The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1902-03-24
RESULTS OF ANNEXATION IN
HAWAII.

The communication of Mr.. Alfred Stead
to the London Saturday Review and the
comments Of that paper regarding alleged
conditions in Hawaii raise the question
whether annexation to the United States of
previously foreign territories is beneficial to
them or not. Mr.. Stead, after a brief stay
in Hawaii, pronounced the conditions there
"deplora ble'' and said 'the foremost advo-
Gates of annexation in 1898 are now the
most bitter and outspoken in bewailng its
accomplishment" No evidence is offered of
the truth of this assertion. and no state
ment of the kind has appeared before in
any quarter. The Review, commenting edi
torially on Mr.. Steads communication,
says: Whatever evils the Hawaiians are
suffering as a result of American protection
they have richly merited as a punishment
for their monstrous treatment of Queen
Liliuokalani." The assumption that Mr..
Stead's statements are true and that there
is no other side to the case shows a will
ingness to draw very hasty conclusions, to
say the least.
The Journal has already presented some
Hawaii since its annexation which were
strongly Indicative of growing prosperity
1t is difficult to see how a country can be
languishing whose foreign trade has in
creased from S2S.997, ga in 1898. the year of
annexation. to $40. 100000 in 1900. The United
Hawaifs trade. both in exports and i'm
ports, and the bulk OF the increase above
referred to was in trade with the United
States. Our imports from Hawaii increased
from S13.6S7 799 in 1897, the year before an
nexation, 10 $l7.S3 1853 in 1899 and to S2O,-
7O7 903 I'm 1900. Our exports to the islands in
creased in value from Si,622, 5S1 in 1897 to
s9OO6.6u in 1899 and to $1S509.1iS in 1900.
Since annexation the increase of Hawaiian
trade with the United States has far ex-
ceeded that with all other countries COM
bined. The population of the islands in
creased from 10000 in 1896 to 154.oOl in 1900.
These conditions afford unmistakable indi-
cations of general prosperity and OF the be-
/ ginning of a new era in the islands.
The charge of general stagnation and de-
| plorable conditions brought by Mr.. Stead
| can probably be accounted for in two ways.
/ First. he accepted without question the
views OF English and German residents of
the islands who were opposed to annexa-
ton from the beginning. and who will not
admit that IT has brought anything but
disaster. Second, he made no allowance
for the natural friction due to change of
government. OF laws and of economic sys-
TENS. The German and English sugar
planters in the islands opposed annexation
from the start because they knew the
United States would prohibit the importa-
ton OF Chinese labor. as IL has done. and
they would undo the treaty OF annexation
/ II they could. Again. IL would be absurd "a
suppose that a change OF sovereignty. of
government, OF laws and OF labor conditions
could be effected in Hawaii and everything
settle down TO normal conditions in two or
three years II is great thing that not
withstanding the friction caused by these
changes and the fact that there Is an or
ganized party in Hawaii opposed TO the
administration sort OF disaneeted and
] disloyal adjunct OF the Democratic party in