The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1909-01-22

ness. That has ever since been the
motto of Hawaii. 1t was that pursuit
of righteousness very largely that led
the United States government in 1912
to make what might be called declara-
ton of neutrality respecting Hawaii. 1t
was that, too, very largely, that led
France and Great Britain to enter into
mutual agreement to respect the indie
pendence of Hawaii. If a nation desires
peace within itself and peace with
other nations, it must lay the founda-
ton in righteousness on its own part;
it must show that it has a real desire
for justice and real desire for peace.
Zone other thought, suggested by
the situation or location of Hawaii at
the center of the greatest of oceans.
She lies there, alone-the naval key,
the Gibraltar Of the North Pacific; the
commercial crossroads, the halfway sta
ton. It was long ago predicted that
that ocean would become the theater
nent commercial and political su-
premacy. Every nation upon its bord,
ers advancing by leaps and bounds
some with the vigor of first youth,
others with that of regeneration. 1t is
about to be made easily accessible by
/ the completion of the Panama Canal
on this side; on the other side, the larg-
| est of nations is already rubbing its
| eyes in its awakening, with ten-fold the
population of her neighbor, Japan. 1t
is obvious that if any people ought to
| be interested in the advocacy of peace
and the settlement of international
questions by peaceful methods, it is the
people of Hawaii, situated as they are
at what might naturally be considered
an international storm center. That is
to their material interests and / believe
the people of those islands generally
and genuinely desire that.
''But the United States is about to
expend over four millions of dollars in
the fertilization of those islands and
the establishment Of naval station
there. That will be only beginning
A great fleet has just gone to those
waters. What does it all mean? Is il
inconsistent with the desire for peace
It may seen foolishness to some-tC
others not; but it can hardly be doubt
ed that the object is peace. The point
of difference is as to the best method
of accomplishing that object. [ fol
one, and [ think the peace-ioving peo
pie of Hawaii in general also, believe
that the United States cannot with the
greatest wisdom continue to pursue tht
methods of former times. Conditions
, have changed. The United States ha
entered upon the arena OF world pol
tiles, and especially in the Far East
: 1t was one of the most illustrious feat
of her craftsmanship and diplomac,
that secured the territorial integrity O.
China and the open door. These seem
ingly warlike moves are not merely TO
) the protection of Hawaii. not merel,
, for the protection of the Pacific coast
: not merely for the protection of Amer
? lean commerce on the Pacific, not mere
: ~ that we may be prepared for war il
time of peace. but also that the Unite
2 States may be in a position to insur
/, peace among all in that storm area.
4 recent writer on the RussianJ apanes
Q war referred to what he called 9Th
irony of fate in clubbing that ocea
Y the Pacific Tt seems to me that
. is one of the offices-one of the grand
e est and most important offices-of tn
t United States, through respect eEger
e dered by her own extraordinary interns
n material and moral growth and respee
! ternal power, by her own efforts an
h by bringing about cooperation anon
h the powers to see to it that that ocea
: has been rightly named the Pacific; S
u that the coming contest upon it for con
e mercal and political supremacy may b
$ a peaceful one (Applause.)