of the
republican party, or the pending war,
or anything of that sort, but annexation
and kindred questions; and every
scandal which could possibly be at.
tached to the republican party Ia con.
n%ection herewith, whether we'll
founded or baseles~, would be dragged
GA and magnlhed." Mr.. Reed L. also
reported Ia have said that to rush III
now and make the naval situation In
the Pacific an excuse for enccting by
legislation the scheme for annexation
which has been unable 10 get past lh,
senate Ia the f0rm of a treaty would
lac Ia open the doors for every Kind ui
lobbery, la o llttlc while congres.
would run riot There eau hc no uurs
tion ~ 10 the wisdom aud soundncA,
~ MIR Reeds position aud IL IL some
what remarkable that ho rhould h,
among the minority ~ the republican,
Ia congress la regard "a lhls qurstiun
Hut never has bis worth an a puhll,
man been mare Widely aud intplligrnll,
appreciated