Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1898-07-28

pions of enlightenment fighting despot-
ism. 1t mentions, indeed, that "the
suspicion and race prejudice that al
ready existed" was intensified in 1873
through the proposal to cede Pearl
harbor to the United States in consid-
Grafton of treaty of commercial reci-
procity. Another matter, which
"helped to widen the breach" racially,
was the execution of the law for the
segregation of lepers, one result OF
which was n mutiny of the household
troops, (which had the sympathy Of
the populace." The treaty of CONNER
cial reciprocity that was negotiated in
the second year of the reign Of King
Kalakaua event into operation in Sep
TENDER, 1876 in spite of bitter opposi-
ton in both countries" In later pub
LEGATION, the last volume of "Appleton's
Annual Cyclopaedia." it is stated that
"the Americans (hf HawaiD feared that
the continued settlement of japanese
in the Hawaiian islands would result
in the transfer of political power to
them and the adoption of such laws
as would make Hawaii japanese col
ony." This matter Of Japanese com
plications will be an interesting matter
to return to in moment. It's immedi-
ate point is simply that 1t seems to let
in some further glimmer of light on the
obscure tangle of Hawaiian politics.
This football of nations seems to have
generated a conflict Of races within as
well as without. The exact truth about
the internal affairs of Hawaii cannot
yet be told, but the politicians of the
Pacific are apparently no nearer to the
angels than are those of our own land.
However benehcent the revolution
which they have brought about may
prove to be, it does not follow that their
methods were immaculate.
TO return to the more definite his
tory of Hawaii, King Kalakaua had
been seated on the throne only by the
aid of American marines, who were
called in to suppress the rioting of his
opponents. Once having got the throne
however, he set out, as we are assured
by the republicans, "to change the
system of government into personal
despotism in which he should have UNI
checked control of the government
treasury" The republican indictment
of him reads much as does tie ortho-
doX whig Indictment of Charles |. He
dismissed two ministers without as
signing any reason Immediately after
they had been triumphantly sus-
tanned by vote of the legislature"
The appointment of one of his pre-
miers, who had the picturesque name
of Celso Caesar Moreno, called forth
the protest of the representatives OF
three great powers, and such an
uprising of the people that he had to
give way" We are told that adroit
politicians taught him how to 'vio-
late the spirit and intent Of the con-
stitution, while keeping within the let
ter of the law" and also that "legis-
latures were packed with subservient
ot1icehoT1ers, while every artitice was
used to CIebauch the native elector-
ate and foment race prejudice" The
national debt grew to five times it.
self in seven years. The king accepted
brides.
All this brought about the revolu-
ton of 1887. There resulted new
constitution and great curtailment of
the royal power. Aroyalist uprising in
1899, led by one Il. W, Wilcox. was put
down and soon afterward the king
died.
The republican indictment of Liliuo-
kalani is similarto the charges against
Kalakaua. "The history of her short
reign shows that it was her unaltered
purpose to restore autocratic govern
ment." She hadprepared coupd'etat
for January A. 1898, but her minis
ters wavered at the last moment and
according to the republican account,
"there was a general uprising of the
conservative part Of the community
similar to that of 1887, and the repub-
lie was proclaimed.
The history of Hawaii under the re-
public is well known. A treaty of an
nexation to the United States was ne
gotiated as soon as possible, but was
abandoned on the accession to power
of President Cleveland. Tho steady
agitation in fayorof annexation which
has been going on ever since is too ia
miliar to need review.
In February, 1897, commissioners
were sent to Washington to draft a
treaty of annexation. by this treaty
the islands become the territory of
Hawaii, all rights of sovereignty are
ceded to the United States and the lat
ter assumes the Hawaiian debt to the
extent of $4,OOO,OOO There is an anti
annexation party in the islands that
still desires an independent govern
ment, but the Hawaiian legislature
has unanimously ratified the treaty.
The territory of Hawaii, though its
total area is only $40 square miles
and its population but 100000, has
great natural wealth. No state on
earth has more mixed population
less than one-thirCl being native Ha-
waiians, nearly one-fourth Japanese
| one-fifth Chinese one-SiXth portu.