Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1898-07-16
AS TO HAWAII.
Senator EIl1ins the Main Champion
of the Acquisition.

to do, senator ElkluS Sdlu W AbS
Wheeling Intelligencer correspondent
"The real question at issue in the
consideration of the resolution of an
nexation was whether or not the IS
lands would be beneficial to US. 1t
was claimed by those opposed to an
nexation that the territory would be
more harmful than beneficial. ! can
not understand why such argument
was made. Those islands are needed
for purpose of defense, to furnish a
base of operations for us in time OF
war, and beyond this preventing any
other country from holding them in
time of war against US as base OF
operations.
"They are also needed for purposes
of extending and expanding our com
merce and trade which in the next
fifty years will be greater with the
Orient than with Europe. The United
States must control the largest part
of this commerce, as we'll as do most
of the carrying trade.
Then, again, after the building OF
the Nicaraguan canal, they will be the
only points at which ships can touch
after leaving our country or Europe
on the way to the Philippine Islands,
China or Japan. fla ship carries coal
enough to carry it across the Pacific,
it can carry but little freight. 1t is
therefore necessary to take coal at
Honolulu, on the way to the Orient,
in order to carry freight.
These islands are needed for an
other purpose. They furnish natur-
al station for cable lines, which have
become indispensable in carrying on
commerce, and are necessary, as well,
in time of war. Cables cannot be
operated successfully for a distance OF
over 1000 miles. To develop and
maintain our trade and commerce
with the Orient we must have cable
with the natio s
which compose it. We will also need
cable connections to reach our war
vessels in Asiatic waters and the Pa
cific ocean.
without these islands we should
have to cable by the way of Europe,
both for war and commercial purposes,
unless we were to depend upon the
pleasure ofthe government that should
own and control Hawaii. The present
war and operations in the Philippines
emphasize this. Following the battle
at Manila, our government would
have given a million dollars to have
heard directly and Immediately from
Dewey.
GAS a result of this war, the United
States is obliged to inaugurate new
foreign policy, unknown to its tradi'
tons and history. This cannot be
avoided, and this policy must be in
line with that adopted by other ma
tons. We acquire Hawaii practically
without outlay; without danger Of
war or foreign complications of any
kind. The islands were offered to us
almost as a free gift. No nation ever
had such an opportunity to annex valu-
able territory"
what have you to say, Mr.. Elkins
in respect to the policy of conquest II
the prosecution of the war;"
"When we voted to go to war witt
Spain. we voted with full knowledg
that in case of victory we should have
indemnity for war expenses, and, tail
ing that, we should hold the territory
acquired and govern the people on
that territory. know it has beer
urged that the resolution declaring
war against Spain disclaimed N terms
any purpose of conquest. This is true
and l adhere to the resolutions. Thu
war was not brought on for con
quest, but it does not follow that W.
may not be obliged to take and hol'
territory, especially if we fail to &c
other indemnity to pay our war eX
penses. In our civil war Congress
declared, at the beginning, it was tn
intention to save the Union, but be
fore the strife ended the slaves wer
set tree.
THE race problem? There will b
none, practically. But we have ha
large experience with race problem
Now, let me say this: / feel that GU
constitution and laws are equal to an
emergency or crisis in government