Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1898-01-27
Not an Expensive "Law Suit"

Mr.. Carl Schurz, editor of Harper:
Weekly, mugwump and boss civil ser
vice reformer, is opposed to the annexa
ton Of Hawaii. and has recently discOy
cred a new cause why those islands
should fall into the grasp of some Other
country, preferably Germany. from
whore he came. That cause he styles
buying IA law suit.
He reasons that Americas immunity
from harassing diplomatic compiled
tions, and possibly war, with foreign
countries. is due to the fact that ir
fighting the United States a foreign ma
ton would have nothing to gain. While
it is possible for our coast cities to be
seized by any strong naval power and
held for ransom, it would be impossible
for it to gain a permanent foOthold upon
desirable territory, and Il war would be
fruitless. Up to the present time the
people of the United States have pretty
generally attended to their W bust
ness. allowed European nations to slash
around the islands of the seas. in Africa,
and even in China, without interfering.
and so long as that policy is pursued
there can be no excusc for warning on
America.
But, should we begin a ''careerof eN'
pansion,' as Mr.. Schurz denominates it,
before there is half enough population
in the country to develop it's resources.
and by SO doing manifest a disposition tc
acquire additional territory as well as to
extend all these peaceful
conditions would be changed. The pow
ers now contending for the control of
the Pacific ocean would have cause for
a quarrel with us. the islands in ques-
ton would be a prize worth fighting for,
and one. if once gained, could be held
by reason of its rcmoteness from our
continental possessions. 1t therefore
follows, according to Mr.. Schurz' idea,
that Hawaii ace Il part of the United
States. the government would be forced
to assume the burden of an excessive
naval and military force. which would
prove an expensive luxury and a drain
upon the country. Mr.. Schurz further
opines that our commercial relations
with Hawaii are so much more import
ant than those of other countries that
all that is necessary to keep the islands
free from any foreign Invasion is to put
up a sign hands off. and the present
state of affairs would remain UNI
changed.
Perhaps Mr.. Schurz is correct in his
position, but it is to be feared that the
gentleman's great experience as a pub
lie man, has not thoroughly impressed
him with the greediness of many of our
Transatlantic neighbors. They recog-
nize the Importance of the Hawaiian is
lands as the key to the Pacific and the
countries to the east, and should the
United States fail to either me or ex-
tend a protectionate over them, there
would be a steamship race for that part
of the globe, and the nation which
reached Honolulu first would take pos
session in the name of the king, car,
emperor or queen, as the case might be
instanter. and Uncle Sans hands off"
sign would be used to kindle a fire to
boil coffee over. The average American,
not the very smart one. can see the de-
STABILITY Of having the stars and stripes
float over the islands, and there will be
a mighty storm of Indignation for the
statesmen at Washington to face, If the
present congress does not accomplish an
ncxation. The additional expense neccs-
sary, in the way Of a navy, to hold the
new territory will be borne without a
murmur.