The record-union., 1893-02-01

Special to the RECoED-UNIoN.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 31.-The discussion
of the Hawaiian question at the Cabinet
meeting to-day was informal, and there
being nothing before that body for its
consideration no action was taken. The
matter of the reception of the Commits
sioners of the Provisional Government OF
Hawaii concerns only the President and
Secretary of State, with whom their busl-
ness must be transacted. The Commits
sioners, of course, will be received cour-
teously and their proposition listened to
with sympathy. But the recommends
ton that may be made then will be de-
termined by its terms 1t may be said
that there will be no precipitate action
upon the matter. 1t cannot be disposed
OF in day, nor week. There will be
no message to Congress from the Presi-
dent until after the Commissioners are
heard and then only, it is surmised, in
case a favorable recommendation upon
their proposition shall have been decided
upon.
In Congress the situation continues to
be privately discussed by the members.
Harmer (Rep.), member of the House
Foreign Affairs Committee, said to-day:
81 approve of the steps already taken
by the representatives of the United
States at Honolulu, as they have pre-
vented the Government of Great Britain
from assuming a protectorate over the is
lands, which would have resulted i'll the
absolute possession in the near future,
which if to avoid we were compelled to
accept the proposition for annexation at
once, would favor it. Our Government
should look to its own interests first,
which Great Britain never fails to do.
No European Power should be allowed to
seize Hawaii at any time, especially while
its representatives are begging at our
doors for annexation. 1t is plain no in
ternational treaty would be violated by
annexation. France and Great Britain
recognized the independence of the is
lands in 1913 and subsequently the United
States. Much will depend upon the de-
Velopments of the next few days, but
believe, with careful consideration and
keeping American interests constantly in
view, we shall reach a conclusion which
will be satisfactory to the people of our
country"
Congressman Harter Dem.) of Ohio is
radically opposed to the annexation,
saying to-day: THE whole scheme is a
job intended to benefit few sugar plant
ers, who are anxious to secure the two
cents pound bounty paid by the United
States on native product. Wewill knock
that bounty out shortly, and then you'll
hear no more about annexation
There is seemingly no preparation be-
ing made at the Navy Department for
sending vessels to Honolulu to support
the Boston. The statement that 900
steamer Mariposa lacks confirmation.
The flying squadron, consisting of the
cruisers San Francisco, Atlanta and
Charleston and the gunboat Yorktown
are expected at Barbados in few days,
and they can easily be reached there by
telegraph ii it is decided to send any of
them to Honolulu. 1t is probable, how
ever, that no extraordinary action will be
taken until after a conference is held be-
tween the Hawaiian Annexation Com
missioDers, now on their way to Wash
ington, and the Secretary of State.
FOLLY NOT TO ANNEX THE GROUP.
Boston, Jan. 31.-Relative to the Ha-
waiian question. Rear Admiral George
L. Belk nap (retired) says: ITO the peo-
pie of the United States the present situa-
ton is OF momentous interest and vital
importance. Indeed it would seem
Nature has established that group to be
ultimately occupied as an outpost, as it
were, of a great republic on its western
border, and that time has now come for
the fulfillment of such design. The
group now seeks annexation to the
United States. The contamination of
such wish would inure to the benefit of
both peoples. commercially and politi-
cally. Annex the islands, renstitute
them as q Territory, and the reciprocal
trade will double within twenty years.
Let the islanders feel they are once and
forever under the folds of the American
flag, as part and parcel of the great re-
public, and new development will at
once take place in the group that will at
once surprise its people and the world.
Not to take the fruit within our grasp
and annex the group now begging us to
take it would be folly, indeed, a mistake
of the gravest nature, both for the states
men of the day, and for the men among
us of high commercial views and great
enterprises.
LET the British lion once get its paw
upon the group and Honolulu would
soon become one of the most important
strongholds of Great Britain's power.
Great Britain will undoubtedly propose
a Joint arrangement for the government
of the islands, but we want none of that.
We want no entangling alliances. We
have had enough of that business at
Samoa. We want no joint protectorate;
no occupation there by any European
power; no Pacific Egypt. We need the
group as part and parcel of the United
States and should take what is offered us,
even at the hazard of war"
THE REPORT PREMATURE.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Silt was stated
to-day that the report of last night that
thd protest of England against the an
nexation of Hawaii by the United States
would be presented was premature. 1t
was said at the State Department that
none had been received and there was no
intimation that any would come to-day.
Lord Rosebery's statement to the Ha-
waiian Charge d'Affaires at London yes
terday that England, France and Ger
maay would protest against the annexa-