States. Under these circumstances the logic of events required that annexation, heretofore offered, but declined, should in the ripeness of time come about as the natural result of the strengthening ties that bind us to those islands, and be recognized by the free will of the Hawaiian state."

Annexation being accomplished, certain improvements were deemed desirable; as, for example, the construction of barracks, the laying of a system of telegraphic cables connecting the islands, railways, and other public works. The laws in force in the islands at the time of annexation were to remain valid until superseded by new laws. Five commissioners were appointed by the president to visit the islands and lay before congress a plan for their government. The commissioners were S. M. Cullom and R. R. Hitt of Illinois, John T. Morgan of Alabama, and S. B. Dole and W. F. Frear of the Hawaiian islands, it having been stipulated in the annexation act that three of the commissioners should belong to the United States and two to the islands. Among other schemes it was suggested that the government of Hawaii should be similar to that of the District of Columbia, a ward of the United States, as it was thought that this system would escape the complications of a territorial government with modified suffrage. A simple territorial form, like Alaska and the others, was finally deemed best.

In a preamble to the resolutions of congress providing for annexation is given the offer of the Hawaiian republic to cede all of its sovereignty and absolute title to the government and crown lands. The cession was then accepted by resolution, and the islands declared annexed. The public debt of Hawaii, not to exceed $4,000,000 was assumed; Chinese immigration prohibited; and all treaties with other powers were declared null.

At the time of annexation the currency unit of value was the same as in the United States. The islanders made silver and paper money; their gold was all of American mintage. The Hawaiian silver money amounted to $1,000,000; total money in circulation $3,500,000; total revenue, 1896, $2,283.070; public debt, $4,101,174. The labor market was reported overstocked; wages about the same as in the United States, except for farm hands, which were lower. The islands import all the necessities of life which they use, except sugar, fruit.

and vegetables which they export. Imports $9,000,000; exports $16,000,000, nearly all of which business was done with the United States.

Upon the annexation fifty-five vessels, most of them engaged in the interisland trade changed registry. Twenty-four were steamers, four full-rigged ships, ten barks, and seventeen schooners. Most of the interisland transportation was performed by two companies with fifteen steamers. There were three railways, the Oahu; the Kahului railway on Maui island; and the Hawaiian, on the island of Hawaii.

In 1876 when the reciprocal treaty was made there were twenty-six planters producing annually 20,000,000 pounds of sugar; in 1896 the islands sent to the United States 350,000,000 pounds of sugar. The price in the United States was based on the cost of the product from Cuba, Brazil, and the Philippine islands, which paid a duty of two cents a pound. Upon the importation of 1896 this would be $7,000,000, which amount was saved to the planters of the Hawaiian islands by reason of the treaty. Hence we were open to grave doubts as to their sincerity when they professed opposition to annexation. So long as the wealthy sugar planters by spending their money could dominate a weak government, indicate the laws they would like made, and have things pretty much their own way they were content, well knowing that under United States government they would have fewer special advantages over others.

The effect of annexation on sugar was to increase the production of cane and limit the cultivation of the sugar beet; but some time would elapse before the new cane-fields attained a high state of cultivation. The economic oppression to which the newly acquired lands have so long been subject, gives assurance that with the removal of impediments industries of all kinds will greatly expand. As Hawaiian sugar was admitted free into the United States under a reciprocity treaty, the sugar interest opposed annexation, as the cane-fields of Hawaii would then remain permanently within the tariff regulations of the United States. The beet-sugar men desired both to defeat annexation and repeal the reciprocity treaty, that thus no more cane-sugar land might be brought into the union, and no more sugar be admitted free of duty,-a policy so selfish as to react on its advocates.

There were other issues however which might affect unfavorably the monopolists who were making rapid fortunes prior to annexation. If there were no duties on sugar, a tax might be imposed, and monopoly rendered less oppressive. Contract labor, such as rules in the islands, is contrary to the labor policy in the United States, and the sugar-growers affirmed that they could make no money without contract labor. Chinese and Japanese labor has been in good supply at $15 a month, the laborer to furnish his own food. These wages were sure to advance under the exclusion laws of the United States. The application of the coasting laws to the trade between Hawaiian and United States ports it was claimed by those interested would prove detrimental to shipping.

There was danger that the islands would be flooded with Japanese shortly after annexation, and measures were discussed to stop the influx. Anticipating annexation and labor compli cations, the planters obtained permits from the Hawaiian government to import 6,000 contract Japanese, but the enlargement of the sugar industry was so great that more laborers were required from some quarter. Complaints were made to the Chinese and Japanese consuls that their people were imposed upon and badly treated by the overseers, and a guarantee was required from the planter's association that these impositions should not continue.

