The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-06-18
OF HAWAII.
The President &c Send TO the Senate q
Treaty Therefor-The Treaty Already
Drawn-Th Matter Quietly Canvxssed in
the Senate.

Washington. June IA treaty for the
annexation of Hawaii 10 the United
States will be sent 10 the senate soon
after the return of the president. unless
present plans are altered. The treaty has
been written and all its details were fully
agreed upon before the president and
Secretary Sherman left for the south.
The treaty is on the general lines Of the
treaty negotiated during the administra-
ton of President Harrison. and with
drawn by President Cleveland. 1t pro-
vides for annexation without the exaction
of conditions On the part of the Hawaiians
as to the form or government 10 be vouch
safed to Hawaii, leaving that question to
be entirely disposed of by the government
of the United States.
The United States will agree. however.
to assume the debt of the present Ha-
waiian government, but will come into
possession of all the Hawaiian crown
lands and other possessions.
Several senators have received definite
concerning the existence of
the treaty and are we'll acquainted with
its terms, though they refuse to discuss
the matter, having received the informa-
ton in cor fidenCe. The knowledge of the
existence of the treaty has been
Gated to members on the committee on
foreign relations. and also 10 members of
the finance committee.
In the republican caucuSeS the subject
of the treaty had been limited at, but in
rather a vague manner. Senators assert
ed that there were in progress negotia-
lions looking to annexation. but they
would not aver that they knew a treaty
had been drawn, nor would they give any
assurances that it would soon be sent to
the senate. In private conversation with
other senators. however. they gave infOr-
nation that was definite enough to satisfy
those with whom they talked. that the
treaty was not only to be sent in. but
that it was now already drawn and only
awaiting the signatures of the officers Of
the two governments to complete it.
1t is known that the approval of the
committee on foreign relations is assured.
as eight members of the committee have
approved its terms. This will enable the
committee to speedily report the treaty
to the senate SO that it may be taken up
Immediately after the tariff bill is dis
posed of.
! The senate has been canvassed to a
certain extent by senators faVoring an
neXaticn and while there are some sena-
| tors who are non-committal, the pa
ers of the proposition say they believe
that they can count upon the twO-thirds
vote necessary to insure ratification.
The especial friends of the president
about the senate say that the treaty has
been made in accordance with his views
and that it would have been sent in some
time ago, but for his eAactiOnS as to de-
tails.
| The present condition in Hawaii, it is
said, has had much to do with favorable
consideration of the treaty of annexation.
The present government of Hawaii and
the people who support it are very much
concerned about the japanese situation.
Private information received by Hawaii
ans in this city is 20 the effect that the
Japanese at any time may take some ac-
ton looking to acquisition of the island.
The 2dvices officially received are of
much the same tenor. The sentiment in
, the senate seems to be that Japan in no
way should control the islands or get a
foothold there. This argument has been
dSed to prevent even notice Of abrOgatlOn
of the present treaty in the tariff bill.
1t is said that such notice might De fol-
lowed by Japanese occupation and the is
lands could not be regained by the United
Staes without a struggle. In this connec
ton it is learned that the conversations
among the most prominent Japanese resi-
dents of Hawaii, which have been report
ed to the representatives of the islands in
Washington have been of a threatening
character. and that the American resi-
dents have more concern than has been
shown in the published accounts.
The officials at the state department
| steadfaStly refuse to make any statement
as to the negotiation Of a reaty providing
for the annexation Of Hawaii, and at the
Hawaiian legation the same silence is
observed. However. it is known that the
treaty, though not yet signed, is drawn
up, ready for signatures and as the presi-
| no reason to doubt that he will authorize
its signature. In this case, it is expected
that the will be sent to the
senate ori its action very soon. even within
a week, it is said, in some we'll informed
quarters.