The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1898-06-10
Thurston Writes of Ha,
walls Attitude to U. S.
Should This Government Make
Declaration - Effect on
Annexation.
Washington. May -. lSsS

nex2l01 are doing The same thing.
I make no instauatioa against The
honesty OF those who would do this
thing. but IS 10 those who profess an
nexa1on principles. l challenge their
Judgment and their singieneSs OF pur-
pose
They claim that Hawaii : Sill 2n IN
dependent country and should &C,
strictly IS such.
They claim thai II the United States
wants 70 use Hawaii, i. lies within
its power 70 secure that use by imme-
6iate annexation; that We should allow
no more privileges 10 America than TO
Spain; and THAI if We maintain this
position i viii torce the United States
70 act
i Is idle 70 discuss whether Hawaii
is technically independent. The world
knows that five years ago We founded
government TO exist until union
With the United States" was accom-
plished; that We have since signed
sealed and delivered the title deeds.
and that al that remains 70 complete
the transaction Is acceptance by the
United States.
Everything that Hawaii can do 10
make il American territory has been
done
II fear OF Spain Is Al the bottom Of
your policy. enough has already been
done by Hawaii 10 enutle Spain 10 at
tack Us. on the same principle that
she would capture 2 cruiser which had
been offered 10 the United States and
was on Che voyage there Such 2 era<t
would make : sorry argument against
capture. on the ground that she had
not YET succeeded in getting into port
The trouble with you is that you are
ready 10 take all the benefits of AM
sriCan connection IS long as there is
no danger N sight; but If Spain should
appear on the scene you want 10 be
able 10 put on 3 look OF righteous i'm
partially. and say We amt dom
nOthin':: we're strictly neutral," When
Spain answers by reaching around
and pulling the annexation treaty and
the Hawaiian Senate ratification there
OF. ont OF President Dole's cost tail
pockets. I can think OF no appropriate
smile except the historic picture Of
the darkey, with chickens heads, tails
and legs appearing through various
portions OF his clothing, who answers
the farmers charge OF larceny, with the
indignant inquiry, Who done stole
yo' chickens?"
Il We are prepared 10 withdraw our
annexation proposition. we'll and good.
2 declaration OF neutrality would then
Be n order: but IS long as We allow
our offer OF annexation 10 stand, We
must take the incidental ihconyeni-
ences as well as the benefits attaching
20 this admittedly anomalous status.
That there are benefits as well as in
c0nvenienees. Is demonstrated by the
fact that but for the negotiation Of
The annexation treaty last summer the
Reciprocity Treaty would certainly
have been abrogaIed, or so modified as
10 have left little benefit 10 Hawaii,
Aside from the technical position Of
Hawaii. and the practical view which
Spain might take OF the matter q de-
claration Of neutrality by Hawaii al
this stage. under present conditions,
would be an act bordering on imbe-
cility, for any one who faYors the an
nexation policy.
This country is under the strain Of
war. This produces a nervous tension
OF feeling which takes seriously, mat
tiers which ordinarily would pass IN
noticed. For example, although France
has committed no overt act, intense
feeling has been created here. simply
By the tone OF a part Of the French
press which is friendly 10 Spain, re-
sulting IN the passage OF numerous re-
solutions by American organizations.
boycotting French products. and in
serious hostility 10 any appropriation
for an American exhibit 10 the Paris
fair OF 1900.
The newspaper reports OF the friend
" attitude OF the Hawaiian Govern
ment, and its willingness 10 allow
/ privileges 10 the United States, have
! produced a most kindly feeling here
which we hope to reap the benefits Of
Technically right or practically
wrong, Hawaiian declaration OF neu-
trality would be looked upon here
as a slap in the face: as an indication
OF fair weather friendship.
AS for Withholding privileges from
the United States for the purpose o.
''bluffng" it into fastening its leisure.
y acceptance Of the pending treaty
this people is not one which can BIZ
worked by blum, and the sooner an!
though OF securing action through sucf
means is abandoned the better fol
every one who honestly favors annex
alton.
The waiting for action on our treat!
IS Eearisome; there does not seem II
US 10 be good reason for The delay
but We knew the history of such move
ments and the cumberous nature o
American legislation before We began
/ There exised no reason in 1893. il
favor Of annexation, which is not full.
as strong, if not stronger in 1898
@All things come TO him who waits
We are losing nothing by delay. Gu
cause was never so strong in this coun
try as il is today. All that We haY
got to do 10 succeed, is TO allow no
thing in our calendar that stands il