Show HAWAIIAN annexation tomorrow wednesday the question of annexing the hawaiian islands is to b be voted upon by the house of re representatives by that time the arguments for and against will have been stated with all the force and eloquence at tife the command of the opposing sides the opinions are still divided although late events have caused many opponents of annexation to change their views on the question one of the chief arguments advanced against the proposition to gather the sandwich islands in under the protecting wings of the american eagle to is the expense it would involve it is sald said that the united states would have to maintain an enormous navy in order to protect the group from foreign attacks the reply to this reasoning is obvious however the present war has demonstrated that no naval navai power has any chance of success vo fo far away from coal supplies that the vessels cannot easily be re coaled were the hawaiian islands american territory that fact would prevent other powers with unfriendly intentions from using the group as a basis of supplies and consequently from executing any hostile plans against the pacific coast while it might cost a considerable sum to guard and defend an outpost of this kind it is a question whether it would not be cheaper to meet an eventual enemy there than to await his arrival on our own coast in a war with a strong naval power hawaii would undoubtedly remain neutral but upon the united states the duty would devolve to defend that neutrality anyhow and the expenses would woud not be lessened by the fact that the little republic has a government independent of washington in favor of annexation it has been urged with much force that hawaii boldly proclaimed her friendliness to the united states at a time when it might have been considered uncertain whether such a step would cost her her independence had dewey failed at manila and the spanish squadron there gained the would in all probability have suffered reprisals then when it became necessary to send reinforcements to the heroes of the philippines it was found necessary have a stopping place midway and therefore the charleston and the pekin we ato honolulu where they received a cordial and enthusiastic welcome these facts are taken to fo demonstrate the great value of the hawaiian islands to the united states and public senthi sentiment nent in this country now is such that a vote for annexation pon would meet with much approval |