Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1897-06-24

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:
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. Z treaty for the an
nexation of the Republic Of Hawaii to the
United States, signed in this capital by the
plenipotentiaries of the parties on the 10th
ing Of the subject transmit, in addition, a
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
1920 by sending to the Islands Il representa-
tive agent of the United States. 1t found
further expression by the signature of a
treaty OF friendship, commerce and nayiga-
ton with the King In 1S26-the first inter-
national compact negotiated by Hawaii 1t
was signally announced in 1913. when the
Intervention of the United States CAUSED the
British Government to disayow seizure of
the Sandwich Islands by British naval
commander and to recognize them by treaty
as an independent state, renouncing forever
any purpose of annexing the islands or exert
ing a protectorate over them.
I'm 1851 the cession of the Hawaiian King
dom to the United States was formally offer
cd, and although not then accepted, this
Government proclaimed it's duty to Dreserye
alike the honor and dignity of the United
States and the safety of the Government Of
til the outbreak Of the war in 1861 the policy
of the United States toward Hawaii and Of
the Hawaiian sovereignty toward the Uni
ted States was eSemplifed by continued ne
gotations for annexation or for a reserved
commercial union. The latter alternative
was at length accomplished by the reciproc-
ity treaty of 1873, the provisions of which
were renewed and expanded by the conven-
tion of 1884 embracing the perpetual ces-
sion to the United States of the harbor Of
Pearl River in the Island Of Oahu. In 1888
traiity 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 1920 to 1888 the course Of
the United States toward the Hawaiian ISL
ands 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 Ia waiian ter
ritory to the United States no new scheme,
but It is the inevitable consequence of the
relation steadfastly maintained with that
mid Pacific domain for three-puarters of a
century. Its accomplishment, despite sue
cessive denials and postponements. has been
merely question Of time, While its failure
In 1859 may not be cause of congratula-
ton, it is certainly proof Of the disinter-
estedness Of the United States, the delay of
four years having abundanty sufficed to es-
tablish the right and the ability of the Re-
public of Hawaii to enter, as a sovereign
contractant, upon d conventional union with
the United States, thus realizing a purpose
held by the Hawaiian people and proclaim
ed by successive Hawaiian governments
through seventy years of their virtual indie
pendence upon the benevolent protection of
the United States. Under such circun-
stances, annexation Is not u change; it Is a
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 administra-
tive details of incorporation are necessarily
left to the wisdom Of the Congress. and /
cannot doubt, when the function Of the con-
stitutional treaty -making power shall have
been accomplished. the duty 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.