The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1898-06-01
Continued from Ist poge.)

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as a citadel OF defence. 1t could be
made the location of enormous ware
houses, in which might be stored
the manufactured products Of this
country consumed by contiguous
nations. When China, Australia,
New Zealand, Corea, or other coun.
try desires shipment, vessel can
be sent to Hawaii for it, and the
cargo can be unloaded at destina.
ton before a ship, started out at
the same time, would have time to
reach European port. We could
thus control the trade because no
other nation could compete with us.
The possession OF Hawaii and the
control of the Pacific would mean
the construction OF the Nicaragua
Canal. This would bring the Pa
cific trade almost to our door, Be-
sides the enormous distance cut off,
the rough waters around Cape
Horn would be avoided, and the
dangerous rocks OF Magellan Straits
would be escaped European ves-
sells would be forced to patronize
our canal or 60 out OF business.
This is what is being said in Con-
gress, and it will have its effect in
the present aggressive condition Of
the public mind.
THE NORTH AND SOUTH AGAIN.
There is another collateral fact
that is having its influence in the
desire for an increased development
OF our foreign trade. Alabama can
produce pig-iron one dollar per ton
cheaper than can Pennsylvania.
Alabama is demonstrating her su-
perior abilities by furnishing iron,
raw and manufactured, to Europe
and Japan. She can do so because
in Pennsylvania the ore is found FIVE
hundred feet below the surface.
Limestone with which to Aux it must
be sought thirty miles distant. Coal
with which to melt it must be haul
ed another thirty miles, after being
dug from far below the surface. All
this costs. In Alabama coal, lime
stone, and ore can be dug from the
one hillside, above aylight, al in
one spot, aud, instead Of piercing
the earth, and going far "down in a
coal mine, underneath the ground"
the ore, coal, and limestone can be
dug out, put on cars, and rolled
down an incline to the coke. ovens
and blast furnaces in the valleys be-
low. With Hawaii in our possession
and the Nicaragua Canal built, Ala
bama's coal would find a market.
These facts have been used in Con-
gress for the annexation of Hawaii,
and this illustration has been given.
"With Hawaii in our possession and
the Nicaragua Canal built, Ala
bama's coal would find a market.
Foreign and domestic vessels, going
around the Horn, through the
Straits, or, as most OF them would,
through the canal, instead Of load
ing 900 tons OF coal in their bunk
ers, at Liverpool, for instance, would
take $40 tons, aud add to their cargo
another 500 tons OF freight. These
800 tons OF freight would pay their
way through the canal, and when
they reached Hawaii, they would re-
coal with Alabama coal, and go on
their way Unless we possess Ha.
wall some other nation will possess
it, in which event Chinese coal will
be shipped there in transports, and
used to the exclusion OF American
coal. Very near the Chinese coast
lie coal beds the veins OF which are
twenty-three feet thick. Betwet n
this product and the Alabama pro-
duct the contest will be fierce, and
it will be decided by the possession
OF Hawaii, the key to the commerce
OF the Pacific" Coal mined in
China is being exported to Calfor-
MIA, and it said in few years "the
flowery land" will supply the whole