The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-18

american interests IN that neighbcrtrg
territory was first asserted in I'D by send
iEg 20 the islands 3 representative agent
OF the United States Il found further ex-
preston by the signature Of treaty Of
friendship. commerce and navigation with
compact negotiated by Hawaii. 1t
Was signally announced In isss.
WREN the Intervention OF the United
states causes; the British gov-
eminent 10 dis..vow the seizure OF the
sandwich Islands by a British naval COM
marre- and TO recognize them by treaty
as an Independent state, renounciHg for
ever any purpose of annexsng the islands
or exertiug a protectorate over them. In
M the cessicn of the Hawaiian Kingdom
TO the United States was formally offered.
and although not then accepted. this gov
erument proclaimed its duty 10 preserve
alike the honor and dignity OF the United
states and the safety Of the government
OF the Hawaiian islands. From this time
until the outbreak of the war in 1881 the
policy Of the United States toward Hawaii
and Of the Hawaiian sovereign toward the
United states was sxempiified by contin
ed negotiations for annexation or for a
reserved commercial union. The fatter
alternative was at length accomplished by
the reciprocity treaty Of 1873. the pro-
visions Of which were renewed and ex-
panded by the congress of 1884. embrae-
Ing the perpetual cession to the United
States Of the harhor Of Pearl river. sn the
Island Of Oahu. In iSSs Il proposal for the
joint guaranty of the neutrality of the
Hawaiian islands by the United States.
Germany ard Great Britain was declined
on the announced ground that the rela-
tion of the United States to the Island was
sufficient for the end In view. In brief.
from $50 to 1893, the course of the United
states toward the Hawaiian islands had
consistently favored their autonomous well
fare with the exclusion of all foreign In
huence save our own. to the extent of up
holding eventual annexation as the neees-
sary outcome OF that policy.
Not only is the union of the Hawaiian
territory to the United States no new
scheme. but ii is the inevitable conse-
Quence of the relation steadfastly main-
tanned with that mid-Pacisic domain for
three-quarters of century. Its accom-
phshment despite successive deniais aad
postponements has been merely a ques-
tcn of time. While its failure In lsa3 may
not he a cause of congratuia,ion, II is GER
tainly proof of the oisinterestedness OF
the United States. the delay of four years
having abundantly susficed TO establish
the right and ability Of the republic OF
Hawaii TO enter as a sovereign contractant
upon a conventional union with the Unit
cd States. thus realizing purpose held by
the Hawaiian people and proclaimed by
successive Hawaiian governments through
some seventy years of their virtual de-
pendence upon the benevolent protection
of the United States. Under such circum-
stances annexation is not change: 1t is
a consummation. The report of the secre-
ta-y of state exhibits the character and
course of the recent negotiations and the
features OF the treaty itself. The organ
ization and administrative details of In
corporation are necessarily left to the
wisdom of congress, and l cannot doubt.
when the function OF the constitutional
treaty-maktnG power shall have been ac-
compiished. the duty Of the national leg
isiature in the case will be performed with
the largest regard for tho interest of this
rich insuiar domain and for the welfare
of the inhabitants thereof.
''WM. MkINLEY.
Executive Mansion. Washington. d. c.,
June 16 1897