The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-05-31
THE GREAT RACE.

The question of race for the Ma
Mia feet by the United States and
Spain is one of the most interesting
phases of modern history, or in fact
of the worlds history. The point to
commence with, is whether there can
be such chance. The difference in
miles between going to Manila from
Spain, and going to Manila from San
Francisco is some 1900 miles or more.
This really means a difference Of six
days steaming at the rate of $50 miles
a day. The question is who started
first. how much time has been already
expended and you have the problem
in a nutshell. This would be clear,
but as in all problems, there are many
side issues to be considered, which
modify the main proposition. The
present one offers no difference to any
others which have from time to time
been presented in history.
The United States for years has
maintained relations with the domi-
mating Islands of the Pacific. Her in
fiuence has brought to these shores
men whose bent of mind is entirely
in her interest. In good repute, in
bad repute, the men who believed in
the United States have fostered the
institutions and ideas which belong
to the Great Republic, till they had to.
be heard. Then the Little Republic,
own child of the Washingtonian idea,
was born and has grown to vigor, but
wants to be owned by its parent and
not left as the off spring of light o
love to disgrace the source from which
it sprung. No one in the broad Unit
ed States can say that the men with
the American idea here have ever dis
graced their parent.
Holding, as the United States does,
the influence in Hawaii and finding
in the mid-Pacific "A community which
was not only in sympathy, but which
was ready and willing to throw its
fortunes into the, chances of the
Great Republic, ready to stand or fall
by them-she has commanding po-
sition in the race for Manila which
many do not realize.
What has Spain? She can send her
ships through the SueH canal, because
that marine thoroughfase was made
neutral by joint convention between
Great Britain and France in 1887, and
the adhesion of the powers, even to
the Sultan, was brought in by Deem
Der, 1883. But that is ALL Spain has
the advantage of making short cut.
Where will her ships get their coal.
At Suez? The expedition is bellig
erent one. No coal. At Alden. The
same answer. At Madagascar, but
France has declared neutrality. Cey-
lon will not be able or willing to help,
and thence toward the Malay PENN
sula, through the straits and into the
China seas there is no help. A Span
ish fleet starting on such an eXpedi-
ton will be utterly helpless long be-
fore it gets to Manila.
With the United States it is differ
ent. The troops of the Stars and
Stripes, by means of the work done
in the past and come to fruition in
the present, have a pied a terre," a
foothoid lin the Pacific. The boys can
and will refresh themselves, and the
men-of-war and transports can take
in coal as long as there is a pound
of coal left on these shores.
Practically, Hawaii is the keystone
of the arch between the Golden Gate
and Manila, the pivot upon which the
mightiest of events may turn. Surely
by her conduct Hawaii has earned
what she has for ears so earnestly de-
sired-AnneXation to the United
States.