Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-01-03

great energy and activity In building up
trade and extending and consolidating their
influence and power along the western
shores Of the Pacific ocean and in the
islands Of the South Pacific. We have also
extended our treaty relations to Corea.
Siam, Persia and Madagascar. with a view
TO future possible trade with all the coun-
tries Of Asia and Australasia Our trans
continental railroads have greatly increas-
ed our trade with all these countries. When
an isthmian canal shall havefurnished quick
er and cheaper carriage by steam vessels
Tor freight and passengers We will find pow
erful rivals in the field both by way Of the
Isthmus of Darien in South America and
the Puget sound in British Columbia. The
stimulus thus given to commerce on the
Pacific ocean will increase rapidly the in
terchange OF production between all these
great countries. until that trade will equal
IL Ii doesn't exceed the value Of the COM
merce across the Atlantic.
THE Hawaiian Islands afford the only
stopping place in a distance of twenty thou
sand miles between our coast and those of
Japan, Corea and China, and from Panama
to the heart of those countries they are in
almost the direct line of travel. They are
on the meridian which touches the western
shore of Alaska and may be said to be
properly within the area Of the physical
and the political geography of the United
States They are nearer to US than to any
other great power. Influences of a social
and religious character. through which
these islands were in fact opened up to
modern civilization, have drawn the people
closely to US. and they feel that they have
greatly profited by the sympathy and con-
sideration of the American people for their
well being as a nation.
These close and cordial relations between
the people of the two countries in respect
to which the government also is in earnest
sympathy, strongly forbids that we should
abandon our reciprocal commerce or avert
our attention or withdraw our sympathies
from the Hawaiian people. Whether in an
honorable and peaceful rivalry for the COM
merce of the countries bordering the
Pacific ocean, or in the protection OF our
own commerce or cur coasts, in case OF
war with any great maritime power, our
relations with the government of Hawaii,
consistent with its independence and au-
tonomy, could not become too intimate for
our own welfare. A single fact OF many
will suffice to Illustrate this proposition.
The kingdom of Hawaii is the only govern
ment in the North Pacific ocean that Is
not colonial dependent of some great
fore the only neutral power in the North
Pacific ocean"
This report was ultimately adopted by the
Senate, and the treaty was continued with
the provision, however, which ultimately
led to the grant of a coaling station at
Pearl harbor. which has long been regarded
as one of the most valuable strategic
points ever obtained by this government.
The minority report of the committee was
Georgia, who argued solely upon financial
grounds, that the reciprocity treaty with
Hawaii was not profitable to the United
States, and urged its abrogation as
means to secure better arrangement in the
future.