The islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1891-1899, 1897-06-24
THE TREATY SIGNED
First Step Toward the An.
nexation of Hawaii.
PROVISIONS OF THE TREATY
Local Legislature will Make the Laws
Which Must Then Be Approved
by the President.

Washington, June 18.-Representa-
tives of the governments OF the United
States and Hawaii gathered at the state
department this morning and signed
the treaty, which, if ratified, will
make the little island republic part
of the United States. There were two
drafts of the treaty, one to be held by
each party and one to be exchanged in
the usual form. Secretary Sherman
signed the first copy to be held, while
Minister Hatch signed the Hawaiian
copy of the treaty, his fellow-commis-
sioners, Messrs. Thurston and Kinney,
coming next in order. The treaties
were sealed by Assistant Secretary
Craddock, and copies were handed the
respective custodians, and the treaty
was made. as far as the executive
branch of the government could effect it.
The Japanese government has filed a
protest against the Hawaiian treaty,
on the ground that it promises to lead
to a breach Of treaty stipulations be-
tween Japan and Hawaii.
At the japanese legation, the docu-
m ent filed by the japanese minister is
not regarded as protest against the
Hawaiian treaty, but is considered as a
request for information. There APP
pears, however, to be no doubt that,
as soon as Japan is notified officially of
the signing of the convention, the gov
eminent of the United States will be
informed that Japan expects and de-
mands the recognition of all the rights
and privileges which she now enjoys
under the existing treaties with Ha.
wall.
While peaceful annexation of the Ha-
waiian islands would abrogate the ex-
listing treaties of that country with for
eign powers, Japan probably would
contend that the United States must
assume and respect Hawaii's obliga-
tions to foreign powers.
1t is also Japanese contention that
under the new treaty to 60 into effect
in 1899, special legislation can be en-
acted to exclude their citizens, as has
been done to Chinese under the Chinese
exclusion act.
The treaty provides that the govern.
ment of the islands cede to the United
States absolutely and forever all rights
of sovereignty in and over the Hawaiian
islands and its dependencies, and that
these islands shall become an integral
part of the territory of the United
States. The government of Hawaii
also cedes to the United States all
public lands, public buildings and pub
lie property Of every description.
Congress shall enact special laws to
govern the disposition of the lands Of
the Hawaiian islands. All revenue
from these lands shall be used solely
for the benefit of the inhabitants of the
Hawaiian islands, for educational and
other public purposes. The Hawaiian
islands shall be admitted into the
Union as territory of the United
States, it's local laws to be passed by
the local legislature, but subject to the
approval of the president. Until con-
gress shall apply the laws of the United
States to the islands the present laws
of Hawaii are to govern the islands.
The present treaties and laws govern
ing Hawaiian commercial relations with
foreign nations shall remain in force
until congress shall take action.
Further immigration OF Chinese
laborers is prohibited pending congress
sional action. The entry of Chinese
from Hawaii into the United States is
likewise prohibited. The United States
assumes the public debt of Hawaii, but
with the stipulation that this liability
shall not exceed "a, 100000. The
treaty, before it becomes effective,
shall be ratified by proper authorities
of the United States and Hawaii. No
mention is made of any gratultY to
Liliuokalani or Kaiulani.