Evening star., 1897-06-14
ADVANTAGES OF ANNEXATION.

ADVANTAGES OF ANNEXATION.
Views of Representative Spalding on
the Subject.
Representative Spalding of Michigan, who
introduced d resolution i'll the House In
the Fifry-fourth Congress providing for
the annexation Of Hawaii, is very much in
terested in the progress of pending events
in Congress looking to that end. General
Spalding is generally credited by his col
leagues with being in close touch with the
administration upon the Hawaiian policy.
In conversation with i Star reporter to-
day General Spaldlng talked Interestingly
upon annexation. He said:
In the Fffty-fourth Congress I intro
cuced a joint resolution looking to the an
nexation of Hawaii. The resolution was
drawn almost exactly like the joint resolu-
ton for the annexation of Texas, inasmuch
as 1t gives the President sufficient power
and scope TO adopt the best methods of
annexation. l believe now that the Presi-
dent and the officers in authority in the
State Department are trying to thrown the
protecting arms of the great republic of
the United States around our little sister
republic sitting midway in the Pacific
ocean. The Islands constituting the ter
ritory of the Hawaiian government. for
merly the Sandwich Islands, are extremely
fertile. but their value to this government
is not in their fertility but as an outpost
in the case of war for the defense of this
continent Their strategic position Is in
valuable to this country. AS coaling sta
tons for our navy in case of war they are
absolutely necessary, hence our govern
ment has always looked with favor on the
requirement of a harbor by purchase to be
place of refuge and coaling station in
case of war.
Mature has placed these Islands as out
posts of this continent, and to surrender
them 10 other nations would seem to be
almost an act of treason. Our foreign
trade is assuming immense proportions. 1t
is the duty of the general government to
protect, foster and care for this great
trade. A navy thoroughly equipped was
necessary to even police the seas but the
seas could not be policed without coaling
stations, as modern ship is Of no value
without coat
In 1872 President Tyler sent a message
to the Senate of the United States relat-
ing to the Hawaiian Islands Fillmore in
1850 reiterated the statements made by
Tyler in favor of the eXation or pro-
lection of these islands by our govern
nent- Franklin Pierce in "a desired the
annexation of Hawaii and authorized the
ne gotation of the treaty of annexation of
1884, but said treaty was not confirmed by
the Senate. President Buchanan in 1s49
as Secretary of State stated that English
CT French control Of Hawaii would be
highly injurious to the United States.
Would ii be any less injurious. to have
Japan coillrol tneSe lSlanQS! Inc anneXa-
ton of Hawaii was favored by President
Grant. President Arthur was in full SYM
pathy with the AmericaniZing of Hawaii,
and President Harrison caused an annexa-
ton treaty to be negotiated in Hawaii,
which was defeated by the Senate.
There are some who object to the ad-
mission of Hawaii. believing that admis-
sion as a state is necessary to annexation.
This is not the case. 1t could he admitted
and held as a territory protectorate.
Hawaii is anxious for annexation The
governing classes are of our own kith and
kin. the mixed classes that are there are
largely laborers on sugar plantations, etc,
and they will cause us little or no trouble
in legislation. The precarious condition of
the present government requires speedy
action. 1 have the utmost confidence in
the genius of the President of the United
States to foresee the peculiar conditions
and to hasten an amicable arrangement by
which the Hawaiian Islands will be placed
entirely under the control of the United
States government.
Mr. John W. Foster, on March 26, 1897,
said: 1t is, in my opinion, the plain duty
of the United States to annex Hawaii to
its territory. And, in a matter-whieh in
wolves the interests and destiny of great
nation of 70,O0o,000 people, no mere tech
nical questions of procedure should be al
lowed to embarrass our action. We must
either annex the islands or leave them free
TO make such other alliance as they may
choose or as destiny may determine