New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-02-16
(BY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBUSE.1

ABLE-PRECEDENTS FOR ACQClSl'
TIoN OF FOREIGN TERRITORY.
(BY TELEGRAPH TO TRIBUSE.1
WASHINGTON Feb 15.-Presidcnt Harrison sens
10 the Senate to day for ratification the Hawaiian
treaty Of annexation, which was completed ana
signed this morning at the State Department.
Accompanying the convention was message
strongly recommending an acceptance OF the
treaty with mass OF diplomatic correspondents
showing the conditions which had led 10 tho
recent revolution in Hawaii and the request from
the Provisional Government there for absoip-
tiOn into the United States.
The Senate had been expecting tho arrival OK
the treaty and the Committee on Foreign Reia-
tions had already been furnished win copies VI
it for use at the regular Washington meeting. In
accordance with well established precedents now
ever. the treaty formally referred back 10
the committee, and ordered printed for the use
of the Senate thus delaying action upon IL Tor az
lolst n day 1t was President Ilarrisons wish
that the convention should be made pubic ths
afternoon, but as the 'eXt and correspondence hao
not vet heen submitted TO all the Senators III the
form of an Official Senate document II was thousho
better not to remove the injunction OF secrecy ut
once The treaty will meet with oppoStlon from
\ few Democratic Senators. but IT Is likely "
command the support Of tiree-fourths maJori'y
Of the Senate, and TO be ratified promptly ana en-
Enthusiastically. -
There was short discussion OF the provisions
If the treaty in the executive session this at'
,orroon but the talk was informal, inasmuch 40
on n sinQle objection the whole subject couid
have heen carried over TO the next secret seS'
sion The treaty itself is known TO be orlcfs
containing only four or five short articles Inc
main purpose of the negotators was to secure
the INCORPORATION of Hawaii into the Inlteo
States with as few conditional stipulatons a.
possible All the details of government, revenue
and administration were TO be left to be ar
ranged by Congressional legislation, the theory
of both sides being that once part OF tne
United States. Hawaii would be dealt with in
a spirit of justice and lbeIality BY Congress ana
the Executive.
PROVISIONS OF THE TREATY.
The pending convention provides. first OF all
fer termination Of Hawaiian sovereignty and au'
tonomy by annexation TO the United States Tho
present Provisional Government at Honolulu 10
to be continued in control of the islands Until
Congress passes such legislation as will he nec-
essary to establish permanent territorial gov.
crnment Of some sort Generous provision 10
made for the Queen and the heir-apparent 1t ID
understood that the Queen will receive by tho
treaty pension Of 100000 year, and gift
Of Sl50,00O outright is 10 be made 10 the
Princess.
1t is 20 be assumed that provision relat-
ing to suffrage and It's restriction is contained in
the convention When the commissioners first
arrived in Washington they stated emphaticaly
that the most important condition of annexation
on which they would insist some just and
proper restriction upon suffrage, If government
by suffrage 70 he established. lhe oomulis-
sioners have since frequently stated their views
Il ha and
importance OF a Qualification of popular repre-
sentaton for brief period in order that there
might ensue a proper rcadustment Of political re-
atiors in the islands II is understood that no
reference whatever is made in the treaty 10 sugar
bountlcs as all general questions of internal
administration are to be left tor future regular
ton by Congress.
THE COURSE OF PRECEDENTs FOLLOWED
In employing the treaty y-malling power pure ana
simple for the annexation Of Hawaii Presdeno
Harrison follows the course OF preceoents set In
all previous acquisitions OF territory ny mo
United STATES Louisiana. Florida and Alaska
were ali purchased undor treaties with foreign
Governments which parted with American colonies
for money consideration. In the case OF
Texas. a sovereign and Independent power like
Hawaii, a treaty Of annexation was also drawn,
but il was rejected by the senate and Texas
finally camc Into the CnioE, not by treaty at all,
Int irrecularly through an enabling act originat-
ing in tho house and passing both branches OK
Congress. Texas was admitted as State in con-
SEQUENCE and never had territorial form OK
government If the pending treaty is ratified lia-
waii following the course taken with Louisiana,
Florida and Alaska. will continue 10 he governed
rs q territory until il becomes entirely fitted for
Statehood.
II has always been something of a vexed Gues-
tion how far the treaty making power vested IN
thc President and the Senate can bind the House
of REPRESENTATIVES, when subsequent legislation
is asked 70 carry the treaty stipulation into effect.
Tle House Of Representatives has always been
disposed 70 consider itself free 10 make treaty
null by refusing to carry out the provisions 10
which tho Executive and the Senate are pledged.
I'm most cases. however, there has been no dlh'-
Guilty in securing tho consent of the House 10
legislation made absolutely imperative by treaties
Of uurchase like the Louisiana and Alaska ones
pr,sleut WASHINGTON took very radical view
of thc binding force on both branches Of Com
cross Of a treaty duly ratified. In special
massage on the Jay treaty March 3. 1896. he said
with respect TO the authority of the Senate IN
treaties
"Uavinr been a member of the general conven-
tion and knowing the principles upon which 'ne
Constitution was formed. have never entertained
but one opinion on this subject: ana from 'h0
first establishment of this Government to tnis
momcnt nv conduct has eXemplifed that opinlon:
That the power of making trea1ies Is exclusively
vested in the President. by and with the advice
and consent Of the Senate, provided two-thirds
of the Senator's present concur, ard that every
treaty 50 made and promulgated thenceforward
bec,me the law of the land. 1t Is thus that tho
,reatv-making power has been understood by
foreign nations, and in all the treaties made with
them we have declared and they have believed
that when ratified by the President. by and with
Tho advice and consent OF the Senate. they b.