Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-02-13
he WILL MAKE A TEST CASE
Senator Frye Opens Up the Hawaii
an Question.
Proposes That This Nation Improve
Pearl Harbor Which Would
show What Rights We
Have There.

Washington, Feb. 6.-The Hawaiian
question has been revived In the senate
by Senator Frye OF Maine. He intro
duced an amendment to the sundry civ
IL bill, appropriating $1,000 . for the I'M
provement of Pearl Harbor. For the
United States TO spend money in inn
proving Pearl Hsrbor would be. In the
opinion OF the senator an act OF SOW
ereignty, which, If allowed to pro-
coed, would establish the fact OF Amer
lean possession. In speaking of the
matter, Mr.. Frye said:
Il ave several objects in introducing
this amendment. One of these is that l
believe that il would be we'll for the
United States to exercise an act of SOW
erSignty in Pearl Harbor. Our jurisdic-
ton over Pearl Harbor dates from the
convention OF 1887. The question was
raised then by Mr.. Carter, the Hawaiian
minister, whether the exclusive right
accorded TO the United States TO enter
Pearl Harbor announced 10 a permanent
cession or whether the privileges we
enjoy were TO come to an end whenever
the treaty should expire. At the time
Secretary Bayard Informed Mr.. Carter
thai he could discern nothing in the
clause relating 20 the harbor which
amounted to a subtraction from Hawaii
an sovereignty, or which imposed a
longer duration TO the Jurisdiction OF
the United States over the harbor than
the life of the treaty Itself.
Il think that in view Of this state
ment by Bayard, il would be a good
thing for the United states TO do some
thing which would show clearly how
far our jurisdiction extends. / do not
imagine that any objection would be
made by the present government OF Ha-
wall to an excess of sovereignty by the
United States. At any rate it will do
no harm TO make the attempt.
But this is not the only reason | in-
troduced the amendment. l think IL
high time that Pearl harbor should be
fitted for the objects intended under the
convention through which 1t came un-
' der American control. This is the finest
harbor in the Pacific. 1t is big enough
TO float both the American and British
navles without crowding, and the only
thing needed 10 max IL available is 10
clear away the bar at its mouth, which,
Admiral Walker has reported, can be
done at a cost OF 500, 900 at the outside.
At present no very good harbor In the
Hawaiian islands is available for us.
That at Honolulu is by no means ade-
quate. When 50 small an expenditure
Is necessary To accomplish such good
results. | think Il would be unwise not
to make H."
rs this "a step preliminary to annexa.
tion?'
1T is too early to talk about that now,
but If the islands are ever TO be an
neXed, of course il would be an advan-
tage 10 nave the harbor improved.
When the amendment comes up 1t may
bring on more or less Of a debate about
annexation
do you think the country is favor
able to anneXdtion?'
Il have no doubt of It. Not much
may be said now, but If the question
should be brought up seriously you
would quickly discover what the feeling
is"
But how about the report that Nc
Kinley is opposed to annexation
Il do not believe he ever said any
thing of the kind, but | have no doubc
the sugar interests are as hostile to an
nexation as they have been all along.
The opposition has been due chiefly tu
sugar. | am not SO sure but that the
United States Will be compelled to take
the islands, whether they are wanted
or not. Japan is looking hat way, and
the japanese on the island are begin
ming to agitate for suffrage, which
would put them in practical control. II
anything OF that sort should be serious
ly threatened there would be nothing for
the United States but to step in and
take charge"