New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-02-16
THE TREATY or UNION.

~
President Harrison communicated to the SEN
ate Yesterday the draft of Treaty of Annexa-
ton signed by Secretary John W. Foster,
representing the United States and by all
the Hawaiian Commissioners, representing tpe
Provisional Government OF llawarl. Inc sen
ate has disappointed public expectation IN
emitting promptly TO remove the seal OF secrecy
from the Presidents Message and the exact
phrases by which the union OF llaWal 10 'his
country is effected are still unknown. IL Is
understood, however, that the treaty Is Snort
and that it covers only the main point OF ah-
nexation, leaving the details OF 4 form OF gov
eminent to be dealt with by Congress III us
own time and way. Some correspondence WIN
Minister Stevens is published but 1t gives OUT
no new facts. The Honolulu newspapers ar
rived here coincidentally with these dispatches
and they contain all the news up TO the da'c
of the sailing of the steamer when Drought
both the papers and the official letters OF lhe
Minister. They all show that there exists III
Hawaii no other crystallizcd sentiment than
that which Mr.. Tbmston and his colleagues
are here TO represent; that substantially all
tho {" foreicn', and progressive inhabitants OF
the islands. including not only the Americans
the English. heartily favor American sovcr-
eighty that the enlightened natives are sim
,la,lv disposed that these elements compose
the entire population which has anything 10
lose by disorder or to gain by FAR ana Just
administi alton and that almost the only people
who really wish the American Government 10
reject the Hawaiian proposals are small ana
corrupt ring of lottery pirates and OPIUM
smusgers and little company OF natives per-
sonally attached to the Queen but nj actually
representing her.
Little interest in the control of the islands
is taken by the natives generally lhey are
an amiable people, intelligent enough IL SCUM
Sea islanders are, but with contracted range
Of mental vision and little concerned about
other matters than those relating to their per-
sonal wants. The character Of Mr.. Paul Neu-
mann's mission here, as eXQueen Liluokalani
envoy is an admission Of all these facts. IL
is we'll known that he comes not TO attempt
to prevent annexation, but to make Tor the
deposed ruler and her family the best terms
he can lie purposely halted III san Francisco
in order that the annexation arrangements
might go forward, aiming to present himself
as he is now about to do, at the moment Wheh
he can most effectively introduce his proposals.
The ex-Oueen realizes that whatever our acton
NAV be. her chance to reign has gone, ana
that she has now the least to lose and the
most to gain by annexation. Her perception i
accurate She will, of course, be generously
cared for, not as CONCESSION To her envoy :
arguments, but as n matter OF pubic pOlic!
the advantages of which will not need 10 be
urged mon the American Government.
We think it may be assumed that the senate
will ratfy this treaty, and ratliy II promptly
It has certainly been made clear during the
last two weeks that popular sentiment iavor'
annexation heartily and with great unanlmliy
At the same time it has appeared that GER
tain faction Of Democrats is seeking to delay
action in the matter for no other conceivable
reason than to prevent the completion Of 50
notable an achievement in the closing days
of Republican Administration. This Is a
dancorou, as well as a discreditable exhibition
of partsanship, and we trust it Will not make
itself manifest IN such a body as the nit"d
States Senate There are obvious reasons Of
policy for the prompt cOns'lmlDa'lon oil the
union so providentay offered TO Ms. The
duty OF rendering the Provisional Government
IF Hawaii secure against the agitation Of the
lottery and opium ring, not TO speak OF a pos
sible agitation promoted by foreign influences
hostile to our sovereignty should be enough, in
the presence of such :. favoring public scnii-
ment as exists here and in Hawaii, to impress
mon Senators the wisdom Of immediate ratlii-
cation.