The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1898-05-18
THE HAWAIIAN QUESTION.
House Committee on Foreign Affairs
Make Reports.


Washington. d. c., May 17.-Chair-
man Hit to-day presented the majorl-
ty report of the House Committee on
Foreign Affairs in favor of the annexa-
ton of Hawaii by joint resolution. 1t
states that the proposition is not new
to either government. For fifty years 1t
has been apparent that so small and
feeble government must be merged
with n stronger power.
The report states there is no undue
pressure on the part of the United
States as greater power; no surprise of
any one; no possibility of objections by
other governments. 1t is simply the OBJ
vious 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 govern
ments. The only question involved is
whether the proposed possession of the
Hawaiian islands would be advantage
Gus to the United States"
The strategic Importance Of the is
lands is then discussed, also the risk
of delaying acquisition, as there is danger
of the islands falling under japanese in
fluence and control American CONNER
cial interests would be promoted and
annexation, the report says, would do
away with foreign complications ON the
island A brief argument is made upon
the subject of acquiring territory by
legislative act. and it 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 or traditions. 1t carries
out the Monroe doctrine, which excludes
European powers from interfering in the
American continent and outlying islands,
but does not limit the United States:
and this doctrine has been long applied
to these very islands by our govern
ment."
The minority report on annexation,
signed by Messrs. Dinsmore, Clark, Will
liams and Howard. of the committee,
sets out eight reasons against annexa-
ton, and offers n substitute resolution
practically establishing Il protectorate
over the islands They declare that the
Hawaiian people have not been consult
ed; nor the American people, charging
the only hope for annexation is under
the cry of WAR Emergency" before the
people can be consulted. The other
counts specified against annexation are
that annexation in the manner proposed
is unconstitutional, the islands, too re-
mote and furnish too much additional
coast line to be defended: the popula
ton is not racially nor religiOusly, nor
otherwise homogeneous with our own
political dominion over the islands is not
commercially necessary; the islands are
not from naval or military standpoint
necessary to our defense; and that admit
ting that its foreign occupation would be
dangerous to us, and that there exists
single nation willing in the face of our
repeated diplomatic declarations of our
position to incur the dangers of war with
us in order to seize or hold them" this
danger may he met when the first overt
act or open declaration shows its actual
existence, or may be prevented by the
passage Of the minority resolution here
tofore cited
Early consideration Of the resolutions
in the House seems probable.