New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-02-17
THE HAWAIIAN TREATY.

Elsewhere is printed the text OF the Hawaiian
Treaty. together with the correspondence OF
the Secretary Of state lrcOunlng the events
at Ucnolnln which brought the Hawaiian Com
missjonerS 10 Washington on their present
Grand The treaty is simple and direct. II
leaves all questions upon which there can be
any controversy to the later consideration and
action OF Congress. II provides for the ALSO
lrte ces,ion of the islands and for the transfer
of Government property from the Hawaiian
10 the Federal Government. II empowers the
President 10 appoint Commissioner resident
at II nJlulu, who, together vita the Provisional
Government now in authority there, shall al
minister the affairs Of the islands until Con-
grcsS has enacted the necessary laws Tor the
establishment of such a permanent government
rs in lis wisdom il may see hit 10 DEVISE. lhc
Commissioners sole function i the exercise OF
a veto power upon the acts O( the Provisional
Goycrnmcnt The immigration of Chinese
laborcrs into Hawaii and their passage from
Hawaii 10 other pant, of the territory OF the
United states are forbidden. The public debt
of Hawaii is assumed 10y the United states.
An annuity of 100000 Is provided Tor the de-
posed Queen and Il grant OF S1j0.O00 i given
to her heireSs, the Princess kau.ani. provided
they in good faith submit 10 the Authority OF
the United states and IF the Prov iSiOnll COY
eminent.
There is certainly II thing in this convention
70 which objection can be made, If il be- adj
mittcd thar annexation under any cncum-
stance, is desirable. No one can deny that
popular sentiment has expressed itself in favor
Of annexation, widely and with great unanim-
H., ind, ba. cd
manifestation of public approval. There i mt
the smallest doubt that the will OF the Amrri-
can people will be truly expreS ,ed by the i'm
mediate ratification Of the treaty a II stands.
\ disposition 10 delay action, however IS OBJ
>ervablc in certain quarters III and ont OF
Congress. On the alleged ground that the quc>-
tons involved in annexation are too numerous,
too great and far-Ieachng 10 admit OF ha>iy
preceding The answer 10 this of cOnlSc Is
that all such questions have been by the cX-
press terms Of the treaty deferred. and arc
therefore not 10 be hastily dealt with. The
motive which really prompts this movement
for delay was frankly admitted yesterday, when
Il Democratic newspaper III tins city aScrlbed
10 the President the desire 4" to give a sort OF
sunset glory 10 his dying Administration And
il is 10 deny TO him this alleged satisfaction
that a certain body OF Democrats would throw
away the control of a situation bearing directly
and in almost supreme sense on our Ma
tional security and commercial prmacy. We
shall not do responsible Democratic senators
the d,honor Of surprising that consideration
50 dSgIaceful could affect their performance
of duty. although the names Of Messls. Villas,
Vest and Mills are prominently mentioned in
connection with the effort to procure delay. and
although il is admitted that they are really III
favor Of annexation No Republican claims
that the opportunity which has SO fortunately
come 10 Us OF securing these rich possessions
with the mastcrful strength their sovereignty
confirms has been induced by this Administra-
ton or is the result OF anything else than the
folly of the fatuous Queen. For the honor and
welfare of the country it is hoped that the
treaty will be dealt with III Congress in a
spirit of true-heartcd patriotism.
TO reject it would not be merely a mistake.
It would be a public crime, a wrong 10 the
future Of the American Nation, the consc-
quences Of which are not measurable. IL
would be the deliberate rejection of a mine OF
wealth and a fortress of security. 1t ia alb
surd to talk about an alternative t. anneXa-
ton which will at once preserve our influence
in the Pacific and relieve us OF responsibility.
That could be only in case where the in
hucncc would not be worth preserving nor the
responsibility worth avoiding. If the control
Of the commercial highways to China and
Australia is valuable thing, we cannot leave
it open to the attack and intrigue of other
nations and remain certain of holding it our
selves. II we wait to take il until we require
il, there will be those quici to challenge our
prctensionS, and to point to this very act
of remuneration as proof Of their
emptiness. If the defence Of our Pa
clc Coast is important, we cannot leave
to the chances Of fate a fastness from which
it can be suddenly assaed, and T. which the
assailant may fly in impndent security. IT the
lsthmian routes are our peculiar charge, il il
is for u.s. As we have always maintained. 10
hold in trust these passes for the benefit OF
mankind-unless, indeed. we think ourselves
uninterestcd in the exchanges Of the world.
and uncOncerned as to the forces b. which they
may be facilitated or checked. we can as i'll
afl ord to throw over this command Of their
western gate as TO abandon them to the pJ-
litiCal control of our commercial rivals abroad.
Since it is perfectly obvious that there is no
alternative to annexation. except such an abaE
donment Of the islands as will leave them free
Ia seek another alliance and known. Us il is.
that that course would be intolerable to the
American people, and in the presence of the
urgent necessity that exists for rendering the
Provisional Government at Honolulu secure
against agitation, it is the clear duty OF the
Senate to ratfy the treaty. The Hawaiian
Commissioners should be permitted To take