The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1905-12-08
GOVERNORS
STRONG TALK
Continued from Page -


to allow American manufactures to
come into Hawaii without duty. 1t
was finally passed for ten years, to be
abrogated by either party after that
time on one years notice. The first
ten years expired and in 1885 and 1887
there was talk of abrogating it. One
of the reasons why 1t was not abrogat-
ed was the fact that Great Britain re-
allied more then than she had in the
past the advantage that these islands
would be to her. She put in the claim
that there was a violation of the treaty
of 1913. But she merely filed the claim
and as long as Uncle Sam kept his
hold on the islands, John Bull had moth
ing to say. But the minute that I'm
Gle Sam had let go of Hawaii, that
claim would have suddenly grown enor-
mously and the first thing you knew,
John Bull would have had the islands.
This is one of the reasons why Uncle
Sam continued the treaty.
That treaty knit us closely to the
protection and influence of the United
States. Prior to that time, there were
merchants in this city who kept their
books in pounds, shillings and pence
And there was talk of a reciprocity
treaty with Australia and market
there for our sugar.
ANNEXATION TALK.
From 1853 there had been talk of an
nexation. In 1854 there was consider
able talk of 1t here. The newspapers
discussed it, the public men agitated
it. The constitution of the Republic
when 1t came to be organized provided
for annexation but II was not brought
about. II was not until the war with
Spain that it was brought about, and
then it was largely a matter of senti-
ment with the American people more
than reason. The reason for that SEN
tment is one of the things for which
Hawaii may be proud. That sentiment
was made by my predecessor in office.
1t was this way. We had heard that
there was Spanish cruiser in the Car
dimes. She might come here. We all
remember how one day Diamond Head
Charlie from the lookout station re-
ported strange steamer sighted and
how people rushed up and down Fort
street until finally she was recognized
as British tramp steamer. And about
that time came the question of wheth-
err the Republic of Hawaii should re-
main neutral. Whether it should allow
the vessels of the United States and
those of Spain to come and coal upon
an equal footing. Whether they should
be treated alike? There was much dis
cussion More newspaper talk and
more street-corner arguments. 1t was
dainty morsel for the tongue.
Just about this time President Dole
and the American Minister, Mr.. Sewall.
took a ride around Diamond Head and
on their way they talked over the
neutrality situation. They discussed
the question of whether the Hawaiian
government was going to take sides or
remain neutral. Minister Sewall urged
upon President Dole the necessity and
ACCESSIBILITY of coming out with a state
ment Of the governments position. But
Mr.. Dole listened and said nothing. In
the meantime. there came out talk in the
papers that the Hawaiian government
ought to declare itself either one way
or the other. 1t was said that Presi-
dent Dole was scared. 1t was said that
the Hawaiian government was scared
and that IL did not know what to do.
Still Dole said nothing Then a mail
came from the United States and inn
mediately the government announced
that it would not remain neutral, but
that Hawaii would stand or fall with
its foster Uncle Sam. And notice was
given that American ships shall have
the same treatment in Hawaiian ports
as In home ports and that ships of
Spain viii be regarded as ships of the
enemy. Then it turned out that MIR.
Dole had had the farsightedness and
good judgment not to take his position
without first writing to the President
lof the United States to ascertain wheth-
'Eor such an attitude on the part of the
Hawaiian government would in any
way embarrass the United States. And
4this is WHAT. brought annexation The
fact was telkkraphed all over the Unit
ed States atsA the people felt that the
people of Hawaii We're willing to ex-
pose themselves to danger, while the
people of the United States, especially
in the central portions, We're exposed to
none. And there rose such n demand
from all over the country that Con-
gress had to act.
THE INSULAR POSSESSION DE-
CISION.
Now at the time that the islands
were annexed, the decision of the Su-
preme Court of the United States on
insular possessions had not been made.
Uncle Sam had not had any dusky
damsels on his hands up to that time.
So the arrangement was finally made
that the islands should come in and
become an integral part of the Union
as Territory with full privileges and
obligations. 1t was not considered that
a territorial form OF government. while
well enough suited to a sparsely inhab-
tied, half wild. unsettled community,
was hardly suitable to one with seven
ty-fve years OF history, civilization and
education. But some consideration