The Hocking sentinel. [volume] (Logan, Ohio) 1871-1906, 1897-06-24
M'KINLEY'S MESSAGE.
Com mmunication Which Accompanie
the Treaty to the Senate.

SOnl 1CatIOn w H1Cn
the Treaty to the Senate.
The following is the text of the mes
sage s,nt to the Senate by President Nc
Kinley to accompany the Hawaiian
treaty:
To the Senate of the United States: I
transmit herewith to the Senate, In order
that after due consideration the constitu-
tional function of advice and consent may be
exercised by that body. a treaty for the an
neXation Of the Republic of Hawaii to the
United States, signed in this capita! by the
plenipotentiaries of the parties on the 10th
of June instant. For the better understand
Ing Of the subject l transmit in addition, n
report of the Secretary of State briefly re-
viewing the negotiation which has led to this
important result.
The incorporation of the Hawaiian Islands
into the body polite Of the United States is
the necessary and fitting sequel to the chain
of events which, from very early period
of our history. has controlled the intercourse
and prescribed the association of the United
States and the Hawaiian Islands. The pre-
dominance of American interests In that
neighboring territory was first asserted In
1920 by sending to the islands representa-
tive agent of the United States. 1t found
further expression by the signature OF a
treaty of friendship. commerce and naviga-
ton with the King in 1S26-the first inter
national compact negotiated by Hawaii. 1t
was s'gnally announced in 1913, when the
intervention of the United States caused the
British Government to disavow seizure of
the Sandwich Islands by 1t British naval
commander and to recognize them by treaty
as an Independent state. renouncing forever
any purpose Of annexing the islands or exert
Ing protectorate over them.
In 1851 the cesslon of the Hawaiian King
dom to the United States was formally offer
ed, and, although not then accepted. this
Government proclaimed its duty to preserve
alike the honor and dignity of the United
States and the safety of the Government of
the Hawaiian Islands From this time un-
tbfa mt NJ la wa In "
of the United States toward Hawaii and of
the Hawaiian sovereignty toward the Uni
ted States was eXemplitied by continued ne
gotiations for annexation nr for Il reserved
commercial union. The latter alternative
! was at length accomplished by the reciprOc.
ity treaty of 1879. the provisions of which
were renewed and expanded by the conven-
ton of 1854, embracing the perpetual ces-
sion to the United States OF the harbor of
Pearl River In the Island Of Oahu. In 1888
a proposal for the joint guaranty of the neu-
trality OF the Hawaiian Islands by the Uni
ted States, Germany and Great Britain was
declined on the announced ground that the
relation of the United States TO the islands
was sufficient for the end in view.
In brief. from 1870 to 1893 the course of
the United States toward the Hawaiian Isl
nnds has consistently favored their autono-
nous welfare, with the exclusion Of all for
eign influences save our own to the extent
Of upholding eventual annexation as the
necessary outcome of that policy.
Not only Is the union of the Hawaiian ter
rlt0ry TO the United StateS no new scheme.
but it is tie Inevitable consequence of the
relation Steadfastly maintained with that
nid-Pacitc domain for three-auarters of a
century. Its accomplishment. despite sue
cessive denia!s and postponements has been
merely question of time. While its failure
In 1898 may not be n cause of congratula-
ton, it is certainly = proof Of the disnter-
estedness of the United States. the delay of
four years having abundantly sufficed to es.
tablish the right and the ability of the Re
public of Hawaii TO enter, as sovereign
contractant. upon a conventional union with
the United States. thus realizing purpose
held by tbe Hawaiian people and proclaim
ed by successive Hawaiian governments
through seventy years of their virtual indie
pendcncc upon the benevolent projection Of
the United States. Under such circum-
stances. annexation is not change; it is Il
consummation.
The report of the Secretary Of State ex-
hibits the character and course of the re-
cent negotiations and the features of the
treaty itself. The organic and admnistra-
tive details of Incorporation are necessarily
left 10 the wisdom of the Congress. and
cannot doubt. when the function of the CON
stitutionsl treaty making power shall have
been accomplished the dniy of the national
legislature in the case Will be performed
with the largest regard for the Interest OF
this rich insular domain and for the welfare
Of the inhabitants thereof.
WILLIAM M'KINLEY.