The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-02-17
Conditions Of the Annexation OF the
Sandwich Islands to the
United States.
Present Order of Affairs to Prevail
Until Otherwise Provided
by Congress.
Reasons for Annexation ~ Given In tho
presidents Letter Transmitting tho
Treaty to COngress.

provisional governments of Hawaii was
transmitted to the senate Yesterday. but
was not made public. The president in his
message, says the provisional treaty does
not attempt to deal in detail with ques-
tions growing ont OF annexation. The
Hawaiian commissioners have consented to
leave to the future and to the just and
benevolent purposes of the United States
the adjustment Of all such questions. The
president says ii has been the policy Of the
administration not only to respect but on
courage the ooatinuancs of the independent
government of the Hawaiian islands as long
az it afforded suitable guarantee for the
protection of life and property. and main
tanned stability and strength that gave
adequate security against tho domination
of any other power.
The overthrow of the monarchy was not
in any way promoted by this government
but had its origin in what seems to have
been a reactionary and revolutionary pol
10y on the part of Queen I4ilioukalani,
which put in serious peril not only the
large and prspondefating interests of the
United States in the islands, bus all foreign
interests, and indeed the decent admins
islands. 1t quite evident that the mon
aschy had become effete and the govern
rnant was so weak and inadequate as to be
the prey of designing and interruptions
persons. The restoration of the queen to
the throne is undesirable. if not impossible,
and unless actively supported by the United
States would be accompanied BY serious
disaster and disorganizatlon of all business
interests. The influence and interests of
the United States in the islands must be
increased, and not diminished. Only two
courses are now open,-one the establish
ment OF q pretectorate by the United
States and the other annexation full and
complete. The president thinks the latter
course. which has BEEN adopted in the
treaty. will he highly promotive of the
interests OF the Hawaiian people and the
only one that will adequately secure the
interests of the United States.
These interests are not wholly selfish. II
is easential that none Of the other great
powers secure these islands. Such possess
sion would not consist with our safety and
the reace of the world. This view of the
situation 10 SO apparent and conoluslve that
no protest has been heard from any govern
ment against the proceedings looking to
annexation. Every foreign representative
at Honolulu promptly acknowledged the
provisional government. land l think"
says the president. there is general con-
currence in the opinion that the deposed
queen ought not to be restored"
Prompt action upon the treaty is very de-
sirable. II it meets the approval of the
Gsnats,a peace and good order will be Sc
curedl in the islands under existing laws
until such time as congress can provide by
legislation a permanent form OF govern
ment for the islands. This legislation
should be not only just to natives and all
other residents and citizens of the islands,
atty and high regard 70 the rights of all
people and all foreigners domiciled
there The preamble to the treaty
declares that the government of the
Unitsd States and the provisional govern
ment of Hawaii, in view of the natural de-
pendsnce of those islands upon the United
Stntes, their geographical proximity, the
intimate part taken by citizens OF the
United States in implanting the seed of
Christian civilization; OF the long continu-
ance of exclusive reciprocal commercial re-
lations whereby mutual interests have been
developed; of the preponderant and para
mount share thus acquired by the United
! States in the productions, industries ana
trade of said islands, and especially in
view OF tho desire expressed by said gov
ernment of Hawaii that those islands shall
be incorporated into the United States as
hu lubeRTal paEt tneEeOI ana unuer tnelf
sovereignty, In order to provide for and as
suro the security and prosperity of said
islands. the high contracting psrties have
determined to accomplish by treaty tho OBJ
iect 80 important to their permanent VOL
fare. and to this end have conferred full
power upon their respective plsnipotsn-
tiaries. who have agreed upon this treaty.
lu article one the government OF Hawaii
cedes from the date of ratitications to the
United states absolutely ull rights OF sov-
erelGnty whatsoever over the Hawaiian
islands and their dependencies. each island
hencefo,th to be an integral part of the
United States.
In the second article the Hnwaiian gov
ernment also transfers to the United States
the absolute fee and ownership of public,
government or crown lands public build
ings. port harbors, fortitications. military
or naval equipments. and all other public
property OF every description. Tho exist
ing laws of the United States relative to
public lands shall not apply to such lands
in tho Hawaiian islands, but congress shall
enact special laws for their management
and dispositions; provided, that all revenue
from tho same, except such part as may be
used or occupied for civil, military or naval
purposes of tho United States. or may be
assigned TO the use of the local government,
shal. be used solely for the benefit OF the
inhabitants of the Hawaiian islands for
educational and other public purposes.
Article three continues until congress
shall otherwise provide the existing govern
ment, and Hawaiian laws are continued
subject to tho paramount authority of the
United States. The president shall ap-
point Q commissioner to reside in the
islands. who shall have power to veto any
act OF said government, and such not shall
be void unless approved by the president
Congress shall, within ono Year from the
ratification of tho treaty. enact the
necessary legislation to extend to the
Hawaiian islands the laws of the United
Statss respecting duty upon imports. inter
nal revenue. commerce and navigation;
but until congress shall otherwise provide.
eXiatinR commercial relations of the
Hawaiian Islands, both with the United
States and foreign countries, shall continue
as regards commerce with tho rost of the
United States and foreign countrieA This
10 not to DO conss, ued NJ giving the islands
power to enter into amy new stipulation or
agreements. or have diplomatic intercourse
with any foreign government. Consular
representatives of foreign governments now
in Hawaii shall be permitted to continue
i'll the exercise of their functions until they
receive sxsQuaturs from the government of
tho United States.
Article four prohibits the further immi-
grafton of Chinese laborers into the
Hawaiian islands until congress- shall
otherwise provide. Furthermore, Chinese