Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1896-12-02
OLNEY TO INVESTIGATE.
State Department will See if Span
iards Are Holding a Florida
Editor.

Washington, D. c., Nov. 2S-Francis
NJ. Hatch, the representative from Ha-
Waii to the United States, has returned
to the city after long absence. The
minister was asked for an interview on
the prospects of renewal, during the in
coming administration, of steps for the
annexation of Hawaii to the United
States. Mr.. Hatch declined to talk on
the subject, but referred his questioner to
the following resolutions passed by the
Legislature of Hawaii in May last, as
showing the attitude of his government on
the subject:
Passed Favorable Resolutions
Whereas, it has heretofore been the an
nounced policy both Of the provisional gov
eminent and of the republic OF Hawaii to
advocate the annexation of the Hawaiian
islands to the United States of America. and
whereas, the Legislature of the republic Of
Hawaii is now in regular session assembled
and will soon adjourn for a considerable
Whereas, it is fitting that the elected rep
resentatives of the people should place them
selves on record as to the present state of
feeling among themselves and their con-
stituents Gn this subject.
Be 1t resolved, by the Senate and House of
REPRESENTATIVES. that the Legislature of the
tofore, firmly and steadfastly in favor of the
annexation of the Hawaiian islands 60 the
United States Of America, and, in adyOcat-
ing such policy, they feel assured that they
are expressing not only their own senti-
ments, but those of the voters of the re-
public.
Treaty was Not Ratified.
In this connection it will be recalled
that just before the close of the last adj
ministration Secretary of State Foster
negotiated a treaty with commission
from Hawaii for the annexation of that
country to the United States. it was
sent TO the Senate by President Harri-
son, but was not acted on during his
administration After President CIeve-
land came into office and before the
Senate had disposed of the treaty, the
having been ratified by this government
nothing was done by the Hawaiians.
The Legislature of Hawaii will not
meet again for some time. 1t is under
stood, however, that the president of that
country has the power, should he deem
it eXpedient. at any time to reopen nego-
tiations with the United States for a
treaty looking to annexation. No in
formation IS obtainable at the legation re-
specting the recent action of the Ha-
Waiian government in regard to the
proposition for certain extension of the
concessions granted to Col. Spalding in
regard to 4 Pacific cable.
Want a Cable.
The Hawaiians, Minister Hatch says.
are anxious to have the cable laid, par
ticularly between the United States and
Hawaii. and as an evidence of their de-
sire have offered subsidy of $4,000
a year toward the maintenance of the
latter, which is regarded rs a large
amount when coming from small coun-
try. The concession originally granted
to Col. Spalding for the cable between
Hawaii and the United States, it ap-
pears. gave him an exclusive franchise
for twenty years provided he obtained
aid from his government within eighteen
months after the date of the concession.
The time expires in May next. SO that
speedy action is necessary it the orig
inal terms Of the agreement are adhered
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