The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1897-03-11
AT WASHINGTON.
Palmer'S Budget Of Interesting
Matter.
Hatch Meets Smith-The Non-o6iciul
Annexation Representatives
McKinley's Cold Shoulder
No Extension of Territory
Beyond Continental
Limit.
Ed. The INDEpENDENT:-


The scaffold on which the present
administration will expire which is
at the same moment the platform
on which the new one will take its
stand, is already erected and
Washington has put on its holiday
attire. Hotels are receiving guests
whose apartments we're engaged last
November, and fair weather on the
fourth of March is the only clement
needed to insure a happy celebra-
tion.
The morning newspaper tells US
that the representatives OF Hawaii
will press for action after March 4.
Hon. Francis M. Hatch, the Min
lister from Hawaii, has returned to
the city from Chicago. While there
he met Attorney. General Smith of
Hawaii, who recently arrived in this
country with Lorrin A. Thurston,
formerly the Hawaiian representa-
| tive here.
Mr.. Hatch, speaking of the pres
ence Of these two gentlemen in the
United States, said they were here
in their individual capacity and not
on an official mission. While in this
country they will, no doubt, en-
deavor to ascertain the sentiments
of officials and others regarding the
annexation of the islands TO the
United States, but Minister Hatch
was careful to point out that they
are not here in any official capacity.
Concerning the general subject of
annexation, it is believed the Hawai-
ians will, when the time seems ripe,
seek an opportunity to press the
matter before the incoming admin
istration.
If the object OF these representa-
tives who are not HawaiiGnS, but the
agents of a small minority OF those
OF alien blood dwelling at Honolulu,
was to secure an advance interview
with the incoming President, they
must have been singularly disap-
pointed, because by reason OF a
severe cold, Mr.. Mckinley has of
late denied himself to all visitors.
But had they been able to meet
Major Mckinley it is the general
impression that they would have re-
ceived but poor encouragement.
For that gentleman, since his elec-
tion has authorized a semi-offical
declaration sent from Canto to all
the newspapers that there would be
no departure from the invariable
policy of the United States in de,
clining to extend its territory be-
yond continental limits, Further
his Secretary of State, Senator Sher-
man, has pronounced in even
stronger language against the.annex'
alton Of the Hawaiian Islands
These words of Mr.. Sherman have
been reprinted quite extensively
within a week by newspapers who
have in the past opposed the policy
Of Mr.. Cleveland. In that sentence
lies much OF the interest manifested
by Congress in Hawaii; that un
fortunate country was simply thC
battle-ground of conflict between
the executive and deliberative forces
OF the government; with Presiden
McKinley's accession the disagree
ment ceases, and those who hopeC
to keep the United States in thu
midst of turmoil on the subjec
would really have stood bette
chance suposing that Mr.. Cleveland
and not Mr.. Mckinley were to fiji
the pr esidential chair for the fou
coming years.
Her Majesty has spent the time O
late quietly and pleasantly at he
new apartments which were fun
nished expressly for her occupanc