Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-11-19
MORGAN ON HAWAII.
THE ALABAMA SENATOR SUBMITS
TO AN INTERVIEW.
OUR DUTY TO ANNEX THE ISLANDS.
I'm Every Way 1t Would BE Advanta-
geous to All Concerned for Us to
Do so-No Difficulties in the
Way.

WASHINGTON, November Ex-senator
Morgan, of Alabama, member of the COM
mittee on Foreign Relations. has reached
here on his return from Honolulu, where
he went to post himself on the annexation
question. For the first timesh he submit
ted himself to-day to an interview on the
result of his trip, and said:
my conclusions, based on my observa-
lions, are only a full confirmation or
what I bad previously believed-that 1t
is our national duty. and will be In every
way advantageous TO all concerned, 10
annex Hawaii to this country. 1 nave
studied the question from the most au-
thert!c and reliable sources. The estap-
lishment of an outpost OF the united
States within the tropics. and 2,Zoo miles
from our coast, challenges the inquiry
whether such action is necessary TO our
national welfare. Our northwestern pos
sessions on the Pacific, along the Aleu-
tan archipelago. are over 1000 miles west
OF Honolulu This gives us control Oh
practically the entire American coast OF
the North Pacific.
.The intervention Of the British pos
sessions from the Straits of F'uca TO the
northern boundary of Alaska creates q
,,owarfuI reason for our occupation OF
Hawaii. Without imputing TO Great bri-
tain any other motive than TO extend her
national policy Of commercial CONQUEST,
a. seems very obvious that II she should
acquire Hawaii and open ana ioruiy
pearl Harbor, her military fortress at
Fsouimault, on the Island or vancouver
co-operating, would cut our coast Inc IN
two and would leave US incumDered Win
a mass of territory in Alaska. whose ue,
fence would be almost impossipie' anu
the enormous advantage OF WHICH "ou,t
~ ,ost 70 us. The Vancouver coal-helds
would give the British navy almost Iiie,
.,st,bla advantage in war, and virtual
sn,s,,rion over commerce in time OF peace.
"Peginning with Key West, we nave
raxsd the entire Gulf boast to the Rio
Cronde by purchase of territory, and
on,andinp up the Rio Grande across the
Continentto the Pacific, we have annexed
ali the Territory lying 10 the north OF
that line. and have annexed the entire
pao,ec coast. except the frontage Oh
COO miles conceded to Great Britain. This
mid and vast expansion has contributed
.a,,ch IN civilization, and in none or the
,ransactIons have we cause for regret.
have no fears in such expansion. especi-
al,v as to possessions in the Pacific. and
IN those islands that constitute a part
~ the geographical and commercial sys-
tern of the North American Continent.
There would not be the slightest difficulty
In the character, condition, or wishes OF
The a o0O native people OF Hawaii. They
are far better adapted to American
citizenship than many millions OF those
whom we have welcomed here from
Southern Europe. and better adapted than
the Indians, Mexicans, and native Alas
kans.
.Except among the few who expect per-
sonal fayors and advancement from re-
es,ablishment Of the royal government.
the general body Of the Hawaiian peo-
ME will rejoice In the honor. safety. peace,
and prosperity which annexation viii
br,nr. Morally and practically. the silent
,nvaslon of Hawaii from the Orient (ths
Jananexe) violates ell the declared poll
cies and often expressed purpose of the
United States TO protect those people
aeainst foreign interference. Thd islands
az 4 national possession would richly re-
ward US for the expenditure OF . hundred