Mexico weekly ledger., 1897-12-09
THE HAWAIIAN QUESTION.

Tinted states and OF the Republic of Hawaii.
having for its purpose the incorporation OF me
Hawaiian islands an integral part OF the
United States and under its sovereignty. The
senate having removed the Injunction OF secrecy.
although the treaty is still pending before tnat
body, the subject may be properly referred to
IL this message, because the necessary action
of the congress is required to determine by
legislation many details OF the eventual union
should the fact of annexation be accomplished,
as believe il should be.
Vital Interests of the United States.
While consistently disavowing, from o very
early period any aggressive policy OF aosorp-
tion IN regard to the Hawaiian group, long
series of declarations through three quarters
of a century has proclaimed the vital interest,"
of the United States In the independent
life of the islands and their intimate CONNER
cial dependence upon this country. AT the same
time it has been repeatedly asserted that in no
event could the entity of Hawaiian statehood
cease by the passage of the islands under the
domination or influence of another power than
| the United States. Under these circumstances
| the logic OF events required that annexation,
| ripeaess of time come about the result OF
| the strengthening of the ties that bind us to
| those islands and be realized by the free Will
of the Hawaiian state
Ratified by the Hawaiian Republic.
| That treaty was unanimously ratified with
out amendment by the senate and president OF
| the Republic of Hawaii on the 10th OF Septem-
| Der last. and only awaits the favorable action
Of the American senate to effect the complete
| absorption of the islands into the domain OF
| such union shall be; the political relations
| thereof to the United States. the character OF
| the local administrations; the quality ahd de-
| gree of the elcc i've franchise Of the
| Inhabitants; the extension 0f the federal laws
| TO the territory or the enactment of special
| laws to lit the peculiar condition thereof, the
| regulation. If need be, OF the labor system
| therein, and all matters which the treaty has
| wisely relegated to the congress
Matters for Congress to Pass Upon.
| If the treaty is confirmed, as every considera
| tion of dignity and honor requires, the wisdom
of congress viii see to it that, avoiding abrupt
l Assimilation of elements perbapS hardly vet
| lifted to share in the highest franchises
Of citizenship, and having due re-
the most just provisions for self-rule
in local matters with the largest political lib
| accorded to the Hawaiians. No less is due to a
| people who, after nearly five years of demon
| Strated tapacity to fulfill the obligations of
| self-governing statehood, come Of their free
will TO merge their destinies in our body polite
| The Hawaiian ia panese Dispute.
| The questions which have arisen between
Japan and Hawaii by reason OF the treatment
| OF apanese laoofers eLnigratlng TO the lslanos
| under the Hawaian-Japanese convention of
| negotiation. This government has not been in
Vitet to mediate, and, on the other hand, has
| sought no intervention in that matter further
| than to eyince its kindlest disposition toward
| such a speedy and direct adjustment by the
two sovereign states in interest Is shall COM
port with equity and honor.
| Japan's Approximations A1Iayed.
1t is gratifying to learn that the apprehen-
sions at first displayed on the part OF Japan lest
| the cessation OF hawaii S national life through
| annexation might impair privileges to which
| Japan honorably laid claim, have given place
to confidence in the uprightness of this govern
| with all possible Interior questions in the
| broadcast spirit of friendliness.
| Nicaragua, Salvador and Costa Rlca.
| AS to the representation of this government
to Nicaragua, Salvador and Costa Rica, have
| concluded that Mr. William L. Merry, con-
firIned as minister of the United States to the
| states of Nicaragua, Salvador and Costa Rtca,
shall proceed to San Jose, Costa Rica,
and there temporarily establish the
oI to tSose @ three states took this se scsion
| for what regarded as the paramount interests
of this country. 1t was developed upon an in
| governor of Nicaragua, while not unwilling to
receive Mr. Merry in his diplomatic quality,
| concluded June 20, 1895, whereby that republic
and those of Salvador and Honduras, forming
| what is known as the Greater Republic of Gen.
| trail America had surrendered to the repre-
| sentative diet thereof their right to receive
| and send diplomatic agents The diet was not
willing to accept him because he was not ac-
| credited TO that body. L could not accredit him
ta Ped S nos the Er or s
present minister at Managua, has been directed
| to present his letters Of recall
| Accredited to Guatemala and Honduras.
Mr.. W. Godfrey Hunter has likewise been ac-
credited to the governments of Guatemala and
| Honduras, the same as his predecessor.
