Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-10-01

The American commissioners named nv
President Mckinley to visit Hawaii and
draft bill for the future government of
those Islands have returned to this country
with what appears, from the brief outline
OF their propositions which has thus far
been given to the public, to be a satisfactory
and safe plan of administration. They have
rot been kept long abroad. Their task was
difficult, but not beyond the reach of wise
solution. One of the main arguments raised
against the union of the two republics be-
fore and repeated after annexation was ac-
Compilshad YVES that it would be next to
IN Possible to adjust the differing conditions
existing in the United States and Hawaii
Chaos was freely predicted as surely to fol-
lew union. The plans of the commits sioners.
as thus far revealed indicate that this sug-
gestton, like most others which were put
forth by the enemies of annexation was a
hgment of the imagination, basaIess in
tact, and unJustjtied even in theory when
the true situation became known.
The purpose of the commissioners is to
recommend that the islands be governed as
a territory, differing somewhat in form and
relationship TO the states from the al
ready existing American territories This
dl11rence IS necessary to cover the unusual
conditions existing in the annexed group.
W hat II entails in particular does not now
appear. II is likewise planned to adopt a
scheme Of nfranchisement which will rec
osnize the widely diversified branches of
the Hawaiian population, drawing the nee
ess&ry line of distinction between the edu-
Gated permanent inhabitants and the labor
ers imported for commercial uses, "a well
as the lower orders of foreigners who have
OF late years been crowded into the islands
Tor colonizinS purposes. To enfranchise
tEeSe dlHering elements each upon it's own
proper ground requires a plan of suffrage
markedly distinct from the broadly uniform
American plan, and it appears now that
The commissioners have devised a project
which will meet the case in it's exact bear
ings, as revealed to them in their investiga-
tiCns.
Aside from the Questi of government
and enfranchisement comes the other and.
IN some respects, more important subject
of adjusting the national laws of the United
States to the conditions now existing in
tn islands. To apply those laws at one
broad stroke would be manifestly unjust
and unwise Hardships and inequities would
be worked which might not be cured in
decades. The labor laws especially require
laws will demand statesmanlike attention
These subjects are included in the commits
sicners' plan, which is said to have been
already outlined in the form of a bill ready
for submission 10 the President The land
laws, the fishing laws and other important
f=atures of the island code are to be dove
tailed into the American system with
minimum of fric ton.
As far as it stands revealed the COM
missions conclusion has met these many
points of interest and Importance Ha-
ali is to become part of the United States
on a fair basis of political relationship and
lagal administration. The action will not
disturb existing cond lions on the mainland
and VIII gradually reduce the differences
betV cen the tnSular and continental svs-
tens in a manner to work the least degree
of injury TO established interests The pro-
cess of arnaigamation has proved thus far,
ard will doubtless continue to prove, easy
Of management in the hands of the capable
raen to whom it mas been entrusted.