Evening star., 1899-03-22
THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS
Their Annexation by the United States Sub
ject of Lecture,
Prof. Edwin Morgan Addresses the
National Geographic Society
Population of the Territory.

large audience at the Columbia Theater
yesterday afternoon listened with interest
and profit to a lecture by Prof Edwin
Morgan, on The Annexation of Hawaii
1t was given under the auspices of the
National Geographic Society and was a
continuation of the series of afternoon lee
lures which have proved so popular
The lecturer recently visited Hawaii and
devoted considerable time to the study of
the present conditions and the past his
tory of the islands. After explaining their
geographic position, which he made clearer
by displaying several maps, the speaker
said: The present population of natives
is estimated to be 23,oO0 reduced from
2o0,eH or 100000 in the time when Euro
pean civilization was not the dominant in
iuence. He attributed this reduction to
the effects Of civilization, which they could
not bear.
Development Begins.
He said that the year 1876 is a most
important date in Hawaiian history. 1t
was then that the reciprocity treaty with
the United States was made. and then the
archipelago grew almost Immediately from
a few quiet islands in the middle of the
Pacific into an agricultural country of i'm
portance. This reciprocity treaty allowed
sugar bananas and other products TO be
imported into the United States free of
charge Capital was attracted, the sugar
Industry was planned on large scale and
the magnificent resources of Hawaii were
developed largely by means of American
enterprise. The treaty expired at the end
of seven years, and was then renewed on
other terms by which Pearl harbor seven
miles from Honolulu, was ceded to the
United States. This is the best and really
the only ttrst-class harbor in the archi-
pelago, and through il the United States
obtained an enormous advantage. Ameri-
can influence grew, and Hawaiian natives
or American parentage became prominent
in local affairs When the revolution of
1893 broke ont the queen found herself
confronted by the vigilance committee of
cltizens, partly natives, but largely of
American Symnathies.
The speaker gave the details of the flag
hosting, in February, 1893. the subsequent
treaty which failed because of the onno-
slton of President Cleveland. and the an
neXation of the islands TO this country un-
der the present administration
Men Of Ability.
He stated that the Americans, who have
led in Hawaiian affairs. have been men of
real executive ability, men of advanced
Ideas and unquestionable motives. After
1885 there was strong feeling in this
country that the Hawaiian government had
been badly treated. that a band of Ameri-
can adventures had deprived the native
monarchs of their vested right and that
the American people We're endeavoring to
deprive the Hawatians of their liberty and
their happiness. But though this sentiment
Is creditable, though il shows nobility of
feeling on the part of Americans it was nor
based on facts. The situation was not such
as depicted. The Americans were nor a
band OF adventurers And We are driven
to the conclusion that the history of the
Hawaiian people was but the history of The
inevitable. We find that the history of the
peoples of Polynesia has been throughout
a a. tragic history. Take Hawaii or take New
EeaIahd Tor instance. The natives have
been unable to endure civilization. Thev
nave gwen way. and are rapidly dying out.
IL was the white mans burden to bring
t thehi ciNihzaton, and the Poynesians have
been crushed under the white mans bI,ro
den.' Jul