The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1893-02-24
HE FAVORS ANNEXATION.


upon The annexation of the Hawaii
Islands, has been made public, and is
one OF the most important state
papers of his administration. The
treaty which has been concluded be-
tween. Secretary Foster and the com
mission from Hawaii provides for the
cess:on of all rights of sovereignty
over the islands, all public buildings
and property to the United States.
Revenue from public lands, except
such as are reserved for government
purposes, to be used solely for the
benefit of the people of the islands.
Until congress provides otherwise the
existing government and laws of the
Hawaiian islands are continued, sub
ject to the paramount authority of
the United States. A resident COM
missioner is to be appointed who shall
have power to veto any act of said
government. Until congress enacts
the necessary legislation existing COM
mercial relations Of the Hawaiian
islands, both with the United States
and foreign governments, will con-
tinue. Further immigration into
the islands is prohibited, and Chinese
now in the islands shall not be per-
mitted to come into the present ter
ritory of the United States. The
public debt of the islands is now as
sumed by the United States, to the
extent of SO, 25O,O00
In his message the president points
out the necessity for immediate &C.
tion upon the treaty, leaving all de-
tails as to government and other min
or matters for future legislation by
congress. He states that the policy
of his administration has been to en-
courage independent government
upon the islands so long as it afforded
suitable guarantee to the protection
of life and property, and that the
change there was not in any manner
prompted by our government. OF the
two courses now open for the United
States to pursue, that of establishing
a pTotectOrate, or annexation, he
thinles the latter far preferable, and
willssa1norc highlg promotive OF the
best interests of the Hawaiian people,
and that it is also the only one which
will adequately secure the interests
of the United States. He further
holds that it is very essential that
none of the other great powers OF the
earth get possession Of these islands,
as such possession would not add to
our safety nor to the peace of the
world, and urges that il is very de-
sirable that prompt action be taken
upon the opportunity which has come
to US, and that it be not complicated
by minor considerations.
The president has met the question
in prompt and able manner, though
in no particular has there been undue
haste displayed The whole matter
is now before congress and the cOun-
Try Tor final action. The provisional
government, with whose representa-
tiyes this treaty has been arranged,
has everywhere been recognized as
the de facto governments that there
is no obstruction in this direction.
Annexation seems to be the only
step, and it is said that more than
two-tbirds Of the senate is in favor Of
such course. 1t would seem then to
be wise move to take what is freely
offered, and what seems to be the set
tied opinion this country needs for its
future protection, before any intrigues
which might be entered into by other
governments can be made effective.
To all outward appearances they are
satisfied with such disposition of the
islands. in fact the great powers hay
ing divided up the islands Of the
Pacific ocean to suit themselves, can
not Justly complain if the United
States concludes to take Hawaii.