Japan, following the lead of civilized nations usual in such cases, made a formal protest against the annexation of Hawaii by the United States, on the ground that the equilibrium of the Pacific powers would be disturbed, the rights of Japanese subjects in the islands imperilled, and payment of the Japanese debt delayed. Reply was made that the United States would assume no treaty obligations of the Hawaiian government, but had no intention of disturbing friendly relations, and did not believe that there was any thing in the treaty prejudicial to the rights of Japan. There were 25,000 Japanese in Hawaii having property rights and the privilege of citizenship; in case of annexation the former would be respected, but they could not become citizens of the United States, neither directly nor by way of Hawaiian annexation, being Asiatics and neither white nor black. Said the London Graphic, "Japan is likely to defeat her own ends by addressing a bellicose remonstrance to the United States on the subject of Hawaii. The policy

of annexation is not very popular in America, but any attempt at dictation will only be resented, and will strengthen the case for the annexationists by the suggestion of an eventual Japanese annexation."

The principal journal of Russia, the Novoe Vremya, also entered a non-official protest against annexation, upon the general principle that the power of the United States must be restricted; more likely, however, because by annexation Russia would lose the opportunity to secure Korea in exchange for assisting Japan to Hawaii. Great Britain however was benignant. When Mr Becket in the house of commons asked if this most important coaling station was to be allowed to pass to the United States without protest, Mr Curzon, parliamentary secretary for the foreign office replied that England's rights according to international law would be fully maintained, with which retort cavillers were obliged to be content.

Until recently Japan allowed none of her subjects to go to the Hawaiian islands except under labor contracts. Then was made a treaty with the Hawaiian government which gave unlimited admission to Japanese, and five lines of steamers were put on between Japan and Honolulu, each making monthly trips, and each steamer bringing to the islands from 200 to 800 Japanese. To check this avalanche, the Hawaiian government passed a law that no person might land without having fifty dollars in his possession.

During the insurrection of 1895 arrests of some 200 persons were made by the Hawaiian government, among them being Japanese, some of whom were kept in jail one or two months. For this the Japanese government wanted $200,000, but would take $75,000. Without admitting the justice of the claim, President McKinley preferred all such matters settled before annexation, and the Hawaiian cabinet ordered the money paid accordingly.

When on the 13th of July the steamer Coptic arrived at Honolulu with information that the islands were indeed part of the United States, the inhabitants broke forth in wild excitement. Men shouted until they were hoarse; steam whistles were turned on; bands played, guns boomed, fire works were set off, and flags and gay decorations covered the buildings. A silver cup was presented to the captain of the steamer for bringing the news.

CHAPTER XXIV

PHILIPPINE ARCHIPELAGO AND ASIATIC ISLES

IN 1559 the viceroy of New Spain was ordered by King Philip to send forth an expedition for the temporal and spiritual conquest of the Philippines, which was done. With Legaspi and his soldiers were sent "holy guides to unfurl and wave the banners of Christ in the remotest parts of those islands, and drive the devil from the tyrannical possession which he has held for so many ages, usurping to himself the adoration of those people". And Christianity after the Spanish fashion has reigned there ever since.

The conquest of Malacca, in the Golden Chersonese, by the Portuguese in 1511, gave knowledge of islands of spices which Antonio de Abreo sailed to see. After finding the Moluccas he returned and told Captain Fernan Andrada, who told Francisco Serrano, who visited the Spice islands and fought the pirates. All which coming to the ears of Magellan led to his discovery. After that King Philip, being advised by the viceroy of New Spain and the friar Andres de Urdaneta that the voyage to the Spice islands and Magellan's important discovery might be more easily than elsewhere made from the west side of New Spain, ordered equipped, as before mentioned, a fleet for the South sea, in the port of Navidad, the command of which was given to Miguel Lopez de Legazpi, a resident of New Spain, and native of Quipuzcoa. Sailing in 1564 with five ships and 500 men, Legazpi crossed the ocean and anchored at Cebu. After subduing this island for Spain, the Spaniards turned to Luzon, and entering Manila bay saw a town on the shore by a river, which was fortified and defended by a chief named Mora. Across the river was another town, whose chief was Matanda, also fortified by stockades and defended with bronze cannon. Taking possession May 9, 1571, Legazpi founded the town of Manila. The chiefs found there