The National tribune., 1897-06-17
THE TERRITORY OF HAWAII.

THE TERRITORY OF HAWAII.
One of the matters of importance that
engaged the attention Of the President
three months ago was our relations with
the Hawaiian Islands.
Mrs. Dominis, the ex-Queen, was here
with her mock court and empty pre-
tensions. The Hawaiian Republic was
also ably represented by men who had
been active in the overthrow of the dis
solute monarchy, and who had simply
been waiting to say good-by to Cleveland
in the hope Of better days to come.
Under these circumstances negotia-
tons were at once opened to restore the
status quo ante Gresham. 1t will be
remembered that when the Harrison
Administration went out a treaty of
annexation was pending in the Senate,
and the American flag was flying
proudly over the Government House at
Honolulu. Mr.. Cleveland, acting, it
was alleged, under the advice of Secre-
tary Gresham, promptly withdrew the
treaty, and sent g Paramount Commits
sioner" Blount to the islands with
plenary powers to restore the discarded
Queen-if he could He could not set
up the rotten throne again, but he could
and did haul down the American flag.
Then Willis was sent as Minister with
| credentials to President Dole and au-
thority to overthrow his Government
and recognize the Queen, but that blood
thirsty lady demanded as condition of
restoration the confiscation Of vast prop
erty interests, the exile Of the families of
American origin, and that the leaders in
the Republican movement be summarily
beheaded. Mr.. Willis knew too we'll
the temper of the American people to
become party to such a crime, and to
the credit of his memory be it said there
is no suspicion that he could have con-
templated the proposals of the Queen
with any other sentiment than horror
and disgust. Even Cleveland and
Gresham saw that Mrs. Dominis had
made her restoration impossible. She
had sealed the loss of her throne herself
by proving herself a savage.
The abortive attempt to restore the
Queen by force, the trial and imprison-
ment of all concerned, followed, and
throughout all these trying incidents the
Dole Government displayed degree of
ability, moderation, and fnesse that chal-
lenged the admiration of those who had
stood by it from the first.
The negotiations for annexation have
progressed rapidly since President Nc
Kinley came into Office, and while the
fact has been well known here little has
been said about it, because the public
attention has been divided between Cuba
and the progress Of the Tariff bill.
The new treaty, it is understood, will be
sent to the Senate soon and considered
after the Tariff bill shall have been dis
posed Of The evident disposition of
Japan to assert herself on the islands by
overrunning them with immigrants has
perhaps tended to hasten matters. We
do not want difficulty with the Orien-
tai Yankees, and the best way to avoid
it is to get in early.
| The new treaty will provide for the
admission of the islands under the name
of " The Territory of Hawaii" All the
public lands, including the old Crown
lands, are to be added to the public do
main of the United States The citi-
zens Of the Republic Of Hawaii become
|
citizens Of the United States, except
Asiatics affected by existing treaties
Chinese are to be prohibited from re-
moving from Hawaii to the States The
Hawaiian public debt not to exceed
! 81, 900, 900, is to be assumed, and for the