The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-08
AND POSSESSION TAKEN OF THE ISL
ANDs SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Commission to Frame Laws Likely to
BE Appointed by TO-Day-Mr.
Hatch's Statement.

were present. At twenty minutes before z
o'clock Alonzol H. Stewart. assistant door
keeper of the Senate, arrived at the White
House with the engrossed copy of the reso-
buttons signad by Speaker pro tempore
Payne and Vice President Hobart George b.
| CortelyoU, assistant secretary to the Presi-
dent. receipted for the resolutions in the
usual form and then notified the President
that they had arrived. The President said
simply that he would sign the resolutions
| Immediately and few minutes later a little
group was gathered about the Cabinet table
to witness the completion of this important
| legislation. Those who comprised the
group were Mrs. Mckinley, Secretary Cor
tleyou, Mr. Stewart Captain B. F. Mont
| gomery, of the Signal Corps, who is in
charge of the war room at tho White House;
Capt Charles Letter, the residents con-
fdential messenger, and George B. Frease,
| postmaster of Canton, the Presidents home
city. Precisely at o'clock the President
| affixed to the resolutions these words which
made them law:
Approved, July z 1898.
WILLIAM MKINLEY."
Before rising from the table President
| Mckinley also approved the general de-
fciency bill, the last of the great appro-
priation measures passed by the present
Congress. The President presented to Mr.
Stewart the pen with which he had signed
the Hawaiian resolution and it will be pre-
served by him as SOUVENIR Of an act that
will make history for the United States
The necessary orders were given during
the day to start the cruiser Philadelphia
for Hawaii, carrying Admiral Miller with a
notice of the action of the United States
government and directing United States
Minister Sewel to take formal possession
in the name of the United States. The
Philadelphia is selected because she is the
best United States war ship available for
the purpose on the Pacific coast Admiral
Miller will be charged with the function of
hosting the flag that was hauled down by
Commissioner Blount. The ship will be
ready for sea in very few days under Sec
rotary Longs orders and should make the
trip in a week. Meanwhile the President
will appoint commission Immediately to
frame the laws necessary for the changed
conditions of affairs in Hawaii. This must
be done before the adjournment of Con-
gress, as the commissioners are subject to
confirmation.
Minister Hatch, of Hawaii, arrived at the
State Department at IL o'clock to-day and
held an extended conference with Secretary
Day on the contamination of annexation.
The Hawaiian authorities had taken steps
to convey the good news at the earliest pos
sible moment to Hawaii Mr.. Hatch sent
extended official dispatches to the Hawaiian
agent in San Francisco to be forwarded by
the steamer sailing to-day. The minister
will leave here tomorrow to catch the
steamer Alameda, sailing for Hawaii on the
18th. Mr.. Lorin NJ Thurston, Hawaiian COM
missioner goes with Mr.. Hatch, but will
wait until the 18th to take the steamer Rio
de Janeiro for Hawaii. 1t is understood also
that Mrs. Dominis, former Queen Liliuoka-
| lani, and her party, who have been in
Washington for many months contemplate
taking an early steamer for Hawaii.
Minister Hatch and Mr.. Thurston ex-
pressed the deepest satisfaction at the IA
vorable outcome of this long struggle. AS
they entered the State Department to-day
| they received congratulations on every
| hand. Mr.. Thurston remarked that it felt
| good to be an American. 1t is the view of
| the Hawaiian authorities that Hawaii be-
| comes part of the United States on the
| moment the President attaches his sigma
| ture to the resolution of Congress- The an
nexation is said to be complete without any
| further action, here or in Hawaii. At the
same time 1t is possible that the Hawsiian
| Legislature may pass a resolution silnl r
| to the one passed by our Congress. Who
| 1t is said that this was not necessary Vet
It Will be formality accomplished and re-
| move every possible chance for bubble over
| the regularity of the procedure. Mr. Thurs
! ton explains the status thus:
Ine Hawaiian Senate unanimously rati-
Ied treaty OF annexation. This, in effect
| was tender of Hawaii to the United
States. Now the United States accepts the
tender by a joint resolution of Congress,
signed by the President The tender and
acceptance complete the act" If, however,
1t is desired to have both branches of the
M mt rfrr1sI0 -
mat OF the American Congress- Mr.. Thurs
| ton says this may be quickly accomplished
session can be called at once, not more than
htteen days being required for assembling
| an extra session.
| 1t is said that the transmission of the
| republic to the United States can be accom-
| piished without the slightest delay or fric-
ton; A complete internal organization al
ready exists, CIVIL, military, ETC., and il is
| pointed out that this does away with the de-
| lay OF organizing a government, such as oc-
CURED when California was admitted For
| the present the existing civil organization
will continue with President Dole as chief
executive, and this will run along until the
| nve commissioners appointed by the Pres
| ident complete system of organization
| and put II into effect.
The return of the ex-Queen to Hawaii is
not regarded as significant in showing any
| purpose OF continuing the contest against
annexation. Although it has been reported
that she was exiled,, this is denied by those
| fully acquainted with the facts. The former
| Queen retains her citizenship in Hawaii
and, now that all Hawaiians become citi-
zens of the United States. she also is said
| to be entitled to this citizenship. She has
| four residences at Honolulu, one of them
| being a large and handsome establishment
| opposite the government buildings. One of
| her other houses has been occupied as a
| British consulate. Her niece, Princess Kaiu-
! lani, is now at Honolulu, and has recently
! shown her friendly disposition to the United
| States by taking the post of vice president
| of the Red Cross Society, to look after our
wounded men coming through there.
| The Japanese minister Mr.. Hoshi was a
caller at the State Department but his
visit was purely social, and had no refer
| ence to Hawaii. The minister said Japan
had no further concern with Hawaiian an
| nexation to the United States and all uues-
! tions had been cleared up long ago
! Senators and representatives who con-
versed with the President to-day gained the
| impression that for the present the govern
ment of the Hawaiian Islands would be left
| largely in the hands of President Dole I'm
/ der the joint resolutions annexing the
| islands the government, until otherwise pro-
/ vided by Congress, Is vested in such person
| or persons as the President of the United
| States may determine. Beside President Dole
some other person in Hawaii and one or
more citizens of the United States NAV be
| selected to act with him. 1t has been point
| ed out that citizens of the United States
| familiar with the laws of this country o,lght
10 be members of the provisional govern
| ment as the. laws of the country are ex-
tended over the Islands.