The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-01-13
ision of the Hawaiian question.

made such a question as will compel
parties to consider it'as
party measure. 1t was on these same
lines that the Senate resolution of 1893
was passed; and from the position taxi
en- then there seems to be no desire to
recede.
"The division of opinion comes upon
the question of annexation or the
of the present status. The
lines seem to be more sharply drawn
upon this question than ever before
Our friends are more strongly our
friends than ever, and | believe we
opposition may become more pro-
nounced against us. For this reason,
while making no prophecy as to the
outcome, feel assured that if annex
alton is accomplished it will be upon
such terms and conditions as will be
the most favorable to Hawaii. 1t is
not likely that there will be any split
ting of hairs with us in the final de-
cision of the question. Our friends
feel that we should be left as indie
pendent as possible, consistent with
the fact of annexation. Those who ar"
in favor of annexation look upon it as
a matter where the benefits should be
reciprocal.
"The fact that we have shown our
selves capable of self-government has
strengthened our position to a large
extent. Although the danger has been
that some might consider it best to
leave well enough alone, yet the more
general view is that the question
should not be left any longer in abey-
ance, and has finally settled in favor
of annexation.
"While many of the opponents of an
nexation in the United States nave
based their opposition upon tn, policy
of the Government heretofore, that no
territory should be acquired which $
not part of the American continent,
many now say that they consiGcr that
an exception to this rule should be
made in the case of Hawaii. The
reason for this is that Hawaii has he
come too important a factor in con-
trolling the commerce of the Pacific to
be left where it might go under the
control of another power.
"The occupation of Pearl Harbor is
considered by those who favor a iro-
gressive foreign policy, to be essential.
This is one of the encouraging features
of the situation, that we have become
necessary to the United States and do
not have to depend entirely upon our
own needs to further the cause. While
heretofore annexation may have been
largely a question of sentiment, it has
now practically come down to Il ques-
tion of business dealing. This being
the case it is not likely that If annex
alton is accomplished there will be
any disposition on the part of the
United States to impose such condi-
tions as will ultimately result in ie.-
riment to Hawaii: that il to say, we
are placed more upon an equal foot
ing so far as treating upon the ques-
ton is concerned than we were IN 1898.
at is most likely that a special ses-
sion of Congress will be called soon
after the Inauguration of the new
President, and while the main feature
of that session will prooably be the
discussion of the tariff, 1t is likely that
the Hawaiian question will receive at
tention at the same time. Much. of
course, will depend upon the altitude
of the incoming administration, ard
while we may not expect to be re-
ferred to in either the Presidents IN
augural or his first message to Cen
gress, there seems every reason to De-
lieve that the question will be brought
forward early in the session.
"There are various methods of bring
ing up the question for discussion.
One is by the re-introduction of the
treaty of 1893, which has never been
finally disposed of, although with
drawn by President Cleveland soon
after his Inauguration. Another meth
od is by joint resolution of both House
and Senate consenting to annexation,
and another is by the concurrent reso-
luton of the House consenting to and
recommending annexation, leaving the
details to be settled by treaty con
firmed by the Senate.
Certainly never before and perhaps
never again will the opportunity occur
for the more favorable discussion and
action upon this question"
The next speaker of the evening was
Hon. A. G. NJ. Robertson. He said that
he was an anneXationist because he
believed it to be the best thing for his
country and when he said that he
meant the best thing for the people
in it and those to come. Annexation
XVnul6 hrinU stability In this Nynrd