The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-11-23
HAWAIIAN ANNEXATION
SENATOR MORGAN GIVES HIS
VIEWS CIV THE SUBJECT

He Is En,hn-iassic Over the Proposition Of
Ann-xa'i"n The Great Importance ara
Stra.-g,c Point,n Case of war-The Com
m-rc,ai Advantng. y Ia bee Derived
Population LIS, obj c'i"nabls Than
Many W. Admit from Europa
Washington, November Ex-senator
Morgan, of Alabama, member Of the
committee on foreign relations, has
reached here on his return from Hon
olulu, where he went to post himself
on the annexation question. For the
first time he submitted himself today
to an interview on the result OF his
trip, and said:
my conclusions, based on my obser-
v~ations. are only a full confirmation or
wha I had previously believed-that it
is our national duty, and will be in
every way advantageous to all con-
cerned to annex Hawaii to this coun-
try. 1 have studied the question from
the most authentic and reliable sources.
The settlement of an outpost of the
United States within the tropics and
1900 miles from our coast challenges
the inquiry whether such action is nee
essary to our national welfare. Our
northwestern possessions on the Pacific
along the Aleutian archipelago are
over 900 miles west of Honolulu.
This gives US control Of practically the
entire American coast Of the north
Pacific.
THE Intervention of the British pos
sessions from the straits of Fuca to
the southern boundary Of Alaska
-A@-@~ f~- 1,r~ noo11-
patton of Hawaii. Without imputlng
to Great Britain any other motive thai
to extend her national policy Of COM
- mercial conquest it seems very obvious
that if she should acquire DOMINION OF
Hawaii and Open and fortify Pearl har-
Dor, her military fortress at Esquimalt,
on the island Of Vancouver, co-operat-
ing, would cut our coast line in two and
would leave US incumbered with a mass
OF territory in Alaska, whose defense
would be almost impossible and the
enormous advantage of which would be
lost to us. The Vancouver coal fields
would give the British navy almost ir-
resistable advantages in war and viz
tual dominion over in time
Of peace.
"Beginning with Key West We have
annexed the entire gulf coast to the
Rio Grande by purchase OF territory,
and extending up the Rio Grande
across the continent to the Pacific we
have annexed all the territory lying to
the north Of that line and nave an
nexed the entire Pacific coast except
the frontage Of 600 mile conceded to
Great Britain. This rapi0 and vast
expansion has contributed much to CIV
uization and in none Of the transac-
lions have we cause for regret. l have
no fears OF such expansion, especially
as to possession in the Pacific in those
islands that constitute a part or the
geographical and commercial system
of the North American continent
There would not be the slightest diff
Guilty in the character, condition OF
wishes Of the $1,000 native people OF
Hawaii. They are far better adapted
to American citizenship than many mil.
lions Of these whom we have welcomed
here from southern Europe and better
adapted than the Indians, Mexlcans
and native Alaskans.
Except among a few who expec'
personal favors and advancement IRON
e-esta OF the royal govern
ment, the general booy Oh the laval
population will rejoice in the honor
safety, peace and prosperity which an
nexation will bring.
Morally and practically, the s1len
invasion Of Hawaii from the Orlen
Gapan) violates all the declared polio.
and often expressed purpose OF tn
United States, to protect those peopi
against foreign interference. Inc Is
lands as a national possession Woul
richly reward US for expenditure or
hundred millions. The ~annexatlo
would cost us nothing and Will not a
present excite the open opposition 9
any nation"
is-no need Of little chi1dre
no;or tortnrp6 nv Scal0 head, eCZom