The Washington herald., 1919-04-20
HAWAII SENDS
CABLE TO U. S.
ASKING LIBERTY
Island Legislature S Message
Received at War Depart
ment-Other Claims.
OTHER ISLANDS In PLEA
Porto Rico and Philippines
Also Want Self Govern
ment Grant.
The War Department, In

The War Department. in a con-
ndential and lengthy cablegram
from Hawaii. yesterday. was in
formed of the expressed desire in
the two houses of the islands. leg
islature for independence. The plan,
il was learned. is to make an ap-
peal in Washington along the same
lines as that presented several
weeks ago by q native delegation
from the Philippines
Hawaii's request for freedom Is
ths third movement among the
"eolonies' of the United States to-
ward self-government The Fill
ptro delegates are now in this coun-
try. working UP sympathy for their
cause. and having the sanction OF
the administration in their cam
paign. The speech of Joseph G.
Cannon. former speaker of the
House of Representatives, who at
san Juan Thursday night. depre-
Gated the idea of independence for
Porto Rico at this time. was re-
ceived as an indication OF how the
Porto Ricans feel on the subject.
Mr.. Cannon's speech aroused indig-
ne
independence was out of the ques-
ton
Other Nations Interested.
Should the demand Of the posses
sions for independence be granted
the island colonies. the world will see
the unusual spectacle of a mother
country bidding farewell to her
adopted children only after she had
given them every protection to safe
guard their independence. Many na-
tions. notably Great Britain, are in
tensely interested in this experiment
{ of freedom, wherein the United States
would release from all bounds coun-
tries which are deemed of the great
est strategic Importance to her own
protection.
Such action. il is reckoned, would
be the greatest boon possible for Ire
land IL her struggle to release herself
from the British yoke, as the English
all along have maintained the relin-
quishment Of Ireland would leave de-
fenseiess their entire west coast.
The Philippines. Porto Rico and Ha-
wall are acknowledge to be three of
the strongest fortified positions in the
world. and this claim to fame is the
result solely of American industry
If independence is granted them they
will be able to step out in the new
freedom with a bulwark Of bristling
armament behind them.
Tine islands of Corregidor and Ell
Fralu, in the Philippine archipelago.
are conceded to Re among the might
est fOrtihcationS of the present day.
Between SlO.t0o.000 and 81, 90, Geo have
been expended by the American people
TO render them impTegnable. The Ha-
waiian group. II not exceeding the
Philippines in strength. is its equal.
Known as the key TO the Pacific
these islands-the first shore ap-
prOach to the western coast of the
United States-have been fitted out
with splendid fortiflcations. and the
government maintains a base there
for the Pacific fleet.
Porto Rico likewise Is a great naval
base. sharing with the Virgin Islands.
the honors of harboring our great At
lantic fleet. Independence for these
possessions. it is deemed. would de-
strov the last claim of the British to
fOrcibiy rule the Irish. and the wor1c
would he given another visible evi-
dence that the United States oufs
dream as an empire builder wa
peaceful. constructive progress within
her own borders.