The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-03-08
TIE ANNEXATION TREATY.
Terms Under Which the United
States Accepts Hawaii.
The Presidents Message Recon-
mending Its Ratification.

The Presidents Message Recon-
mending Its Ratification
The message Of President Harrison, trans.
mitting to the United States Senate the
treaty of annexation with Hawaii, is Just
made public. and is as follows:
To the Senate:
Transmit herewith, with view to lea
ratification, treaty OF annexation con con-
cluded on the 14th day Of February, 1873.
between John ". Foster, Secretary OF
State, who was duly empowered 70 act IN
that behalf on the part OF the Onited StsGes'
and Lorrin A. Thurston, w; K Castle w.
C. Wilder. c. L. Carter and joseph Ma.s- IFS
den. the Commissioners on the part OF Ihe
Government of the Hawaiian Islands. The
nrovisional treaty, it will be observed, does
not attempt to deal in detail with the ques-
t;ons that grow out Of the annexation OF
the Hawaiian Islands to the United States.
The Commissioners representing the Ha-
waiian Government have consented to leave
10 the future and to the just benevolentp pur-
noses of the United States the adjustment
Of all such questions.
do NOT deem it necessary to discuss at
sny length the conditions which have re-.
suited In this decisive action. 1t has been
the no,icy Of the Administration not only
TO respect but to encourage the continuation
Of an independent Governuant IN the Ha-
waiian Islands so long as it afforded suitable
tuaranteesfor the protection OF life and prop
erty and maintained stability and strength
that gave adequate security against the
domination Of any other power. Ioe mora
support Of this Government has continually
naanifested itself In the most friendly diplo-
matic relations and In many acts OF courtesy
to the Hawaiian rulers. The overthrow Of
the monarchy was not In any
way prompted by this Government,
but had its origin in what seems to have
been q reactionary and revolutionary pol
icy on the part OF Queen Liliuokaiani which
put in SERIOUS peril, not only the large and
preponderating, interests OF the United
ests: and, indeed, the decent administration
of civil affairs and the peace OF the islands.
It is quite evident that the monarchy had
become effete, and the Queens Government
% weak and inadequate as to be the prey OF
designing and interruptions persons. The
restoration Of Queen Liliuokalani to her
throne is undesirable, II not impossible and
unless actively supported by the United
States, would be accompanied by serious
disaster and the disory yauization OF jail busi-
ness interests. The influence and interest OF
the United States in the islands must be in
creased and not diminished. Only. two
courses are now open-one the establish
nent of a protectorate by the United States,
and the other annexation full and complete.
think the latter course. which has been
adonted in the treaty, will be highly pro-
motive of the best interests OF the Hawaiian
people and is the only one that will ad.
equately secure the interests or the United
States.
The interests are not wholly selfish. It is
essential that none of the other great powers
shall secure these islands. Such a posses
sion would not CONSIST with our safety and
with the peace Of the world. This view OF
the situation is 30 apparent and conclusive
chat no protest has been heard from any
government against proceedings looking. to
annexation. Every foreign representative
at Honolulu promptly acknowledged the
Provisional Government and think
there is a general concurrence In the
opinion that the deposed Queen ought
not to be restored. Prompt action upon
this treaty is very desirable. II 1t
meet the approval Of the Senate peace
and good order will be secured in the
Islands under existing laws until such time
as Congress can provide by legislation per-
maoent form of Government for the islands.
This legislation should be, aud I do, not
doubt will be, not only Just to the natives
and all other residents and citizens OF the
islands, but should be characterized by
great liberalisy and high regard to the
Sights of all the people and Of all foreigners
domiciled there. The correspondence which
.ccompanies the treaty will Put the Senate
in possession Of all the facts known to the
Executiye. BENJAM1S HARRISON. ,
Executive Mansion, Washington, Febru-
ary IS. 1898.
In q letter to the President laying the
treaty before him, Secretary OF State Foster
recapitulates the history Of recent events IN
the islands leading up to the revolution; the
establishment of the Provisional Govern
ment: the appearance Of the Commissioners
in Washington; the negotiations that have
taken place, resulting in the preparation or
the treaty, and the establishment OF the
protectorate by Minister Stevens.
Secretary Foster confirms the Presidents
statement that tho revolution was entirely
unexpected so far as this Government was
concerned.
"At no time" he says, "had Mr.. Stevens
been instructed with regard to his course IN
the event Of revolutionary uprising. the
change was. in fact, abrupt and unlocked
for BY the United States Minister or the
Naval Commander"
In regard to the protectorate, Secretary
Foster says in his letter: "Au instruction
has been sent to the Minister commanding
his action, in 80 far as it lay within the pur-
Tiis~ Of standing instructions to the Legation
and to the naval commanders OF the United
States in Hawaiian waters and tended to
cooperate with the administration OF
affairs by the Provisional Government, but
disavowing any steps in excess OF such in
structions whereby the authority and power
of the United States might appear to have
been asserted to the Impairment OF the In
dependent sovereignty OF the Hawaiian
Government by the assumption OF formal
protectorate:"
Secretary Foster says that the provisions
Of the treaty reserve TO Congress the deter.
miDation Of all questions affecting the form
Of Government OF the annexed territory,
the citizenship and elective franchise OF the
inhabitants and all questions relating to
the economic and political status OF the isl
ands.
In conclusion he says that pending the
negotiation he received assurances from
representatives Of the leading powers Of tbs
world in this city, and from our own minis
ters abroad, convincing him that the incor-
poratiou of the Hawaiian Islands into the
Union will be regarded by cheese powers with
satisfaction or ready acquiescence.
The treaty itself provides for the cession
Of all rights Of sovereignty over the islands,
all public buildings and property to the
United States revenue from public lands
Purposes to be used exclusively for the ben
eft of the people OF the islands.
Until Congress provides otherwise, the
existing Government and laws of the Ha-
waiian Islands are continued, subject to the
paramount Authority OF the United States.
A resident Commissioner is to be appoint.
cd, who shall have power to veto any act OF