St. Paul daily globe., 1893-02-06
One of the Most Impregnable
Harbops in the Pacific
Ocean.
Minister Stevens Warmly in
Favor of the Annexation
Of the Islands.
They Are Capable Of Main
tanning a Population of
100000 People.
England Not Really Averse to
the United States TAX
ing Them.

WASHINGTON, FeD. 5.-lne members
of the Hawaiian annexation commission
spent a quiet Sunday, passing most
of the time in their their rooms at
their hotel. Mr.. Carter, who was a
resident of Washington for some time
while his father was Hawaiian minister
to this country, found time to renew
some of his acquaintances of that period,
but the other gentlemen saw no one eX-
cept several callers at the hotel. Among
the visitors were Commander Goodrich,
of the United States navy, and Mr..
Montgomery, of Portland, Or, the lat
ter of whom expressed to the commits
sioners his belief that the entire Pacific
coast was united iii favor of the anneXa-
ton of the islands to the United States.
The commissioners do not expect to
have any statement to make to the pub
lie regarding their errand until after
the completion OF their conferences
with Secretary Foster. They will be
busily engaged during the intervals be-
tween those meetings with the secretary
in the preparation of the argument that
they will advance in support Of theira ap-
plicatlon for the
Annexation of the Islands
by the United States. 1t is said that the
conference between the secretary and
the commissioners will not be anything
more than a formal one until after the
arrival of the next steamer from Ha-
wall, which is due at San Francisco on
the Sth inst, bringing further advlces
as to the situation of affairs upon the
islands. The state department expects
to receive by that steamer full reports
from Minister Stevens of the events in
connection with the revolution and OF
what has occurred since. The commits
sioners also lock for additional instruc-
tions from the provisional government
regarding their mission to this couHtry.
Until these communications have been
received it is said that the commission
ers will not be presented to President
Harrison. Speaking of the probable
course of events on the islands, COM
missioner Carter said this afternoon
that the provisional government would
not undertake any legislative action
Pending the Negotiations
with the United States upon the subject
of annexation except that the advisory
council, which stauds in the stead OF
legislature, would probubly repeal the
lottery bill which the recent legislature
passed the day before it was prorogued
bv the lately depoSed queen. AS long
ago as last November Minister Stevens
wrote a letter setting forth the advan-
tages of the Hawaiian islands to tue
United States and the desirability OF
their acquisition by this country, in
which he said: "The time is near when
we must decide who shall hold these
islands as part of their national terll-
tory. 1t is not possible for them much
longer to remain alone. These people
and the United States will soon be COM
pelled by circumstances and events to
decide whether the Hawaiian islands
will have unity, liberty and autonomy
with the United States, or become
colonial possession of European
power. What Webster, Clayton and
Marcy saw
Forty Years Ago.
and Seward, Fish and Blaine and the al
ministrations they represented clearly
perceived, may now we'll be considered
by the American people. The entire
area of the islands is about 5000 square
miles. In addition to sugar, which is
now much the largest product, the soil
and climate are admirably adapted. to
raising rice, bananas. oranges, coffee,
grapes and ether crops. Well governed
and properly developed, they are capa-
BILE of maintaining population OF $780,
600 to 100000. There are extensive
ranches for the raising of sheep and
cattle. so as to be capable of supplying
steamers and other vessels both III
peace and war. The two harbors of
Honolulu and Pearl City, about six
miles apart, are entered by narrow
channels, closely banked by mountains.
SO as to be impregnably defensible at
not large expense. Their ultimate pos
session by the United States is OF the
utmost Importance to American COM
merce In the Pacific. which promises
vast developments if wisely carried out
and without too much deiay."