[The origin of the ensuing article was as follows: At the time of
the Revolution in Hawaii, at the beginning of 1893, the author
addressed to the "New York Times" a letter, which appeared in the
issue of January 31. This, falling under the eye of the Editor of
the "Forum," suggested to him to ask an article upon the general
military--or naval--value of the Hawaiian group. The letter
alluded to ran thus:--
_To the Editor of the "New York Times"_:--
There is one aspect of the recent revolution in Hawaii which seems
to have been kept out of sight, and that is the relation of the
islands, not merely to our own and to European countries, but to
China. How vitally important that may become in the future is
evident from the great number of Chinese, relatively to the whole
population, now settled in the islands.
It is a question for the whole civilized world and not for the
United States only, whether the Sandwich Islands, with their
geographical and military importance, unrivalled by that of any
other position in the North Pacific, shall in the future be an
outpost of European civilization, or of the comparative barbarism
of China. It is sufficiently known, but not, perhaps, generally
noted in our country, that many military men abroad, familiar with
Eastern conditions and character, look with apprehension toward
the day when the vast mass of China--now inert--may yield to one
of those impulses which have in past ages buried civilization
under a wave of barbaric invasion. The great armies of Europe,
whose existence is so frequently deplored, may be providentially
intended as a barrier to that great movement, if it come.
Certainly, while China remains as she is, nothing more disastrous
for the future of the world can be imagined than that general
disarmament of Europe which is the Utopian dream of some
philanthropists.
China, however, may burst her barriers eastward as well as
westward, toward the Pacific as well as toward the European
Continent. In such a movement it would be impossible to exaggerate
the momentous issues dependent upon a firm hold of the Sandwich
Islands by a great, civilized, maritime power. By its nearness to
the scene, and by the determined animosity to the Chinese movement
which close contact seems to inspire, our own country, with its
Pacific coast, is naturally indicated as the proper guardian for
this most important position. To hold it, however, whether in the
supposed case or in war with a European state, implies a great
extension of our naval power. Are we ready to undertake this?
A.T. MAHAN, _Captain, United States Navy_.