The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-01-29
SHALL WE ANNEX HAWAII
Naval Officers Say Yes, but Statesmen
Generally Are Opposed.

WAsHIS6ToS CITY, Jan. Z5.-Ihe news
that Queen Liluokalani had been over
thrown came 10 the United States govern
ment with an emphasis that precluded any
doubts as to its authenticity. An official
dispatch To Secretary John r. Foster, re-
ceived this morning, brought the startling
intelligence. He Immediately sent the m
formation TO President Harrison and Mott
Smith, the representative in Washin gton
City of Queen Liliuokalani. Mott Smith,
however, had already been informed, and
hurried TO the state department with dis
patch from Thurston, leader of the COM
mission sent TO negotiate the annexation
of Hawaii TO the United States. Secretary
Foster sent to the office OF the secretary Of
the navy . request for an immediate inter-
view with Secretary Tracy. Tracy had
not reached the department ct the time,
but Assistant Secretary Solely, recogniz-
ing the importance of the information,
went at once to see Secretary Foster. They
had a consultation in reference to the
naval strength OF the United States in
Hawaiian waters. and Solely informed
Foster that the only vessel there was the
cruiser Boston, now at Honolulu. No
other vessel. he said was in the vicinity.
Foster thought il would be well to have
better naval representation at Honolulu,
and Soley went back to the navy depart
ment TO Assert ain what vessels were avail
able for service in this connection. Secre-
tary Tracy arrived soon after Soley re-
turned, and. upon hearing the news, went
over to Secretary Foster. 1t will take at
least ten days for one Of our naval vessels
to join the Boston at Honolulu. L. is
probable that the new coast defence vessel
n L M
been completed with the exception of hay-
ing her turret arnor in, and tits likely she
will sail at once from San Francisco to sup
port the Boston. The interior lining Of
iron to which the armor is to be riveted
has been placed in her turrets and the
stores are all on board.
After an interview with Secretary Foster.
Mott Smith told a reporter that he thought
the new government would be maintained
without display of force by the United
States. He believed. he said, that the peo-
pie themselves would regulate matters.
and that there would be no trouble. Smith
had believed revolution inevitable, bat
thought it would not come so soon. The
interview between Secretary OF State Foster
and DR.. Smith continued for some time.
At its close Secretary Foster went over to
with President Harrison.
While. Of course. no statement of the
policy TO be pursued by the United States
in the matter will be made. at least until
after the arrival OF the commission from
Hawaii. il may be sand that the visit Of
the Hawaj,ans will hardly Re successful if
the purport thereof has been correctly
stated. Aside from the innovation anon
the policy OF the government since It's or
canizatior which the annexation would
! be, the Interests Of other countries in the
/ islands are - large too permit. on the par;
! the governments Of those nations. acguies.
! ence N such annexation. Il Won i in
| voive consequences which the United
| States would not care, and which its long
! settled policy torbi6s. II 10 assume
| In executive session today the senate
| discussed the revolution. Generally the
| speeches seemed 10 fauor annexation or
| the eStabiis hment Il = protectoyate. In
! opposition 10 these views il was asserted
| that the debt ~ Hawaii amounted 10 more
| than 100000. which vas sud- 7icnt cause
| Tor thls government 70 hair before a~sYtn-
/ ing the load. Il WAS also stated tv other
/ senators that when We secured our CO.. ing,
! station 81 Pearl Haroor wears ago there
/ was an a;reemen; under which England
| Germany aal the United Safes ana other
| g-eas powers agreed - keep tae.r hands
| of ana permit Hawai-. 20 run H. own al
! fairs. IA c0utroyo:tlus tals statement Il
was claimed that while there m At have
been u tact understanding in that direction
IL Was nos such contract between the
powers as would preclude the In ted
states in the eysnt OF request from lie
government 81 Hawaii, from exsr-
Clslng the power Of annexation.
If indeed there had ever been an
understanding on the subject. In support
81 the presumption that there vas no
agreement, it VAS shown that England