The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1893-02-16
FOR ANNEXATION.
CONGRESSMEN DECIDEDLY
IN FAVOR OF 1T.
"The United States Has Been
Waiting Fifty Years For
the Opportunity" W

the United States who are on record
In favor OF annexation is increasing.
Senator Plat of Connecticut,
Chairman OF the Committee on Ter
ritories, says: "The Sandwich ISL
ands and the Nicaragua canal are
two things the United States should
control. A policy of isolation did well
enough when we were an embryo
nation, but to day things are differ
ent, and we must no longer look to
dominion alone over the territory
included between the waters that
wash our own shores. We are 65,000,-
900 of people, the most advanced and
powerful on earth, and regard to our
future welfare demands an abandon
ment of the doctrine of isolation"
Senator Chandler says the time
has come for the United States to
annex the Hawaiian Islands. For
years they have been gravitating
toward us, but as long as self-sup-
porting autonomous government
could be maintained on the islands
there was no necessity for annexa-
ton. Now, however, it is apparent
that the island government can no
longer stand and that the people are
willing to come to us. 1t will not
be necessary for the United States to
embark in general policy of annex
alton or colonization. What we
want is Hawaii in the Pacific and one
or two points in the West Indies.
We need them for coaling stations
and for strategic outposts and we
can stay there.
Dolph, a member of the Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations.
said: "The United States has been
waiting fifty years for this oppor-
tunity, and now that it has come in
such way the problem can be solved
without difficulty. I certainly see
no reason why we should hesitate.
The man who should oppose what is
the manifest duty of the country in
this matter is, I think hardly deserv-
ing a seat in Congress. / certainly
favor the control of these islands by
the Government of the United
States"
Hiscock, another member of the
same committee, is also in favor of
annexation. Il believe" he said,
shat this government should pre-
vent any interference in this
matter on the part of any
other power. 1t is matter
that concerns us wholly, and, for
one, / may say that I am in favor of
the establishment there of terri
torial form of government under the
flag of the United States"
Representative Cogswell said: eff
I had the power / would extend the
protection of the United States over
the Sandwich Islands before the sun
goes down. 1 would also, in some
peaceful way, extend similar protec-
ton over Cuba and Hayti I would
control the Gulf of Mexico and the
outposts along the Pacific Coast"
Representative Fitch said: "I am
in favor of decided action. [ think
we should extend our control over the
islands at once AS against all other
nations we should assert our rights
to control them. What to do with
Hawaii afterwards is question to be
considered later and does not enter
into the question of taking posses
sion. We have been menaced enough
by the possession of the Bermudas
by England. We should not hesitate
about the matter, but take possession
of Hawaii at once. It is what Eng
land, Germany or France would do,
and we should give no ear to any pre-
test from them"
Senator Frye, of Maine, a leading
member of the Committee on Foreign
Relations, and who has taken an &C
tive interest in all matters relating to
the control of outlying islands in the
Pacific ocean, said: Il have for years
observed with regret the acquisition
by foreign powers of desirable coal
ing stations and harbor privileges on
the several islands, until now there
are none left save this one on the
Sandwich Islands. I am in favor of
making sure of this one by taking
Hawaii into our possession"
Secretary Tracy, of the navy, who
is acknowledged to be one of the
ablest lawyers in President Harri-
sons Cabinet, said: 81 favor the i'm
mediate annexation of Hawaii. We
have a perfect right to do so without
considering any other nation in the
matter. If we do not do it England
or some other European power will
In my mind there is no question of
the ACCESSIBILITY of annexation. Ii
should be done at once"
Senator Butler, member of the
Foreign Relations Committee, said
" It is premature to discuss the mat
ter now. / presume that when Com
missioner Thurston and his col
leagues arrive they will present their
petition to the President, who will
transmit it to Congress with spe
cial message bearing on the matter
which will then come up for legiti-
mate discussion. OF course there
can be no doubt of the desirability
of those islands for naval station
Unless they are purchased, as were
Alaska and Louisiana, it will be ne
cessary for Congress to pass an Act
of Annexation, as was done in the
case of the Republic of Texas"
There is nothing to prevent an.
nexation by the United States, which
declined to pledge itself, as England
and France did, not to interfere in
the autonomy of the Hawaiian King
MI