Fisherman & farmer. [volume] (Edenton, N.C.) 1887-19??, 1893-03-03
THE ANNEXATION TREATY,
Terms Under Which the United
States Accepts Hawaii.
The Presidents Message Recon-
mending It's Ratification.

hitting to the United states SeneOe 'no
treaty of annexation with Hawaii, is just
made public and is as follows.
To the Senate:
Transmit herewith, with a view to It's
ratification, a treaty OF annexation con-
cluded on the 14th day of February, 1873.
between John W. Foster, Secretary or
State, who was duly empowered to act In
that behalf on the part OF the 0ulSed S1sGsS'
and Lorrin A. Thurston. W. r. Castle, w.
C.. Wilder, G. L. Carter and Joseph Mars
den the Commissioners on the part OF the
Government of the Hawaiian Islands. The
provisional treaty, 1t will be observed, does
not attempt to deal in detail with the ques.
tons that grow out of the annexation OF
the Hawaiian Islands to the United States.
The Commissioners representing the da-
wafian Government have consented to leave
to the future and to the just benevolent pur-
poses of the United States the adjustment
of all such questions
I do not deem it necessary to discuss at
any length the conditions which have re-
suited in this decisive action. 1t has been
the nclicy of the Administration not only
to "a Iect but to encourage the continuation
= ID independent Government in the Ha-
v.csiian Islands 80 long as it afforded suitable
guarantees for the protection OF life aud prop
erty and maintained ability and strength
that gave adequate security against tne
domination of any other power. Ihe moral
support of this Government has continually
manifested itself in the most friendly dlplo-
matte relations and in many acts or courtesy
to the Hawaiian rulers. The overthrow OF
the monarchy was not In any
wav prompted by this Government,
but had its origin in what seems to have
been a reactionary and revolutionary pol
icy on the part of Queen Liliuokalani which
put in serious peril, not only the large and
prepoaderatiug interests Of the United
States In the islands, but all foreign inter-
ests: and, indeed, the decent administration
of civil affairs and the peace or the islands.
It is quite evident that the monarchy had
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 undesirable, if not impossible and
unless actively supported BY the United
States, would be accompanied by serious
disaster and the disorganiz alton of all bust
ness interests. The influence and interest OF
the United States in the islands must be in
creased and not diminished Only two
courses are now open-one the establish
ment Of protectorate by the United States,
and the other annexation full and complete.
I think the latter course. which has been
adopted in the treaty, will be highly pro-
motive of the best interests OF the Hawaiian
people and is the only one that will ad-
equately secure the interests Of the United
States.
Inc interests are uOU WuOl14 S0Il1SL. LII As
essential that none of the other great powers
shall secure these islands. Such a posses
sion would not consist with our safety and
with the peace of the world. This view OF
the situation is apparent and conclusive
that no protest has bean heard from any
Government against proceedings looking to
annexation. Every foreign representative
at Honolulu promptly acknowledged the
Provisional Government and / think
there is general concur ence in the
opinion that the deposed Queen ough5
not to be restored. Prompt action upon
this treaty is very desirable. Il it
meet the approval Of the Senate peace
and good order will be secured in thu
islands under existing laws until such time
as Congress can provide by legislation per-
manent form OF Government for the islanis
This legislation should be, and l do not
doubt will be, not only just TO the natives
and all other residents and citizens of the
ands but should be characterized by
great liberaliry and high regard to the
rights of all the people and or all foreigners
domiciled there. The correspondence which
accompanies the treaty will Put the Senate
in possession of all the facts known to the
Executive. BENJAMIN HARRISON.
Executive Mansion, Washington, Feoru-
arv Is. 1898.
In a letter to the President laying the
treaty before him, Secretary of State Foster
recapitulates the history Of recent events in
the islands leading up to the revolution; the
establishment Of the Provisional Govern
ment; the appearance of the Commissioners
in Washington; the negotiations that have
taken place. resulting in the preparation of
the treaty, and the establishment of the
protectorate by Minister Stevens.
Secretary Foster confirms the Presidents
statement that the revolution was entirely
unexpected so far as this Government was
concerned.
cat no time" he says, chad Mr.. Stevens
been instructed with regard to his course in
the event of revolutionary uprising. The
change was, in fact, abrupt and unlocked
for by the United States Minister or the
Naval Commander"
n regard to the protectorate, Secretary
Foster says in his letter: IAN instruction
has been sent to the Minister commanding
his action, in SO far as it lay within the pur
view of standing instructions to the Legation
and to the naval commanders of the United
States in Hawaiian waters and tended to
cooperate with the administration of
affairs by the Provisional Government but
disavowing any steps in excess Of such iu-
structions whereby the authority and power
of the United States might appear to have
been asserted to the impairment of the in
dependent sovereignty of the Hawaiian
Government by the assumption OF formal
protectorate."
Secretary Foster says that the provisions
of the treaty reserve TO Congress the deter
mination of all questions affecting the form
of Government of the annexed territory,
the citizenship and elective franchise OF the
inhabitants and all questions relating to
the economic and political status of the ISL
ands.
In conclusion he says that pending the
negotiation he received assurances from
representatives of the leading powers OF the
world in this city, and from our own minis
tiers abroad, convincing him that the incor-
poration of the Hawaiian Islands into the
Union will be regarded by these powers with
SatiSfaPt or ready ao0uieSca0ca