The copper country evening news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 18??-1907, 1897-06-18
MESSAGE ON HAW All.
Text of. the Presidents Communi.
cation to the Senate.
NEGOTIATIONS FOR ANNEXATION

Policy of This Country Ever Since the
neXation-Republican Members of the
Finance Committee of the senate Hold
Caucus on the Cotton Schedule of the
Tariff Bill-Capital City Items.
Washington, June lS.-The following
is the full text of the message sent 10
the senate by President Mckinley 10
accompany the Hawaiian treaty:
ITO the Senate Of the United States:
transmit herewith to the senate in order
that after due consideration the con-
stitutional function of advice and con-
sent may be exercised by that body, a
treaty for the annexation of the repub-
lie of Hawaii TO the United States.
signed in this Capitol by the plenipoten-
tiaries of the parties on the 10th of
June instant
For the better understanding Of the
subject l transmit in addition, report
of the secretary, briefly reviewing the
negotiation which has led to this i'm
portant result.
THE Incorporation of the Hawaiian
islands into the body polite of the Unit
quel to the chain Of events which from
a very early period of our history has
controlled the intercourse and prescribed
the association of the United States and
the Hawaiian islands. The predominance
of American interests in that neighbor-
ing territory was first assorted in 1920 by
sending TO the islands a representative
agent Of the United States 1t found
further expression by the signature Of
treaty Of friendship, commerce and
navigation with the king in 1S26-the
first international compact negotiated
by Hawaii. 1t was signally announced
in lSi3, when the Intervention of the
United States caused the British gov
ernment to disavow the seizure of the
Sandwich islands by a British naval
commander and to recognize them by
treaty as an Independent state, renounc-
ing forever any purpose of annexing
the islands or eXerting a protectorate
over them. In 1858 the cession of the
Hawaiian kingdom to the United States
was formally offered, and although not
then accepted, this government pro-
claimed it's duty to preserve alike the
honor and dignity Of the United States
Hawaiian islands.
Negotiations for Annexation.
From this time until the outbreak of
the war in 1861 the policy of the United
States toward Hawaii and of the Ha-
waiian sovereignty toward the United
States was eXenplfied by continued
negotiations for annexation or for re-
served commercial union. The latter
alternative was at length accomplished
by the reciprocity treaty of 1875. the
provisions of which were renewed and
expanded hY the convention Of 1884. en-
bracing the perpetual cession TO the
United States of the harbor of Pearl
river i'm the island of Oahu In 1888 a
proposal for the Joint guaranty of the
neutrality of the Hawaiian islands by
the United States, Germany and Great
Britain was declined on the announced
ground that he relation of the United
States to the islands was sufficient for
the end in view. In brief. from 1920 to
1893 the course of the United states
toward the Hawaiian islands has con-
sistently favored their autonomous well
fare with the exclusion of all foreign
influences save our own to the extent
OF upholdng eventual annexation as the
necessary outcome of that policy. Not
only is the union of the Hawaiian ter
rtory to the United States no new
scheme, but 1t is the inevitable conse-
ouence of the relation steadfastly main
tained with that mid pacific domain fol-
three quarters Of century. Its ac-
ccmplishment. despite successive de-
malls and postponements has been
merely question Of time.
Proof of Disinterestedness.
while the failure in 1898 may not be a
cause of congratulation, it is certainly
a proof Of the disinterestedness Of the
United states. the delay of four years
having abundantly sufiiced to establish
the right and the ability of the republic
of Hawaii to enter as a sovereign con
tractant upon a conventional unior
with the United States. thus realizing
a purpose held by the Hawaiian people
and proclaimed by successive Hawaiian
governments through some seventy
years of their virtual dependence upor
the benevolent protection of the United
States. Under such circumstances an
nexation is not a change: it is a consu
nation. The report for the secretary
of state exhibits the character anC
course of the recent negotiation and th'
features OF the treaty itself. The or
! ganic and administrative details of in
corporation are necessarily left to thu
wisdom OF the congress and I canno
doubt, when the function of the consti
| tutional treaty-making power shal
have been accomplished. the duty o
the national legislature In the case will
be performed with the largest regard
for the interest of this rich insular do
main and for the welfare of the inhabi
tants thereof.
"WILLIAM MKINLEY.
Executive Mansion, Washington. Jun
16, 1897"