The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1907-05-28

we come here to make a similar report
/ for the protection of the United States
| Of America. (Applause) And I thinl
| that it is safe to say that not only tht
visiting delegation, but the entire Con
gress Of the United States underesti-
mates the Importance Of these islands
as defensive point TO he coast Of the
! United States. 1t has been stated thai
! it is straregically the most unique place
in the world, in that no foreign vessel
! in time of war can reach the west
coast of the United States across the
Pacific unless they can touch these
Islands for coal and refitting. It is
impossible to reach any other port
of American soil without passing this
great Strategical point. 1t may be
possible for vessels to pass other stra-
tegie points, but it is impossible for a
hostile fleet to pass across this ocean
unless it is possible for her to refit and
coal here in the Hawaiian Islands.
My associates have been unanimous
in their desire to establish here forti-
come great naval base. / have read
the statement of Admiral Very that the
position of these islands is of the ut
most Importance to the United States
from a military standpoint; that no
hostile power could attack the Pacific
Coast of the United States unless they
can stop here, and that it would be
easier to defend the Pacific Coast by
the possession of these islands than it
would be without the possession of
these islands.
1T may be that, perhaps, the work
of the fortifications on the islands does
not proceed rapidly. Some of my as
sociates on the committee who are
more active and more .youtheM than
we, are not so enthusiastic as We may
be on this question. 1 wish to say
that there is no difference in the I'M
derstanding to establish the fortifica-
tions here and that we are trying TO
establish the work of terrifying these
islands as rapidly as possible. Cap
plause.) There is sometimes differ
ence of opinion as TO the amount of
money that can be expended. In that
respect members will always differ. But
my experience in Congress is that Con-
gress is appropriating just as rapidly
as the War Department has been able
to use the money. (Applause.) All
Of the sites that it has been possible
to acquire have been acquired. The
design of the guns, and the scheme for
the placing of the guns are being work
ed upon by the War Department, and
just as promptly as they assure US they
are ready I am sure that Congress will
appropriate the money to make those
necessary improvements (Applause)
THAT the islands have been neglect
ed is not so, because it can be stated
that Congress has appropriated at the
rate of three to one, for the fortifica-
lions of these islands, as much as it
has for the fortifcations of the At
lantic and Pacific coasts. It is twenty
years since the Notifications of the
mainland were initiated, and it is es-
timated that only about two-thirds OF
the work has been accomplished. The
Notifications of these islands will cost
over three millions of dollars.
RESPONSIBILITY ON THE PLANT
ERS.
but guns alone will not fortify the
islands. Implements and sites and
money are not sufficient to make these
islands valuable, from a military
is necessary is a patriotic and loya
citizenship here within the islands.
don't wish to say that you should be
ashamed of your citizenship, or thai
you are not loyal and patriotic peo-
pie But / have been impressed with
one of your situations, and that is the
tremendous responsibility that rests
upon the men of wealth in these is
lands, particularly the men whose
wealth consists of great estates, own
ed as individuals or by corporate hold
ings A responsibility rests upon them
TO make the possibility of a decent and
loyal people in these islands. Every
man that is capable of becoming an
American citizen ought to have a home
and should be given an opportunity to
own a portion of land The Federal
Government can do certain things, but
it can not solve these local problems of
which the people here have absolute
control | have heard that there is a
great desire here to.have great num-
Der of small farmers; to bring here a
great number of American citizens from
the mainland in order to make a sound
citizenship in these islands. But you
can not succeed in bringing people here
when it is possible to import more food
matter from the Pacific Coast than
you are able to dispose of island prod
ucts between the islands. There is a
grave question confronting you, and on
you rests the determination of this
great problem.
Gentlemen, I can not promise you
anything. but I can express to you the
deep gratitude for which I am indebted
to the people of this Territory for their
entertainment while [ have been with
the Congressional party, and am sure
that my visit will be to my advantage
in dealing with matters pertaining to
Hawaii that may arise in Congress.
The toast Hawaiian Harbors," was
RESPONDED to by the Honorable James
II Davidson of Wisconsin, who said;
Il would like to say few words OF
what may be called our visit to the
islands But it is impossible fer me
to say what I feel of the welcome
have received at your hands
s'I came here principally to consider
the condition of your harbors, and /
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