Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-05-18
HAWAII ANNEXATION
MAJORITY AND MINORITY REPORTS
OF HOUSE COMMITTEE.
The ARGUMENTS PRO And CON
strategic Importance of the Islands
Acquisition Not Contrary to Monroe
Doc'rthe-obJectfon to Annexation
Under Cry of "Wnr Emergency

WASHINGTON, d. c., May 17-Cbair-
man Hit to-day presented tbe r,oior,,,,
report of the House Committee on For
eign Affairs in favor of the annexation
OF Hawaii by joint resolution. II states
that the proposition is not new to either
the people or Congress. For fully Aftv
years 1t has been evident that this feebIo
government must be merged with a
stronger power. The report states "Tbere
is no undue pressure on the mart OF the
united states, as a greater power: no
surprise OF any one; no possibility NJ
objection by other governments. II ,s
simply the obvious result of the natural
course OF events through a long period
Of years, thus completed with the cordial
consent OF the sovereign powers of both
governments. The only question involved
Is whether the proposed possession of
the Hawaiian Islands would be advanta-
geous TO the United States"
The strategic importance of the islands
Is then discussed; also. the risk of de-
laying acquisition, as there is danger of
the Islands falling under japanese in
huehce ana control. American COM
mercial interests would be promoted. and
annexation, the report says. would do
away with foreign complications of the
islands. A brief argument is made upon
the subject of acquiring the islands by
legislative action. and il is declared that
there is nothing in the Constitution TO
prevent such acquisition. In conclusion,
the report says:
THE acquisition of these islands does
not cOntravene our national policy Cor
tradition. Ii carries out the Monroe doc
trine, which excludes European Powers
from interfering on the American CONT
nent and its outlying islands. but does
not limit the United States; and this doc
trine has been long applied to these very
islands by our government"
AGAINST ANNEXATION.
The minority report on annexation.
signed by Messrs. Dinsmore. Clark. VIII
liams. and Howard, of the committee.
sets out eight reasons against annexation,
and offers substitute resolution
practically establishing a protectorate
over the islands. They declare that the
Hawaiian people have not been consulted
nor the American people, and charge that
the only hope for annexation is
under the cry of war emergency" be-
fore the people can be consulted The |
other counts specified against annexation
are that annexation in the manner pro- ]
posed is unconstitutional; that the !
Islands are too remote, and furnish too i
much additional commercial line TO be |
defended; that the people are not racially |
or religiously or otherwise homoae- |
neous with our own; that political do |
minion over the islands is not CONNER |
cially necessary; that the islands are |
not, from naval or military stand |
point. necessary TO our defence and that. |
admitting that its foreign occupation |
would be dangerous TO us. and that |
there exists single nation willing. In
the face Of our repeated diplomatic decIa-
rations of our position. to incur the dam
ger of a declaration Of war, this danger
may be met when the first overt act
shows its actual existence, or may be
prevented by the passage OF the minority
resolution heretofore cited"
Early consideration OF the resolution
In the House is probable