Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-05
ANNEXATION OF HAWAII
Favorable Report to Be Made on the New
lands Resolution.
Meeting of the House Foreign Anairn
Committeeman More Than Four
Democrats Opposed.

The House committee on foreign affairs
was called in special session this morning
by Chairman Hit to consider the New
lands joint resolution for the annexation of
the Hawaiian Islands.
1t is understood that Chairman Hit is
sued the call as the result of an intimation
from administration sources that favorable
action upon the resolution was desired.
After discussing the question of annexa-
ton for some time, 1t was developed that
the sentiment of a majority of the commit
tee was decidedly favorable to action along
the lines of the Newlands resolution. Prob
ably not more than four democratic votes
will be cast against the resolution.
1t was decided to hold another meeting
of the committee next Tuesday, and vote
upon the question of reporting the proposes
legislation to the House.
The Resolution.
The Newlands resolution, which was Of
fered late yesterday afternoon, provides for
the confirmation of the cession by the Ha-
waiial republic of all rights of sovereignty
over the islands and their dependencies and
Of cession and transfer to the United States
of all public property and all its rights and
appurtenanceS, assumes the Hawaiian pub
lie debt to not exceeding $4,000.000. prohibits
further immigration of Chinese and ap-
points nVe commissioners, al least two OF
whom shall be residents Of Hawaii, to rec
ommerd necessary legislation The reso-
luton declares the islands and their de-
pendeacies hereby annexed as part of
the territory of the United States and sub
ject to the Sovei eign dominion thereof
Special laws are to be enacted by Con-
gress for the management and disposition
Of public lands and all revenues or proceeds
therefrom. except lands used or occupied
for civil, military or naval purposes Of the
mil tod tnfo Loco rn
to be used solely for the benefit of Ha-
waiian inhabitants for educational or other
purposes. Pending congressional provision
for government of the islands, the present
government officers of Hawaii are to con-
tinue under the direction of the President
of the United States subject to removal
by him. Existing Hawaiian treaties with
other countries are to Immediately cease,
being replaced by those between the United
States and foreign nations. Municipal leg
islation of the islands. unless enacted for
the f,iffllment of the treaties extinguished
or contrary to our Constitution. remain
in force until otherwise determined. Pend
ing legislation extending our customs laws,
the existing customs relations Of the is
lands remain unchanged. The assumption
Of the public debt lawfully existing at the
date of the exchange of the passage OF the
resolution includes amounts due to de-
positors in the Hawaiian postal savings
bank, the Hawaiian government, however,
continuing to pay the interest on the debt
while the existing government and It's
commercial relations are continued. The
Chinese exclusion paragraph prohibits the
admission of Chinese into the United States
from Hawaii. To carry out the resolu-
ton 800 900 is to be appropriated.
Representative VIM. Alden Smith OF
Michigan vigorously presented number
of substantial reasons for prompt action
by this government, characterizing the
past policy of our government regarding
island ownership in the West Indies and
in the PacifiS near the iSthmus as
''short-sighted and unwise.' He claimed
that it is due to the American people tn
take immediate action, and he advocated
prompt favorable report.
Representative Clark of Missouri Sug
gested that there were many difficulties
involved In the annexation of the island,
and he deprecated what he asserted was 7
departure from the historical position re-
garding territorial ownership outside the
continent now occupied by the American
people.
Representative Newlands, the author of
the bill. urged many advantages to be
gained by ownership of the islands in the
Pacifis growing out of the present difficult
ties in the Philippines.
Representative Pierson of North Carolina.
Representative Berry of Arkansas, Repre-
sentative Adams of Pennsylvania, Repre-
sentative Howard of Georgia and Repre-
sentative DinsmOre of Arkansas took the
principal part in the discussion.
1t Is understood that IL there should be a
report from the committee in favor of an
nextng Hawaii the Speaker will not inter-