The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1893-03-03
TEXT OF THE TREATY.
THAT WILL ANNEX IA WAU
TO THE UNITED STATES.
The Presidents Message in Full.

WASHINGTON, Feb. l6.-The treaty
of annexation concluded between See.
rotary of State Foster and the conf
missioners OF the Provisional Govern.
nent of Hawaii was transmitted To
the Senate yesterday, but not made
public. The message OF the President
was as follows:
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
To the Senate: transmit herewith,
with view to its ratification, a treaty
OF annexation concluded on the l4th
day of February, 1898, between John
W. Foster, Secretary of State, who
was duly empowered to act in that
behalf on the part of the United.
States, and Lorrin \. Thurston, w.
K. Castle, w. {. Wilder, &. l.. Carter
and Joseph Marsden, the Commits.
sioners on the part of the Government
OF the Hawaiian Islands. The provi-
sional treaty, it will be observed, does
not attempt TO deal in detail with the
questions that grow out of the annex
alton of the Hawaiian Islam IS TO the
United States. The Commissioners
repre- senting the Hawaiian Govern
ment have consented to leave to the
future and to the just and benevolent
purposes of the United States the adj
justment of all such questions. l do
not deem ii necessary TO discuss at
length the conditions which have re-
suited in this decisive action. 1t has
been the policy of the Administration
not only TO respect, but to encourage
the continuance of an independent
IL. y
so long as it afforded suitable guar
antees for the protection of life and
property, and maintained a stability
and strength that gave adequate secu-
rity against the domination of any
other power. The moral support of
this Government has continually
manifested itself in the most
friendly diplomatic relations and in
many acts of courtesy of the Hawaiian
rulers. The overthrow of the mon
archy was not in any way promoted
by this government, but had Its origin
in what seems TO have been reaction
airy and revolutionary policy on the
part of Queen Liliuokalani, which put
in serious peril not only the large and
prepon6erating interests of the United
States in the islands, but all foreign
interests, and, indeed, the decent adj
ministration of civil affairs and the
peace of the islands. 1t is quite evil
dent that the monarchy has become
effete and the Queens government so
weak and inadequate as TO be the
prey of designing and INSCRIPTIONS
persons. The restoration of Queen
Liliuokalani to her throne is undesir-
able, if not impossible, and unless ac-
lively supported by the United States
would be accompanied by serious dis
aster and the Reorganization of all
business interests. The influence and
interest of the United States in the
islands must be increased and not di-
minished.
Only two courses are now open-one
the establishment os protectorate by
the United States, a. 4 the other an
nexation full and complete. l think
the latter course, which has been
adopted in the treaty, will be highly
promotive of the best interests of the
Hawaiian people and is the only one
that will adequately secure the inter-
ests of the United States. These in
terests are not wholly selfish. 1t is
essential that none of the other
great powers shall secure these
islands. Such a possession would
not consist with our safety and with
the peace of the world. This view of
the situation is so apparent and con-
elusive that no protest has been heard
from any government against pro-
ceedings looking to annexation.
Every foreign representative at Homo
lulu promptly acknowledged the Pro-
-visional Government, and / think
there is general concurrence in the
opinion that the deposed queen ought
not to be restored. Prompt action
upon this treaty is very desirable. If
it meets the approval of the Senate
peace and good order will be secured
in the islands under existing laws
until such time as Congress can pro-
vide by legislation permanent
form of government for the ISL
ands. This legislation should be,
and I do not doubt will be,
not only just to the natives and all
other residents and citizens of the
islands, but should be characterized
by great liberality and high regard
to the rights of all the people and of
all foreigners dOmiciled there. The
correspondence which accompanies
the treaty will put the Senate in pos
session of all the facts known to the
executive.
BENZ. HARRISON.
Executive Mansion, Washington,
February -, 1898.
In letter to the President laying
the treaty before him, Secretary of
State Foster recapituiates the history
of recent events on the islands leading
up to the revolution, the establish
ment of the Provisional Government,
the appearance of the Commissioners
in Washington, the negotiations that
have taken place, resulting in the
preparation of the treaty and the es-
Enlistment of the prOtectOrate by
Minister Stevens. Secretary Foster
confirms the Presidents statement
that the revolution was entirely I'M
expected, so far as this government
was concerned.
In conclusion he says that pending
the negotiations he received assur-
ances from representatives of the
leading powers of The world in this
city and from our own Ministers
abroad convincing him that the incor-
poration of the Hawaiian Islands into
the Union will be regarded by these
powers with satisfaction or ready ac-
quiescence.
Text of the Treaty.