Omaha daily bee., 1897-12-07
URGES ANNEXATION OF HAWAII.
Asserts Every Condition of Honor Re-
nMires RntitiCmtiOn Of TrentX.

ASSERTS Every Condition of Honor Re
uuircs Ratification of Treaty.
BY special message dated the 10th of
June last l laid before the senate a treaty
signed that day by the plenpoentiar of
the United States and of the Republic of
Hawaii having for its purpose the incorpora-
tion of the Hawaiian islands as an integral
part of the United States, and under its
sovereignty. The senate having removed the
Injunction of secrecy, although the treaty is
still pending before that body, the subject
may be properly referred to in this mes
sage bcause the necessary action of
gress is required to determine by legislation
many details OF the eventual union should
the fact of annexation be accomplished, as !
believe it should be.
While consistently disavowing from very
early period any aggressive policy of alb
scrption in regard to the Hawaiian group,
long series Of declarations through three
quarters OF a century has proclaimed the
vital interest of the United States in the
Independent life OF the islands and their
intimate commercial dependency upon this
country. At the same time it has been
repeatedly asserted that in no event could
the entity of Hawaiian Statehood cease by
the passage of the islands under the dCmina-
ticn or influence Of another power than
the United States. Under these circum-
atanCes the logic of events required that
annexation, before offered but declined,
should in the ripeness of time come about
| as the natural result of strengthening the
ties that bind us to these islands and be
realized by the free will of the Hawaiian
state.
That treaty was unanimously ratified with
| out amendment by the senate and president
of the republic of Hawaii on the 10th Of Sep
| tember last, and only awaits the favorable
action of the American senate to erect the
| complete absorption of the islands into the
domains of the Unlted States. What the ccn-
ditions of such a union shall be, the political
| relation thereof to the United States, the
| character of the local administration, the
quality and degree of elective franchise OF
| the inhs bitants the extension of the federal
| laws to the territory or the enactment or
special laws to fit the peculiar condition
| thereof the regulat ion of needs OF labor
| therein are all matters which the treaty
| has wisely relegated to the congress.
PROVISIONS FOR SELF-RULE.
II the treaty is confirmed, as every coz
sileration OF dignity and honor requires,
| the wisdom OF congress will see to it that
| avoiding abrupt assimilation OF elements per-
| hans hardly yet fitted to share in the high
| est franchises of citizenship and having due
| regard to the geographical conditions, the
| most Just provisions for self-rule in local
matters with the largest political liberties
| as an integral part of our nation VIII be
| accorded to the Hawaians. No less is due
| to a people who, after nearly five years
| of demonstrated capacity TO fulfill the obli-
cations of self-gOverDing statehood, come OF
their free will to merge their destinies in
| our body polite.
| The questions which have arisen between
Japan and Hawaii by reason OF the treatment
| Of japanese laborers emgrating to the is
| lands under the Hawaiian-Japanese conven-
| tion OF 1888 are in a satisfactory stage of
| settlement by negotiation. This government
| has not been invited to mediate. and on the
| other hand has sought no Intervention In
| that matter, further than to evinCe it's
! lIindliest disposition toward such a speedy
| and direct adjustment by the two sovereign
! states in interest as shall comport with
| equity and honor. 1t is gratifying to learn
| that the apprehensiOns at first displayed on
| the part of Japan lest the cessation OF
| Hawaii's national life through annexation
! might impair privileges TO which Japan hon
| orably laid claim, have given place to ex-
| pressions of confidence in the government
! and the sincerity of its purpose to deal with
! all possible ulerior questions in the broad
rit nF f,in