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1167

battle fleets with all their accessories is now too well known not to be seriously taken into account.

(7) The last military consideration that I have to note relates to the probable results of a war between ourselves and a greater naval power, with respect to our island colonies, coupled with our nonpreparation and nonpossession of a nearly equal naval force. The breaking out of hostilities would undoubtedly witness the attempt of a fleet of battle ships to wrest the islands from us and hold them by keeping the sea. This would ultimately be done by bringing a second or third fleet to reenforce the first if necessary, nor is the point sustained, which is sometimes advanced, that a great naval power would hesitate to weaken itself elsewhere in order to do this, especially when the result to be attained absolutely requires such action.

(8) In these days of great speeds, large coal radii, with cables and coaling stations, naval forces can quickly be massed, or moved from place to place, while the balance of power among the great nations nowadays in Europe is too precious and too carefully established to risk its disturbance simply to take advantage of each other.

(9) The true American policy with respect to Hawaii, from a military standpoint, would seem to be their neutralization by international treaty, so that all could come to coal and refit there; in all other respects, save perhaps the sentimental side, we have already all the advantages that can ever accrue to us by actual possession.

I am, dear sir, with great respect, your obedient servant,
E. S. HOUSTON,
Commander U. S. Navy, Commanding.

Hon. GEORGE GRAY, M. C.,

Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs, Washington, D. O.

WASHINGTON, D. C., Tuesday, February 13, 1894.

The subcommittee met pursuant to notice.

Present, the chairman (Senator Morgan) and Senators Sherman and Frye. Absent, Senators Butler and Gray.

SWORN STATEMENT OF Z. S. SPALDING-Continued.

The CHAIRMAN. You can make any statements in explanation of your deposition, which you have just examined, with a view to its correction, that you may think necessary to make more plain your meaning. Mr. SPALDING. I find upon examination of the stenographic report of my former statement that I may be misunderstood regarding my estimate of the capacity of the Hawaiian Islands for supporting a larger population than is now to be found in the country.

I would explain that I mean to convey the idea or opinion that the country is not and never can be a manufacturing or commercial country based upon its own products. It lacks in mineral resources everything required for manufacturing, and can hardly be said to have even agricultural advantages necessary to compete with more favored countries to the point of exporting enough to pay for what necessary imports would be required from abroad. Sugar, coffee, rice, and other staples

1169 In regard to the particular business you inquire about, viz, the sugar industry, I may say I found much to astonish me. cultivation are such as would have ruined the country long ago had The methods of there not been such an enormous amount of virgin soil to fall back upon. The yield of sugar cane does not average more than 25 tons per acre, and this cane (by their methods of treatment) does not average more than 2 tons of sugar. By the introduction of proper methods and more intelligent labor these averages might be nearly doubled.

I found no attempt at fertilizing the lands or improving the yield and quality of the sugar cane. the central factory," and the cane is all bought by weight (without The system in vogue is that known as regard to quality) and paid for in proportion to the price of sugar. The labor used is a combination or result of the changes that have been made in the country by the abolishing of slavery and the introduction of Chinese and others. The price for labor is very high during the few months of the year the factories or mills are at work, and during the "dead season growth of the sugar cane being left pretty much to the generous efforts (as it is called) there is little done, the of nature. With a population of 1,500,000 people they are able to produce less than 1,000,000 tons of sugar per annum, although one man's labor is generally considered quite sufficient to produce 10 tons.

With every natural advantage in its favor Cuba stands to-day almost on the brink of ruin. But few of its plantations are really remunerative; its mining industries are practically stopped; manufacturing is at a standstill, and its towns and cities almost without business. The administration of the Government is defective to extremes, and the lack of intelligence, lack of comfort, and even lack of cleanliness among the lower classes are all certainly in very great contrast to Hawaii.

If you ask my opinion as to why this is so, I answer, because of the "Americanism" which has been instilled into Hawaii, even to its lowest strata. And if this Americanism shall be allowed to grow and increase under the fostering influence of a close commercial and political union or relationship with the United States, Hawaii will make another star in the galaxy, not less bright, and repay tenfold the favors that have been lavished upon her.

That is why I am an "annexationist."

S. Doc. 231, pt 6-74

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Aid to United States steamer by authorities of Jamaica.
Amelia Island. (See Slaves.)

American nations, to promote progress and prosperity of.
Peace Society. (See Arbitration.)
seamen. (See Seamen.)

Annexation. (See Acquisition.)

Arbitration, international

Armed vessels, for the exclusion of foreign.......

(See Susquehanna.)

278

Arrest of William Walker in Nicaragua. (See Walker.)

Assistant Secretary of State, to create office of. (See State.)

B.

Belgium, minister to. (See Minister.)

Berlin, decree of. (See Decrees.)

C.

Canada, justifying the invasion of

China, relations with....

Claims against France. (See France.)

Colonization. (See Acquisition.)

Congo Free State, recognition of. (See Recognition.)

Consular system, to remodel the. (See Diplomatic.)
Consulate at Mogadore, for the establishment of a...

105, 107, 221

8

Cooper, Edward K., to allow occupation of guano islands by. (See Guano.)
Council, orders in. (See Orders.)

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15

276

28

199

32, 119, 120, 276

12

120

276

Florida, to enable the President to take possession of

11, 16

Foreign armed vessels, for the exclusion of. (See Armed.)

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