Guatemala is not member of the Greater
Should this latter government decline to receive
| him, he has been Instructed to report this fact
to his government and await its further instruc-
| tions.
| The Nicaragusn Canal.
| A subject of large Importance to our country
| an increasing appreciation on the part OF the
people is the completion of the great highway
| of trade between the Atlantic and Pacific known
| as the Nicaraguan canal. Its utility and value
| to American commerce is universally admitted.
The commission appointed under date Of July
| "a last to continue the surveys and examina-
tions authorized by the act approved March 2
N Fh ,fn a fn fnnci-
bility and cost of construction of the Nicara-
| guam canal with a view Of making complete
plans, entire work of construction of such
canal' is now employed In the undertaking. In
| the future shall take occasion to transmit to
congress the report of this commission, making
| at the same tlme such further suggestions as
| may then seem advisable
International Bi-MetaIIism.
Under the provisions of the act of congress
| approved March 3, 1897, for the promotion of an
| international agreement respecting bi-metal-
lism, appointed on the 14th day of April, 1897
Adlai Z. Stevenson, of Illinois, and Hon.
| Charles j. Paine, of Massachusetts, as special
ENJOYS to represent the United States. They
concurrence and cooperation Of European
countries in the international settlement OF the
question but up TO this time have not been
able to secure an agreement contemplated by
| their mission.
/ Not Alone in Our Desire.
/ The gratifying action of our great sister re-
public OF France in joining this country in the
attempt to bring about an agreement among
the principal commercial nations OF Europe,
| whereby a fixed and relative value between
gold and silver shall be secured furnishes as
| surance that we are not alone among the larger
nations of the world in realizing the interna-
tional character of the problem and in the de-
| sire of reaching some wise and practical solu-
| tion of it. The British government has
published resume OF the steps taken jointly by
the French ambassador in London and the spe-
cial ENJOYS OF the United States, with whom
| our envoy at London actively co-operated in
the presentation of this subject to her majesty
| government
British Resume VIII be Laid Before Con-
gress
This will be laid before congress Our spe-
cial envoys have not mtde their inal report, as
| further negotiations between the representa-
| OF other countries are pending and in con-
| temptation. They believe that doubts which
| have been raised in certain quarters respecting
| the question of maintaining the stability of the
| parity between the metals, and kindred ques-
| tions.
May Yet Result In an Agreement.
| Meanwhile it gives me satisfaction to state
that the special ENJOYS have already demon
the subject. and it Is to be earnestly hoped that
| their labors may result in an international
agreement which will bring about recognition
| OF both gold and silver as money upon such
| terms and with such safeguards as win secure
| the use OF both metals upon basis which shall
| work no injustice to any class of our citizens.
Reciprocity Negotiations
| In order to execute as early as possible the
provisions of the third and fourth sections of
l
| poinsed Hon. John A Kasson of Iowa a spe-
| cial commissioner plenipotentiary TO undertake
| the requisite negotiations with foreign coun-
| tries desiring TO avail themselves of these pro-
| visions. The negotiations are now pro-
eeedlng with several governments, both
European and American. 1t is believed that by
| careful exercise of the powers con-
| ferred by that act some grievances OF our own
and of other countries in our mutual trade rela-
| tions may be either removed or largely alleyf-
| ated, and that the volume of our commercial
exchanges may be enlarged, with advantage to
both contracting parties.
Merchant Marine Should be improved ana
Enlarged.
| Most desirable from every standpoint of ma
! tenal interest and patriotism is the effort To
extend our foreign commerce. To this end our
| merchant marine should be improved and en-
| larged. We should do our full share OF the car
1 rying trade OF the world. We do not do
| Il now. We should be the laggard no longer
The inferiority of our merchant marine is Justly
humlliattng to the national pride. The govern
ment, by every proper constitutional means
should aid in making our ships familiar visitors
| at every commercial port In the world thus
opening up new and valuable markets to the
| surplus products of the farm and factory.
| The Sealing Question.
The efforts which had been made during the
| two previous years by my predecessor to secure
| better protection to the fur seals In the North
| an early date by this administration and have
| been pursued With earnestness. Upon nv iny!t-
| alton the governments of Japan and Russia sent
| delegates TO Washington, and an inter
| national conference was held during the
| months of October and November last
wherein II was upanihsoasIy agreed that under
me ekisting regulations this species OF useful