The Hawaiian gazette., 1898-02-15
PLANS FOR FUTURE
Il Annexation Fails H0V Can Ha-
wall Best Govern Herself?
SUGGESTIONS OF Mr.. 7. H. DAVIES
Seek to Continue Commercial Re-
lations With u. S.-Value of
Independence.

EDITOR P. c. A.:-Within week
the Hawaiian Legislature is expected
to assemble, and before its Propagation,
annexation to the United States may
have transferred to other shoulders the
responsibility for the government of
this group Of Islands.
Many persons are apparently conf
dent that the negotiations now going
on at Washington cannot fail, but there
are others who believe that the posi-
bility of failure is at least sufficient to
make it the duty of prudent men
whatever their politics-to consider the
alternative which may have to be
adopted if we do not secure annexa-
ton.
1t has been suggested by some, that
in event of an adverse decision on the
part of the United States, the sover-
eighty of the Islands should be at once
offered to Great Britain or to some 9TH
er European power. 1t is my firm be-
lief that no such offer would be accept
ed, for no European power would be
likely to risk complications with the
United States Government for the sake
of any advantage which the possession
of these Islands could give them.
However this may be, our clear duty
is TO ascertain how we can best govern
ourselves, in the event of finding no
other power willing to undertake that
privilege. 1t is not desirable, nor in
deed possible at present, to discuss the
details of any scheme, but it seems to
me very important that the general
outlines should be thought out without
delay, by those upon whom the respon-
sibility of the decision may rest-that
is, by every intelligent citizen of Ha-
wall.
The essential conditions of any stable
scheme appear to me to be-
/. That the Washington verdict be
accepted as decisive, so that we may
join hands and work Loyalty together
for the common good.
2. That we adopt such basis of ma
tional existence as shall enable us to
present to all other nations the assur-
ance that we value our independence as
highly as we value their support
g. That we seek to continue the
special relations with the United States
which have given Hawaii so many com
mercial advantages, in return for the
commercial and political advantages
which the United States has enjoyed
f. That we endeavor to secure from
the chief powers an assurance of moral
support in any legislation that may be
necessary to regulate the influx of
Asiatic immigration.
8. That we amend the Constitution
by constitutional means-so as to re-
move from the minds of Hawaiians and
of foreigners all ground for fear that
the interests or legitimate influence of
either will be put in danger.
There is no advantage now in revert
ing to past history, in order to impute
responsibility to one or another for the
position in which we now find our
selves. The Government, as it now
stands, may or may not have many de-
fects, but it is the universally recogniz-
ed Government of Hawaii. Our business
is not now to call in question its origin,
but to remedy defects, and to strength
en- its foundations
If on the one hand the foreigners re-
solve-that the interests and the senti-
ments and the dignity of the Hawai-
ians shall have full consideration and
fair play. 1 believe that on the other
hand the Hawaiians would accept the
Republic, in which the interests, intel
Egence and power of the foreigner
should have full recognition. have nc
authority to express any opinions ex-
cept my own, but venture to address
you upon subject which is of i'm
mense Importance to every one who is
interested in these Islands.
1 am sir,
Your obedient servant,
THEO. H. DAVIES.
Craigside. February - 1908