Ka Leo o ka Lahui, Volume II, Number 284, 21 September 1891 — ECHOES. [ARTICLE]

ECHOES.

The despatches from WashiDgr.on indicating that the State and v ' avy Departments are becoming alarmed at the rumors u that the < , ■■■■■, £ijglish are getting a strong footliold on the Hawaiian Islands and that the new Queen is partial to ihe English" are very entertaining. *The rumors are undoubtedly the work of some intercstēd politician, but we believe they are groundless . apnlied to the- present condition •of things. We are aware that ceriain of the English ladies and jrentlemen resident in Honolulu entertain a harmless conceit that <;onstitute the creme de la crcme of *society; vūlgar Americans and tinged Hawaiians are looked down npon, by them, as insignificant, in imitation of their own insignifi<?ance wben they go back to visit their own eountry; they <lo in fact forfn a clique that apes all the eonTentionalities of polite society and through indifference are allowed.ihe leadership in such matters. But they are regarded with amusement by the intelligent and unconventional Hawaiian. American, German, and no importance is ati»ched to the fact that the Queen humors them in their social eoni oeit. It is true that in the former reigrt, the English did take a walking stick and make some long-leg-ged strides into our political ajffairs; that one ujinister was their nominee, tool and protege, as well &lso two successive clerksof the Foreign Oflsce; but the times are changed and we are not aware that any British inAuenee predominates at present. But if we cast a glance into the future, there are contingencies that portend a strong British influence that will overshadow both Hawaiian and Americans. A certain wedding that brought an allianee between a certain prominent British and certain royalties will makv? that oerta'n British family the pōwer behind the throne 5n a future rep;imo. We c;m ans\ver for the native Hii;< us that whatever foreign syi !.]);»tU)i - -they may h?ive are mainly fo;vard An>erioa. The majorit v of p'ople in llawaii nei are ■ iiiteli-gent to U]Uierstand tiiat the United States being at prtsent' he most n.itural market for 01 r pm ue muet !>♦- rur fnends poiitical aod c<»mnjercial)y.and that natic nal |ireju(lietp c;fnnot w<-ll altcr the natural currents and ehnn we's of tr; des and commerce. We ..feel aesure<l that. ifa voto ofthe peo; were taken from a busine?s jftnd sentimental standpoint as beiweea Britain ar.d Araerica, tbe

.result would be overwhelmingly in. favor of Ameriea. But while recognizing the neeessity for intimate relations with the United States, our statesmen must also reniember oor cosmopp}itan keep in an independent position to maintain cordial re.lations, with England an3 such other coiintries whose commercial and naval vessels visit our ports. The channels' of commerce may change, or our diversified products may find wider markets, and therefore our hands' should be free. ; V