The Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Or.) 1862-1899, 1897-06-25
TEXT OF SPECIAL MESSAGE
Annexation Of Hawaii No
New Scheme.
PAST NEGOTIATIONS REVIEWED
Over Seventy Years Since First Move
Was Made-President Mckinley Re,
views the Situation.


The following is the text of the mes
sage sent to the United States senate
by the president to accompany the
Hawaiian treaty:
II transmit hereby to the sesate, in
order that after due consideration the
constitutional function of advice and
consent may be exercised by that body,
treaty for annexation of the republic
of Hawaii to the United States, signed
by plenipotentiaries of the parties on
June76. For a better understanding
of the subject transmit in addition
the report of the secretary of state, re-
viewing negotiations which have led
to this important result.
The incorporation of the Hawaiian
islands into body polticus is neces-
sary and fitting sequel to the chain Of
events which from an early period Of
our history has controlled the inter-
course and prescribed the associations
of the United States and the Hawaiian
islands. The predominance of Ameri.
can interests in that neighboring terri
tory was first asserted in 1890 by send
ing to the islands representative of
the United States. It found further
expression by the signature of treaty
of friendship, commerce and navigation
with the king in 1926. It was signally
in 1843, when the interven-
tion of the United States caused the
British government to disavow the
seizure of the Sandwich islands by
British naval commander, and to recog-
nize them by treaty as an Independent
state, renouncing forever any purpose
of annexing the islands or exertlng
a protectorate over them.
In 1851 the cession of the Hawaiian
kingdom to the United States was for
mally offered, and although not then
accepted, this government proclaimed
it its duty to preserve alike the honor
and dignity of the United States and
safety of the government of the Ha-
waiian islands. From this time until
the outbreak of the war of 1851 the
policy of the United States toward Ha-
waii and the Hawaiian sovereign
towards the United States was exem-
plified by continued negotiations for
or for reciprocal CONNER
cial union. The latter alternative was
at length accomplished by the reciproc-
ity treaty Of 1876, the provisions of
which were renewed by the convention
Of 1884, embracing the perpetual cession
to the United States of the harbor of
Pearl river.
In 1888 a proposal for joint guar
anty Of the neutrality Of the Hawaiian
islands by the United States, Germany
and Great Britain was declined on the
announced ground that the relation of
sufficient for the end in view. In brief,
from 1920 to 1896 the course of the
United States toward the islands has
consistently favored their autonomous
welfare with the exclusion of ali for
eign influences save our own to the ex-
tent of upholding eventual annexation
as necessary outcome of that policy.
Not only is union of the Ha-
waiian territory to the United States
no new scheme, but it is the inevit-
able consequence of the relation stead-
fastly maintained with that mid-Pacifc
domain for three-quarters of century.
Its accomplishment has been merely a
question of time. While it's failure in
1898 may not be cause for congratula-
ton, it is certainly proof of the dis
of the United States, the
delay of four years having abundantly
sufficed to establish the right and abil-
ity of the republic to enter as SOW
ereign government into conventional
union with the United States, thus
purpose held by the Ha-
waiian people and proclaimed by sue
cessive Hawaiian governments through
some 70 years Of their virtual depend
ence upon the benevolent protection of
the United States.
1.-The report Of the secretary of state
exhibits the character and course of re-
cent negotiations and features of the
treaty itself. The organization and
details of incorporation
are necessarily left to the wisdom of
congress, and cannot doubt that when
The function of the constitutional treaty
making power shall be performed with
The largest regard for the interest of
this rich domain and for the welfare Of
she inhabitants thereof.
"(Signed) VIM. M'KINLEY.
Executive Mansion, Washington, D.
c., June 49,"