New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-07
WELCOME. HAWAIIi

/ The Joint resolution for the annexation OF
/ Hawaii passed the Senate yesterday by vote
! of exactly two to one The long campaign OF
the minority to block the completion OF union
which has been inevitable for half n century
came TO n sudden end. The opposition broke
down UNEXPECTEDLY, and almost before they
knew Il those who had been making the fight
for annexation had carried their point. and IN"
INCORPORATION OF Hawaii into the American en-
pirc had become settled and rrcvocable fact.
The Presidents policy is well known. and with
the passage of the resolutions yesterday The last
obstacle is overcome to our acquiring what Cap
tain Mahan describes rs the one strategic posi-
tlon In the North Pacific shut ont from which
IAN enemy is thrown back for supplies Of fuel to
/ "distances of $500 or 1000 miles between
1000 and 5000 going and coming an impedi-
"mcnt to sustained maritime operations we'll
nigh prohibitive."
Over such vote all Americans may well re-
iocc. for It gives permanently and legally to
the United States privileges which II has been
Obliged in this war to take in defiance of inter
national law and by trcspassing on the good
will of the islanders. who. in expectation OF
absorption placed their territory nj our dis-
nosal Had they been less complaisant we
, should
lief n Admiral Dewey. and II after refusing
to annex Hawaii we ever again should have
had trouble In the Orient we should probably
have been obliged to take by force what Is
now given us As It Is. we have the ncces-
sary halfway station to China and Manila.
If we keep the Philippines. Hawaii Is abso-
lutely essential to our communications II we
release our hold on them. II still remains III"
Incompatible key 10 naval and commercial SUI
premacy in the Pacific. and the outpost OF our
defence both negatively rs excluding any pos
sible enemy and positively as our own vantage
ground for watch and attack.
The patient citizens Of Hawaii whose fathers
redeemed the group from savagcry who them
selves made it the home Of republican institu-
tions. who have long waited for union with the
great Republic which has had their sympathy
and admiration. have M last obtained the real
iZation of their hope. They are entitled 10 all
the Joy It will bring them. They have served
their own country goriously ny transforming II
from petty and powcress State into most
important part of of the great nations OF
the earth. and their leaders will be remembered
by their new countrymen with Jefferson. Mon
roe. Houston Fremont ard Seward and the in
Vulnerable army Of those who have helped on
the manifest destiny Of that Nation.
1t was impossible that such step ms this In
our National progress should have been taken
without strong and serious opposition much or
It honest and hghminded. Our occupation Of
louisiana Florida. Texas. California and Alas
ka was likewise opposed with equal honesty
and earncstness, but nobody would now wish
we did not possess those territories. So we
may believe that after years will convince even
the present doubtcrs that the disasters they
forcsee are the creatures OF their own fears
and that they will come to rejoice with the rest
of the American people in Hawaii as one Of the
brightest stars I'm the Incompatible galaxy OF
our expanding armament.