The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1893-02-25
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE
Transmitting 70 the Senate the
Hawaiian Treaty,
Together with the Full Text OF the
Latter Document-Prompt Action
on the Part OF the Senate
Recommended,

WASHINGTON. Feb. 17.-The message
Of President Harrison transmitting to
the senate The treaty of annexation
with Hawaii, the letter Of Secretary OF
State Foster to the president; AID the
treaty itself, arc as fellows:
kxssAcA or THE PRESIDENT.
II TIE SENATE: / transmit herewith, with a
view to its ratification. a treaty OF annexation
concluded on the 18th day Of February, 1898,
between John W. Foster, secretary Of state.
who was duly empowered to act In that behalf
on the part Of the United States. and Lorrir A.
Thurstol, ". r. Castle. W. C. Wilder. c. l.
Carter and Joseph Marsden, the cornmissioners
Islands. The provisional treaty, II will be OBJ
served, does not attempt TO deal In detail
with the questions that grow out Of the
annexation Of the Hawaiian Islands to the
United States. The commissioners represent
ing the Hawaiian government have consented to
leave to the future and to the Just and benevo-
lent urpuses Of the United State. the adjust
ment Of such questions. do not deem 1t nee
essary to detail at any length tho conditions
which have resulted IN this decisive action. 1t
has been the policy Of the administration not
only to respect but TO encourage the continu-
ance OF an independent government to
tho Hawaiian island, so long rs it
afforded suitable guarantee for the pro-
lection Of life and property, and maintained a
stability and strength that gave adequate Sc
curity against tho domination of any other
power. The moral support of this government
has continually manifested itself in the most
friendly diplomatic relations and in many acts
Of courtesy to the Hawaiian rulers. The over
throw OF the monarchy WAS not in any way
promp' ed by this government. but had its
origin in what seems to have been a reaction
arg AMI revolutionary policy on the part OF
Queen Liliuokaiani, which put In serious peril
not only the large and Pr ponderati " interests
of.the.U nited States In the islam Is, but all foreign
interests AND, indeed. the decent administra-
ton Of civil affairs an the peac, Of the ISLANDS.
II is quite evident that the monarchy had be-
come cffete AMI the qusen's government 81
weak and inadequate rs to be the prey OF A.
signing and INSCRIPTIONS persons. The res
~toration OF Queen tiIiuoIalani to her throuo
Is undesirable, II not impossible. and uni ~,
actively supported by the Unitei States
wouli bs accompanied by serious dis
aster and the Reorganization Of NIL
business interests The influence and interest
OF the United States In the islam Is INST be in
creased AMI not diminished. Oaly two courses
AFRO open one the establishment Of q protec-
torats by the Unitei States. and the other an
neration full and complets. I think the latter
course. which has been adopted, will b, highly
ohAOa VA u otot uttICs VI "a ma
waiian people, AMI Il the only oao tina. will
adequately secure the interests OF this Unitsi
States. These interests are not wholly u1ssl-
fish 1t Is essential that none OF the other
great powers shall secure thess Islands. Such
a possession woull not consist with our safety
and with the peace Of the world. This view Of
the situ1tion is so apparent and conclusive
that no protest has been heard from any gov
eminent against proceedings looking to annex
alton. Every foreign representative at Homo
lulu promptly acknowledged the provisional
government, and l think there is a general
concurrence in tn, OPT ion that the deposed
queen ought not to be restored.
Prompt action upol this treaty Is verv de-
sIrable. II it me,ts the approval Of tn, senate,
peace and good order Will be secured in the is
lands under existing laws until such time Rs
conGre' IS can provide a permanent form OF gov
eminent in the islands. This legislation
should be. and / DO not doubt will b., no
only to tee natives an all other resi-
dents and ciiiz ms OF tho islanis.
characterize, I'd by great lib,raIity and a high re-
gard To- tn rights OF all tbs people and all for
e;gners domiciiel tn re.
FESJAMIN HARRISON.