The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-02-25
IL. fnr,nrer Wand Informatl9n.

Mr.. DripRer Wants Inform alton
The resolution which Ny. Springer. the
chairman Of the ways and means commit
tee, introduced into the House on Wednes-
day, relative 70 the amount OF money
which this country will become responsible
for in the event OF the ratification Of the
treaty annexing the Sandwich Islands, Is
timely one. and should be promptly adoyted.
It would be u mistake for this country to
ratify the annexation treaty without IN
derstanding fully the extent aud nature Of
the obligations it would incur by doing so.
Mr.. Springer. in his res 3lution, points out
that in the event Of annexation this coun-
try would be obliged to pay the Hawaiian
debt and be responsible for the amount Of
money in the Hawaiian postal savings
banks. He estimates the amount Of these
two obligations TO be 50 500, 900. There are
other obligations. The treaty provides for
the payment Of $50 900 to the Princess
Ksiulani and for a pension Of $4,000
year 70 the deposed Queen LiliuokRlani.
And it is probable that bounty Of 2 cents
a pound would have TO be paid on all sugar
produced on the islands. The bounty would
amount to between 100000 and So
100000 year.
1t is evident from the foregoing state
ment that annexation would increase the
charge upon the United States treasury
very considerably, and it is but natural
that the House should want to know from
the President how great this is likely TO be,
and whether the revenue Of the islands
would cover the expenses OF their govern
ment and the interest on their debt.
The anxiety Of those who favor annexs-
ton TO hasten the ratification of the treaty
is not quite as great as it was a few days
ago. The Hawaiian commissioners, who
announced their purpose to return to Homo
lulu as soon as the President sent the treaty
to the Senate, because they thought its rati-
fcetion would be almost Immediately an
nounced, have concluded to remain in
Washington a while longer. They have
probably received an intimation that
the treaty is not likely to be ratified during
this administration, and that MIR. Cleve-
lands administration may entertain views
relative to Hawaiian matters altogether diff
ferent from those expressed by Gen.
Harrson's.
The young Princess Kaiulani is now on
her way to this country, having sailed from
London last Wednesday. She expects to be
in Washington Immediately after Mr..
Cleveland's Inauguration and hopes to in
fuence his administration 10 her favor.
Although Hawaii is of the utmost impor-
tance to us and we could not afford to let it
be controlled by another nation, still it
would be we'll not to act too hastily in this
matter of annexation. The government
should be thoroughly informed in respect to
all the obligations annexation would impose
before taking any definite action. No evil
dence has yet been submitted
that the Hawaians favor annexation.
The revolution and the establishments Of
the provisional government were the work
Of American residents at Honolulu who are
pecuniarily interested in having the islands
annexed to this country.
While annexation may be advisable the
American people would like the questions
proposed to the President by MIR. Springer
answered before the annexation treaty is
ratified. The people don't want to acquire
territory by doing injustice, however neces-
sary that territory to this country may be.
Nor do they want any policy adopted that
would increase their burdens greatly for
the benefit Of spectators and adventures.