Evening star., 1898-06-11
Representative HIT Speaks in Favor
of Annexation.
ID IMPORTANCE and NECESSITY
Military and Naval Authorities
Quoted.
DINSMORE IN OPPOSITION

The session of the House of Representa-
tives today was devoted to debate upon the
Hawaiian resolutions. Proceedings began
with mutual withdrawal by Mr.. Grosve.
nor (Ohio) and Mr.. Swanson Wa) of un-
complimentary and luxurious language"
used by them relative to each other in the
heat Of debate Thursday night when the
revenue conference report was under con-
sideration.
The Senate amendments to the bill or
ganizing the naval hospital corps were con-
Cured In, and Mr.. Hit Qll). chairman of
the committee on foreign affairs, was then
recognized to begin the Hawaiian debate,
advocating annexation. He reviewed the
provisions of the Newlands resolution as
being practically Identical with those of
the treaty before the Senate, and with the
one which was negotiated five years since.
HawniPs CordnaI Assent.
"The measure which is now before the
House for the annexation Of Hawaii" said
Mr.. Hit, rs substantially the same as q
treaty negotiated last year, but which Is
now put in the form of joint resolution.
This treaty was duly ratified by the senate
of the commonwealth Of Hawaii, and there
fore we know that we are acting with the
cordial assent Of the government OF the
treaty was preceded by another negotiated
five years ago between the two countries,
providing for the annexation of the Ha-
waiian Islands to the United States, which
treaty was duly ratified by the government
of Hawaii, and would probably have been
ratified by our Senate had 1t not been
Withdrawn by reason of a change of the
occupant of the executive office.
This Is not new question at all. It Is
not an emergency matter sprung upon us
suddenly. 1t is not a case of overweening
influence brought to bear by a great and
powerful government upon of the
smallest In the world to constrain it to
give up it's Independent existence, and be
absorbed by the other under the form of
a legal proceeding There is no oppression,
there is no unwillingness. The whole pro-
ceeding is with the cordial assent of the
duly constituted authorities of the Ha-
waiian republic, and in accordance with the
terms of the constitution of that republic.
1T is in pursuance of policy well known
there and to our people here and to all
the world-a policy often dscussed-con-
templated by that government because the
circumstances surrounding that nation in
all the changes in its history have made this
a foregone conclusion. So slender, so tot
tering a political existence in the midst of
the mighty commOnwealths of this world
mad but precarious tenure-had often
been threatened
Several times the territory of that gov
ernment has been seized and occupied by
Hawaii being conscious on her feeble
ability to maintain her independence among
the nations, the subject of union with an
other country has been contemplated long.
one of the kings of that nation executed
a deed of cession to the United States. An
other of the kings prepared a draft of a
treaty of annexation to the United States,
but before 1t was executed he died. AS l
have said, treaties have been negotiated
with this government within the last five
years.
There is nothing that can impute to us.
though this Is so great and mighty ma
ton. any purpose of exercising undue pres
sure, as has ordinarily been the case in
European history. where great and power
full nation has taken possession of and abb
soI'bed and extinguished smaller. The
only question We have to consider. when
this small body of people with open hands
offer themselves to US, is whether We would
be better off by taking this step-whether
1t would be advantageous to us to accept
these islands-whether they are worth own
ing-whether their possession Is Of any
value to us or not.
Value of the Islands.
"Other nations have long since expressed
their opinion of the value of the islands in
many ways, and our own country has done
the same thing. 1t Is a very small ration
ality, very small extent of the earths
surface, not equal in people to any congress
SIGNAL district represented on this foo-
And yet, small as it is, there are ninetees
nations that keep continually representa-
tiveS at Honolulu to watch their interests
and we keep there today an envoy extra
ordinary and minister plenipotentiary.
" by? Not because they are fertile ami
beautiful islands; not because there are
little over a hundred thousand people
there. No, it is because Of the supreme I'm
portance Of the islands on account of their
position.
They sit facing our western coast that
lone e.t- f.,I, hot
cific ocean, the most extensive body of
water in the world, stretching for six,
seven, eight thousand miles, and they are
the nearest point to our coast and far re-
moved from any other point. They are
two thousand miles away from US. It
seems very considerable distance, but
the distance beyond them to the other
Portions of the earth is SO much greater
that they seem comparatively and are a
part of our own system.
with the great change in the construc-
ton OF ships of war, all of which are now
moved by steam, coal has become q very
essential OF war. as much so as powder or
guns, and across that wide ocean any yes
sci OF war coming to attack the United
states must stop for coal and get supplies
at the Hawaiian Islands before it can with
any wisdom attack us. No ship can be
constructed, no battle ship exists in the
world, which can make the trip from the
other side of that wide sea to our shores
conduct any operation Of hostility against
US ana ever get back unless it has its sIIn
ply of coal renewed CUP
views of Army and Navy Officers.
I'VE are all familiar with the subject T
do not suppose I shall say many things
that are new. do not give this as my opin-
ion 1 do not suppose that my opinion is
worth anything beyond that Of all the aver
age of mankind. I do not suppose there is
any member Of the Houss who is so pre-
sumptuous that he would consider his opin-
lon as OF itself a great fact But we have
on this question, which Ia not one of conn
mon Judgment, the opinions Of the most
distinguished. expert and able men of tn.
age the greatest commanders of our ar
mics and our fleets who are living. who
have all given the same opinion. Ther, has
been no divergence Of opinion.
Ihey have all stated that the possession