Evening star., 1948-08-08
Annexed 50Years Aqo
Next Thursday, Hawaii
Still Awaits Statehood
North American Newspaper AIIioncs

August IL, 1898, saw America S
frontier extended 2,4oo miles into
the Pacific and brought under
United States control one of the
most strategic and colorful spots on
the globe.
Although annexation sentiment
had been strong in the islands for
many years due to increasing
American influence, the signal for
the change came in 1893. In that
year the intelligent but strong
willed Queen Liliuokalani was de-
posed and a provisional government
was set up under Sanford B. Dole
The new government sent ennis
saries to Washington to confer with
President Harrison, and treaty OF
annexation was sent to the Senate
Treaty Withdrawn.
Before action was taken, however
President Cleveland came to power
Fe withdrew the treaty pending an
investigation of the circumstances
Of Queen Liliuokalani's overthrow
The President concluded that the
revolution had been fostered by
the American Minister in Honolulu
He offered to use his influence tC
secure her restoration If she would
grant full pardon to those who
took part in the rebellion.
Mr.. Dole's government refused to
surrender its authority. The re-
public of Hawaii was proclaimed on
July 4, 1894. Promonarchical forces
plotted to overthrow the republic
using arms and ammunition brought
in from San Francisco, but were
thwarted
When President Cleveland's term
ended and President Mckinley en-
tered the White House, the islands
made a new effort to be brought
under the American flag. The
Hawaiian Senate ratified an an
nexation treaty in September, 1897
and it was adopted by Joint resolu-
ton of Congress on July 8, 1898
President Mckinley signed it the
next dav, and the formal anneXa-
ton was marked the following
month in Honolulu.
Dole First Governor.
In 1900, Congress passed the
Organic Act. giving Hawaii the
territorial form of government II
now has. Mr.. Dole was appointed
the first governor.
American influence in the Islands
dated back to the arrival Of the
first New England missionaries IN
1920. They not only Christianlzeo
the islands but played an increas-
inglv important part in the govern
ment. Many of them held high Of
fees under the monarchy.
Because of its commanding posi-
ton as the crossroads of the Pa
cilc." Hawaii had been eyed en-
viously by most of the leading pow
er5 since its discovery by Capt. Jane
Cook of Britain's Royal Navy in 1770
In 1843, an impetuous younE
British naval officer, claiming Brit
ish lives and property were en-
dangered, forced King Kamehamehs
III to cede the islands and the
Union Jack was raised. Five month!
later Rear Admiral Richard Thomas
commander of British naval force
in the Pacific. arrived in HAWAII
disavowed the act. and had the
Hawaiian flag raised again. Thoma!
Square in Honolulu is named II
his honor.
Russians Built Two Forts.
Six wears later, the French, or
the pretext of treaty violation
sent a warship to Hawaii and oc
cupied Honolulu for about 10 days
After conferences in which th'
treaty was annulled, the French
withdrew
The Hawaiians had their trouble
with the Russians, too. In 1916 al
agent for a Russian trading com
pany ingratited himself with th'
King of one of the smaller islands
and ultimately two Russian fort:
were established in Hawaii. TIL
traders were later forced to flee be-
cause of their highhanded methods
The ruins of the forts still are II
evidence.
Strong annexation feeling devel
oped on the West Coast following
the '49 gold rush and the growth O
trade between Hawaii and Cali
fornia
In 1854 King Kamehameha III
because of this sentiment and thu
fear of foreign interference, Offered
to cede the islands to the Unltet
States in exchange for statehood
The king died before any action wa
taken.
Retail Trade of Billion.
HaWaii's development since an
nexation has been rapid. In 1900
the population of the eight inhab'
tied islands totaled $4,000. Today
it is over ,000-a5 per cent ol
them American citizens.
Honolulu has grown from a small
and relatively isolated port OF cal
to thriving and typically Ameri'
can city the size of Portland. Greg
Daily air service puts it as close II
San Francisco as Is Chicago.
Hawaii has a gross retail trade OF
over sl000.000,000 annually. Hel
trade with the mainland totals more
than s500.0O0,O00 yearly. Before the
war Hawaii was the fifth best Gus
toner of the continental Unltec
States.
Hawaii's sugar industry produces
one out of ever seven pounds Of
SUGAR consumed in the Unltec
States. Scientific agriculture ha'
Increased the average yield per acre
from about 80 tons to more than 10
Production exceeds $50, 900 tons. Tht
plantation employees are the higheS'
paio agricultural workers IN tht
world on a year-round basis.
Top Pineapple Producer.
Hawaii's pineapple industry, II
the so years Of its existence. ha'
developed the island into the world (
largest producer of canned pine
apple. A total of 100000 case!
20 out each year from the terri
tory's nine canneries,
Having reached the semicenten'
NAL of annexation. the Hawaiian
are now looking toward their mex
goal: Statehood. They are plan
ming to push their campaign in th'