The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1894-03-20

The conclusion of the majority re-
port of the Senate Committee on
Foreign Relations appears below. 1t
will be published at once in pamphlet
form by the Gazette Company.
The cause of this departure from our
general course of diplomatic conduct is
| the recognized fact that Hawaii has been
| all the time under virtual suzerainty OF
| the United States, which is, by an apt
and familiar definition, a paramount
! authority, not in any actual sense an
| actual sovereignty, but IL de Jocto su'
| premacy over the country. This sense
| OF paramount authority, OF supremacy,
! with the right to intervene in the affairs
| of Hawaii, has never been lost sight OF
| by the United States to this day, and it
| is conspicuously manifest in the CORE
spondence of Mr.. Willis with Mr.. Dole,
which is set forth in the evidence which
| accompanies this report.
Another fact of importance in consid-
| ering the conduct of our diplomatic and
naval officers during the revolution of
| January, 1898, is that the annexation of
| Hawaii to the United States has been
| the subject of careful study and almost
| constant contemplation among Hawai-
ians and their kings since the beginning
! of the reign of Kamehameha /. This
| has always been regarded by the ruling
| power in Hawaii as coveted and secure
| retreat-a sort of house OF refuge
whenever the exigencies ~ fate might
| compel Hawaii to make her choice be-
| tween home rule and foreign domina-
ton, either in the form OF a protectorate.
| or OF submission TO some foreign SOW
ereign.
Hawaii has always desired an escape
to freer government, when she has to
| be forced to the point where the surren-
der of racial pride and her standing as a
nation would be the severe penalty OF
her weakness. Hawaiians prefer citizen
ship in great republic to the slavery Of
subjection to any foreign monarchy.
Annexation to the United states has
never been regarded with aversion, or
with a sense OF national degradation, by
the Hawaiian people. On the contrary,
it has been adopted as feature OF
political action by those who have at
tempted to recommend themselves TO
the support of the people In times OF
danger.
In the revolution of January, 1898,
those who assumed the sovereign power,
declaring that there was an interregnum,
made it a conspicuous part OF their
avowed purpose to remain In authority
|
United States. This was stated as an
argument for the creation OF a provisional
government, without which there would
be less advantage in the change OF the
situation Annexation was an avowed
purpose OF the Provisi. nal Government,
because it would popularize the move
ment. No one could project a revolution
in Hawaii for tie overthrow Of the
monarchy, that would not raise the
question among the people OF annexation
to the United States.
In the diplomatic correspondence oi
the United States with our ministers 70
Hawaii, frequent and favorable aIus!on
is made to this subject as matter OF
friendly consideration for the advantage
OF that country and people, and not as q
result that would enhance the wealth or
power of the United states. This treat
ment OF the subject began very early in
the history OF Hawaiian civilization, and
it was taken up and discussed by the
people Oh the islands as topic OF patri-
otic inspiration II vas their habit to
celebrate the anniversary of the inde-
pendence OF the United States as q
national fete day. So that, there was no
thought Of conspiracy against the mon
archy in openly favoring the project OF
! annexation. Whether annexation is
| wise and beneficial to both countries is Il
question that must receive the consider
ton of both governments before it can be
safely settled.
The testimony taken by the committee
| discloses the well-cOnsidered opinion Of
several Of our most eminent naval and
military officers, that the annexation OF
| Hawaii is fact indispensable TO the
| proper defense and protection OF our
Western coast and cities. Bat this is u
| matter with which the committee is not
| especially charged, and reference is
made TO these opioions "a supporting
the statement that all intelligent men IN
! Hawaii aud in the Un!tea States. who
have taken pains 10 consider the subject,
are convinced that the question is one
deserving OF thorough investigation and a
! correct and friendly decision. The ques-
tion OF annexation, however, is distinctly
| presented in the proclamation of the
| Provisional Government as one to be
| settled by the action of the Government
of the United States
Commissioners to treat with the
| United States for the annexation of
| Hawaii were sent to Washington imme-
diately upon the adoption and promulga-