ANNEXATION OF HAWAII.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCVIII, Issue 11334, 30 July 1897, Page 4

ANNEXATION OF HAWAII.

It seems from the cablegram we publish this morning, that, while the United States have been hesitating over the-annexation of Hawaii, Groat

Britain has quietly occupied a strong position in the Pacific, which will enable her to watch with equanimity the negotiations for the disposal of the islands. The .States are probably restrained by the fear of a rupture with Japan, and by the strong objection of many of their own people to any further addition to the territory of theEepublic. It is urged by a large body of influential Americans that the policy of the United States has always been opposed to the colonisation idea; that it is undesirable to annex lands at a great distance from the seat, of government; that the party which is in the minority in Hawaii has no right to cede the islands; and that to annex a country filled, as Hawaii is, with Japanese, Chinese,, Portuguese and Kanakas, . would ' deteriorate the citizenship of the United .States. The first two of these contentions are those that will parry most weight. The third, tlmt the appeal for annexation is unautboriaed, is scarcely sound. The Hawaiian constitution, promulgated in 1894, empowers the Government to make a treaty of political or commercial union with the United States, subject to the ratification of the Senate. The objection dealing with mixed races will have little weight in a country where aboriginal Indians, .... negroes and people of every European nation live on the whole harmoniously under one central Government. It is not at all clear that the treaty which has been prepared for the annexation of the islands, discloses any ground for interference by any outside Power. Japan is not mentioned, though China is, and there is no declared intention of stopping ' Japanese immigration. There is no treaty in force guaranteeing the independence of the islands, and no ground for, objecting to their inclusion in the American Republic. If - the United 'States should assume the responsibility of governing Hawaii " they will do so rather from sentimental mbtives than in any aggrandisingspirit,and perhaps from a conviction that if the islands should not be taken under the wing of a civilised Power they will fall into the hands of Japan. If Major M’Kinley had been fortunate enough to possess a Joseph Chamberlain in his Cabinet he would .probably have mustered up sufficient courage, long before this to appeal to Congress for the ratification of the treaty. Possibly the activity of Great Britain in the neighbourhood of the islands may encourage him to take some decisive action.