The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-12-07
ANNEXATION OF HAWAII.

support and approval of the civiiized
world"
ANNEXATION OF HAWAII.
The President next takes up the SUD
iect of the annexation or HAWAII. ne
refers to this subject because tee senate
has made public the treaty now penang,
and legislation is required TO settle many
details of the eventual union, should an
nexation be accomplished, as ne peiieVes
il should be. Rapidly reviewing the ar
sument he has heretofore made in favor
of annexation, the President says:
"If the treaty is confined as every
consideration of dignity and honor re-
auires, the wisdom of Congress will see
to it that, avoiding abrupt assimilation
of elements, perhaps hardly yet fitted
to share in the highest franchises of
citizenship, and having due regard to the
geographical conditions, the most Just
provisions for self-rule in local matters,
with the largest political liberties as an
integral part of our nation, will be ac-
corded to the Bawaiidus. No less IS
due to a people VINO, after nearly hVe
years of demonstrated capacity to RUM
the obligations of self-governing state
hood, come of their free will to merge
their destinies in our body-poitic.'
OF the dispute bewteen Japan ana
Hawaii, growing out of the labor I'M
migration. the President says:
"The issue is now in satisfactory state
of settlement by negotiation. This gov
eminent has not been invited to medl-
ate, nor has it sought to intervene, eX-
cept to evince its kindly disposition
towards a speedy, equitable and honor
able settlement. 1t is also gratifying to
learn that Japan is no longer apprehen-
siye through annexation, of the loss or
impairment of her privileges, but places
confidence in the uprightness of this
government and its purpose to deal with
all possible Interior questions in the
broadcast spirit of frendliness."
The President next refers to the de-
clination of Nicaragua to receive MIN
ister Merry, because Of the compact
creating the Greater Republic of Central
America. He said he could not accredi.
Mr.. Merry to the Diet, because the APP
preparation law did not permit It.
Meanwhile Mr.. Baker, the present Min
lister to Managua, Nicaragua, has been
directed to present his letters of recall.
Mr.. w. Godfrey Hunter is likewise
situated as to Guatemala and Honduras.
Guatemala is not member of the
Greater Republic, but Honduras is, and
should the latter government decline TO
receive him he viii await instructions"
The President makes only the brief
est reference to the Nicaragua canal as
a subject Of large Importance to our
country and increasing appreciation on
the part of the people. He says that the
last commission is now making its in
vestigations, and when he transmits his
report to Congress he viii make further
suggestions on the subject.
THE BIMETALDIC COMMISSION.
Coming to the question Of an inter
national coinage agreement, the Presl-
dent states that the special ENJOYS rep
resenting the United States in the eff
fort to secure such an agreement nave
been diligent in their effort to obtain
the cooperation Of European countries,
but that up to this time have not been
able to secure an agreement contem-
plated by their mission. The crafty
ing action Of France in joining this
country in the effort is regarded as an
assurance that We are not alone among
the larger nations of the world in the
desire to reach some practical solution
of the problem. OF the future of the
negotiations the President says:
ouT SIStId1 GuNOSS AdhS nut IiuI
their final report, as further negotia-
tons between the representatives of this
government and the governments of
other countries are pending and in con-
temptation. They believe that doubts
which have been raised in certain quar-
tiers respecting the position of maintain
ing the stability of the parity between
the metals and kindred questions may
yet be solved by further negotiations.
Meanwhile, it gives me satisfaction
to state that the special ENJOYS have
already demonstrated their ability and
fitness to deal with the subject, and it
is earnestly to be hoped that their
labors may result in an international
agreement which will bring about recog
milton of both gold and silver as money
upon such terms and with such safe
guards as will secure the use of both
metals upon a basis which shall work
no injustice to any class of our citizens"
Turning to the subject of reciprocity,
the President says that he has APP
pointed John A. Kasson, of Iowa, as a
special commissioner to undertake the
negotiations, under the terms of the
tariff act He says:
'"The negotiations are now proceed
tnt with several governments, both
Euhpean and American. 1t is believed
thatay a careful exercise Of the powers
conferred by that act some grievances
of our pwn and of other countries in
our mutual trade relations may be
either remyed or largely alleviated, and
that the vsume of our commercial ex-
changes ma. be enlarged, with advan-
tage to both attracting parties.
"Most deslrble from every stand
point of nation, interest and patriot
ism is the effort . extend our foreign
commerce. To tn. end our merchant
marine should beimproyed and en-
larged. We should . our full share of
the carrying trade OF he world We do
not do, it now. we sould be the lag
gard no longer. The .feriority Of our
merchant marine is july humiliating
to the national pride. II government,
by every proper constitutional means,
should ala IN making our hips familiar
visitors at every commerce. port Of the