The morning call., 1893-02-16
ANOTHER STORY OF 1T.
The Commissioners Will Now Have
Some Work at Honolulu.


WASHINGTON, Feb. I5.-The President
sent his message to the Senate this after
noon, recommending the annexation of the
Hawaiian Islands to the United States. 1t
is accompanied by the treaty Of annexation
concluded between the Secretary Of State
and the Hawaiian commissioners and by a
mass OF correspondence relating to the
question at issue.
The treaty is brief. providing merely for
the annexation Of the islands under the
present Provisional Government. and leav-
ing the details Of a permanent form of
government for the action of Congress.
The correspondence is very voluminous,
going back many years, and gives CON-
plete history Of the islands so far as neg0tia-
tions with the United States are concerned.
Contrary to general expectation, the SEN
ate in executive session declined to make
the treaty public Immediately. but decided
first to have the message and documents
printed for the confidential information of
the Senators. The papers were accordingly
sent down to the Government Printing
Office to be put in type for confidential use,
with a probability that the seal of secrecy
will be removed tomorrow.
The message from the President and the
correspondence were received in executive
session with an attention such as no mes
sage from a President has been received in
recent years. There was no debate beyond
few questions directed TO the chairman of
the Foreign Relations Committee, but every
word was carefully weighed, and the mes
sage and treaty met with almost general
approval.
As before stated the treaty is a short
document and it follows closely the treaty
by which Alaska was acquired. 1t provides
for the complete annexation and contnu-
ance of the Provisional Government of the
Islands t Ill the United States Congress acts
and pro poses form of territorial govern
ment for the islands. The treaty leaves a
long bit of subsequent legislation to Con-
gress, including the sugar bounties. pen
siOns for the ex- Queen and Princess.
1t, however, conveys all the crown lands
and Government property TO the United
States. The Presidents message recites the
history Of the revolution and the request for
annexation, Minister Stevens action in
establishing a protectorate and the visit of
the Annexation Commission. and the con-
ferences which followed their arrival here.
1t IS stated that as soon as the treaty is
ratified the commission will take it to Hon.
oluln to be ratified by the Provisional Gov
ernment. Tie commissioners do not expect
any trouble. and although perhaps the treaty
is not everything they expected and hoped
for, II is satisfactory. and there Will be NO
trouble in having it ratified. This will have
to be done by the advisory committee or
the Provisional Government, of which
President Dole is a member. AS this CON-
mittee asked for annexation. 1t cannot help
but raify the treaty which will be pre-
sented to them.
The commissioners expect some friction
from some Of the old leaders in the late
Legislature because the treaty does not
provide for the full enjoyment of all the
benefits of citizenship TO Hawalians. Many
| thought annexation would mean the par
tici patton at Cnce in sugar h0unties and
other benefits of statehood, and when they
find cut that all this is yet TO be provided
for and Congress has vet to convene, it cam
not help but raise some opposition, and if
the treaty had 10 be submitted to the Legis-
lature instead or to the advisory commit
tee IF the Provisional Government the COM
missioners' work after they reached Homo
lulu would be far more difficult than it was
here. But, as Il IS, they expect 60 have the
treaty ratified at once and be back with il in
two months, and so, if there is an extra ses-
sion Of Congress, some legislation may be
enacted before the hot weather comes.
Castle, one of the Hawaiian commission
ers, said tonight that In the event Of the
| annexation Of Hawaii the wisest provision
for the ex-Queen and the Princess Kaiulani
would be an annuity. AS the Queen had
an income of about 100000 year from the
Government and from her own property,
and as she is thrifty woman. he thinks
that she mus. have saved money.