Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1897-06-25
HAWAIIAN ANNEXATION
THE PRESIDENT SENDS A MESSAGE
AND TREATY TO THE SENATE.
United states and Island Authorities
Agree to Terms Upon which
Admission IL Based.

doors were closed the message OF Presi-
dent Mckinley accompanying the treaty
and the treaty itself were read to the
senate. They were attentive'y listened
to. In one part OF the chamber there
was a group of senators who bitterly
opposed the ratification of the treaty
Among them were Senators Gray, Mills
Pasco. White. Caffery. Pettigrew ard
McEnery. AS soon as the reading OF
the docume nts was completed. Senator
Davis, chairman of the committee on
foreign relations, moved that the ines
sage and treaty be made public. Sen
ator Gray objected to vote on the
motion, and, under the rules, single
objection carried the motion over until
today. Senator Davis gave notice
that at the next executive session he
will present a motion for its publica-
ton. as all the essential Facts were
known and almost verbatim copy 0,
the treaty had been published in the
press Of the country.
The message OF the president was
not very long document. 1t dealt
with the historical facts concerning the
islands and showed that the United
States and Hawaii yearly grow more
closely bound to each other. This was
not really annexation, he said. but "a
continuation of existing relations with
closer bonds between people closely
related by blood and kindred ties.
Since 1920, says the president. the pro-
dominance OF the OnltcO states mas
been known. The sending OF the FIRST
envoy there brought the islands in
closer relations with the United States.
and their relations grow more firm by
succeeding events. At the time the
tripartite agreement was made for the
government OF Samoa, he said, Great
Britain and Germany wanted to In
clude Hawaii in the group over which
a prOtectorate was established. but the
suggestion was rejected by the United
States because the government held
treaty existed with relations between
placed the islands under the special
care OF this country, and this govern
ment could not allow any other coun-
try to interfere with the affairs OF ia.
wall. The annexation Of the islands.
said the president. and making them
part OF the United States was in ac-
cordance with the established policy
OF this country.
The president called attention to the
fact that legitimate and existing
government of Hawaii offered to annex
the islands to the United States in
1861. but on account Of what was DEEM
ed best policy the annexation was not
accepted by this country. He stated
that the United States virtually exer-
cised a protectorate over the islands
since the first American mission. and
guaranteed the autonomy of the gov
ernments of the groups. The islands
had been largely settled by our own
people. and our people were now inter-
ested in them. American interests pre-
dominated. and we had grown to con-
slider them under our own protection.
The present treaty was in the light OF
q contamination of what had practi-
cally been in effect In existence for
years.
under the Harrison administration.
President Mckinley said that the fall
ure to accept the proffer Of annexa-
ton In 1893, while not a subject of con-
graduation, was not wholly without its
value, as 1t had demonstrated that the
existing government could maintain IT.
self and no objection could be raised
of the authority OF the present govern
ment to negotiate the treaty or it's
right to yield the sovereignty of the
islands.
The treaty proved to be simple
document Of six articles, based In its
essential details upon the treaty nego-
tiated by Hon. John w. Foster during
the administration Of President Harri-
son. The islands are coded practically
without conditions. leaving the United
States to pursue its own course with
reference to their management. The
FIRST article reads as follows:
''The government Of the Hawaiian
islands hereby cedes from the date of
the exchange Of the ratifications of this
treaty. absolutely and without reserve
to the United States forever, all rights
OF sovereignty OF whatsoever kind in
and over the Hawaiian islands and
vor OF the United States every SOW
ereign right Of which. as an independ-
ent nation 1t Is now possessed, and
henceforth said Hawaiian islands shall
become and be an integral part Of the
territory Of the United States.
"Tho Hawaiian QOVarnmont Ce6eS tO
the United States the absolute owner
ship of all public lands. public build
ings. ports, harbors. Notifications, mil
itary and naval equipments and all
cifically provided. however, that exist
ing land laws of the United States shall
not apply to the public lands Of Ha-
wall, but that special law shall be
made from time to time for their dis
position. the proceeds OF any sales OF
these lands to be applied to educa-
tional purposes in these lands.
''The islands, for the present time
constitute a territory Of the United
States. their local laws remaining in
local legislature is provided for but the
veto power Is vested entirely In the
president Of the United States. A com.
mission of Ave persons. consisting OF
three Americans and two Hawaiians
to be nominated by the president and
confirmed by the senate. Is provided for
the purpose Of formulating the mode
Of government for the islands.
1.-The treaties Of the United States
with other countries are substituted fol-
the treaties of Hawaii. with the same
countries In the controlling interests
OF the islands.
Further immigration Of the Chinese
laborers to the islands is prohibited and
the laws restricting Chinese immigra-
tion to the United States are made to
apply to the prevention of Chinese re-
moving from Hawaii to this country.
''This country agrees to assume the
debt OF the island republic to the ex.
tent of $4,000. 0O0."
The five commissioners provided fol
in this treaty are expected to make rec
concentrations to congress as to new
laws and also in regard to the form OF
government. The present form OF loca
government is to continue in the ISL
ands for the present. except that the
president Of the United States is &c