THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume IV, Issue 163, 18 February 1854, Page 10

THE SANDWICH ISLANDS.

Appeal of the King for Protection against the Designs of France. Private leuevc. of recentdate from Peru bring very important intelligence rs Q ncerning these islands. The independence of the young king1-, dotn is seriously threatened, andiirgent demands for assistance have been forwarded to Washington, asking protection against the impending dauger. The French Government have made demands upon that of Hawaii of an^xtortionate and totally inadmissable character, incompatible with the liberties of the nation. Perhaps, with a view of.taking possession of the whole Archipelago, these claims are to be supported by a squadron, consisting of two 60 gun ships and four other vessels of war, a fleet fully capable of seizing the islands and subverting the government, as was done with the Society group a few years ago. The infamous conduct of France towards the defenceless Queen Pomare, leads us to expect no better fate for the unfortunate King Kamehamela 111., unless the protection now so urgently asked is extended by our government or by that of Great Britain. A people so recently emerged from barbarism, now struggling into civilization and labouring to sustain an independence, should be supported and protected by all civilized nations. To the United States the appeal comes with a double force, for to this country the Hawaian government owes its existence and its subjects their civilization, while the possession of those is- ! lands, flunking as they do the coast of California and Oregon, furnishes the key to our Pacific seaboard. . Like Cuba, so long as they remain subject to their present proprietors, acquisition can only be attended with danger to ourselves; but like Cuba again, they must never fall into the hands of any great naval power which can control iliera to ouv injury. The designs oi' France upon the Sandwich Islands have been pursued insiduously, but steadily, for many years. Their relative importance has rendered*it Impolitic and impracticable for her to proceed, wilh the snrae open disregard to the principles of justice «n<i the rules of-international law, that stamps with opprolivium her recent acquisition in the Pacific The Society Islands had not the good fortune to be recognized.as a part of the family of nations and something of the audacity which originated the idea of " possession by right of discovery," was all that was needed to transfer that title to its modern synonym—possession by right of convenience. But 'the Sandwich Islands have a stronger claim than that of unavailing pity on the sympathies of the world. They are.an organized and recognized govern-

tnent. The Hawaian kingdom is an integral member of the political family. Her geographical position and her internal progress have made her such, and she cannot be extinguished without deranging1, in some degree, the existing relations of States. Hence the cautious manner with which the measure, now threatening a speedy consummation, has been approached by France. For years have frivolous pretexts been found for presenting exorbitant claims against the government of the Islands, and every concession made with the hope of peace has been followed by yet more insolent demands. The latest movement is one calculated to produce alarm from various causes. The occupation of the islands by France must be repelled, at whatever risk, by the United States. The reasons of this necessity are obvious at a glance on the map, and the prevailing tone of the French Emperor is not indicative of peace. ' The nephew of his uncle' can hardly hope to retain a throne won by the magic of a name, without doing something to prove himself, in the estimation of his new found subjects, worthy of that name. That war in some direction must shortly succeed upon his coronation seems to us inevitable; and two powers diametrically opposed in every respect except in the degree with which they are disliked by the present government of France, appear most likely, one or both, to be the chosen objects of the new crusade. .Republican Fiance would rejoice once more to pour across the plains of Lombardy, under the banner of a Napoleon, to re-enact at Loci, Marengo, and Austerlitz, the ruin of the Austrian. Imperial France would gladly make herself the champion of despotism for the chance of humbling the pride of free America. Both elements would rush blindly to conflict with any power, thoughtless of principles and reckless of results, under the maddening shout of ILo gloire et la victoire' How far the declaration, made on the Ist of February by the new French minister at Homolulu, that ' France entertains no ambitious designs against the islands,' is calculated to allay the fears of the nation, depends upon the position which that functionary may assume with regard to the claims he has sent to enforce. Upon this point nothing has yet been made public.— New York Herald.