They formed a government, and after many troubles asked the United States
to take possession of the Hawaiian Islands, and, in return, to pay over
$3,000,000 of debts which Hawaii had contracted, and a yearly income of
$20,000 to the deposed queen, and also a lump sum of $150,000 to her
daughter, Princess Kaulani.

Mr. Cleveland, who was President, opposed the idea of taking possession of
the islands, and endeavored to restore Queen Liliuokalani to her throne.

His efforts were not successful. The Hawaiians would not have her back,
and having had time to establish a government for themselves, they felt as
if they could do without the United States as well as their dark-skinned
Queen. So the question of annexing the islands fell through.

Now it is before us again with greater force than before.

It is evident that if we don't want Hawaii, Japan does, and the time is
drawing near when some decided step must be taken.

The Japanese plan for securing Hawaii seems to be similar to the English
plan for getting possession of the Transvaal.

It seems to be their idea to fill the islands with Japanese, until the
number of Asiatics is far greater than that of the Hawaiians. Then they
will demand a voice in the government, and when once they have secured
that, it will be only a question of time when they will have the
government of the islands under their control.

The people of Hawaii became suspicious of this plot when they found that