The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-12-16
WANTS TO ANNEX
Is What Chester HOlCOmbG Says
Of Hawaii and America.
INTERVIEW WITH A DIPLOMAT
Expresses Very Decided
Opinions.
England Must Not Get Ahead-How
and When the Matter Will
Probably Be Settled.

Mr. Chester Holcomb, of New York,
who has for over 20 years been con-
nected with the United States Legation
in China, was through passenger 70
San Francisco on the Belgic yesterday.
In conversation with an Advertis-
er reporter on the upper deck of the
steamer yesterday afternoon, Mr.. Hol-
combe spoke as follows:
Until just recently 1 was connect
ed with the United States Legation in
was sent out to that country on spec
ial business for the United States Gov
eminent, which l am not at liberty 20
make known to you, although I can
say it is of vast Importance to both
the United States and China. This
business has been completed and now
| am returning to my home in New
York
From the smile on Mr.. Holcombe's
face, as he said that the business had
been completed, the reporter was led
to believe that he had settled the mat
ter referred to in a manner that would
so you have heard that 1 am very
much interested in the annexation Of
these Islands to the United States, and
would like to hear what l have to say
about it," continued Mr.. HoIcombe.
well, in the first place, | want to
say that any good Hawaiian should be
for annexation with all that is in him.
q have read about these Islands ever
since | was 6 years of age, and [ am
getting pretty we'll along in years now.
have made the country a study, and
find that the conditions are such that
it is vitality necessary that the Hawaii
an Islands should be annexed to the
United States, and that it is also neces-
sary to the United States that the ISL
ands be annexed.
Hawaii is neither big nor powerful
enough to stand alone, and what coun
try more favorable to the Islands is
there than the United States?
Now, then, why are the Islands
necessary to the United States? Sim
ply on the grounds of international
politics. You know that Great Britain
has a perfect chain of outposts along
the Atlantic frontier. The United
States does not intend to lose the splen-
did opportunity it has in Hawaii If
England could see the faintest hope
she would grab up these Islands in
minute. Her agents are in your coun-
try now watching for the opportunity,
but the Hawaiian Government is for
annexation to the United States alone.
There is no doubt in my mind that
active steps toward annexation will be
taken next year during the beginning
of William McKinley's administration
as President of the United States.
Now, then, as to the method that
might be employed to bring about an
nexatiOn President Mckinley will
| have to call special Congress at the
very beginning of his administration,
and a joint resolution on annexation
could be passed at that time, making
| the thing a sound foundation upon
which TO work. The President could
| then be given authority TO act, and a
body of commissioners could be ap-
pointed by him to act in conjunction
with a commission appointed by the
President of Hawaii. This combined
body of commissioners could then ar
range all the details.
In regard to the matter of taking
popular vote of the people of Ha-
waii on the question of annexation, |
do not believe that the United States
viii consider that for one moment. |
think that the fact that the Legislature
of Hawaii has sent resolutions favor
ling annexation, unanimously adopted
is enough to satisfy the United States
You want annexation, and we want
it. Mark my words, active steps TO-
ward that end will be taken next year.