The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-22
ANNEXATION OF HAWAII.
Rcport Of the Foreign Affairs Commit
tcc-Intercsting Facts.

tcc-Intercsting Facts.
The following IS the full report Of the
House Committee on Foreign Affairs on
the Hawaiian Annexation resolution:
THE Joint resolution OI. Res. 25S) pro-
vidcs for tho annexation Of the Hawaiian
Islands to tho United States. The pro-
position is not new either TO the gov
eminent OF the little commonwealth in
the Pacific, to the United states or 10
other nations. II has been apparent for
more than fifty years that 50 small and
feeble a government could not maintain
its Independence and that il must ulti-
mately be merged into a crater power
IL has been repeatedly seized and Homo
lulu occupied and has repeatedly made
overtures TO the United States 10 be
united TO US. In 1923 the French com
mander. Laplace seized Honolulu and held
A. for awhile, after forcing upon the
government a harsh treaty. In 1913 It
was seized by the British commander,
Lord Pawlet but subsequently released
bv Great Britain upon the circumstances
OF other powers. II was again seized
bv the French in 1s49 and held for a con-
siderable time but was evacuated after
diplomatic pressure from England ana
the United states.
I'm 1851 inc king. pressed by his per-
plexities with France and England, de-
livered 70 our commissioner deed OF
cessjon OF the islands 10 the United
States. 10 be held until a satisfactory
adjustment had been reached with
France, and falling that, permanently
In 1854 our Secretary OF State, Mr. Marcy
authorized me negotiation OF an anheNa-
ton treaty. The king made dratt
satisfactory % him and modifying the
one proposed, but before the conclusion
was reached he died. In 1883 treaty
was negotiated between our government
and that Of the Hawaiian Islands for
the annexation Of the Islands 10 the
United States. No word Of protest was
uttered by any other government. This
treaty. while pending before the Senate
was withdrawn by the President,
change OF administration having taken
place. Again. June t. 1897, a treaty or
annexation, similar I'm provisions TO the
iolnt resolution now proposed was agreed
to by the government Of Hawaii ana
duly ratified by their Senate.
There IS. therefore. no undue pressure
on the part Of the United States as a
greater power: no surprise Of any one;
no possibility OF objections by other gov
ernments. II IS simply the obvious re-
suit of the natural course OF events
through a long period Of years thus com
pleted with the cordial consent or the
sovereign powers Of both governments.
The only question involved Is whether
the proposed possession Of the Hawaiian
Islands would be advantageous 70 the
United States. ..
THEIR STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE.
Recent events in the existing war
with spain have called public attention
10 what has long been discussed by MILL
tarv and naval authOriues-tne ineStl-
mable importance to the United States
of possessing the Hawaiian Islands IN
case OF war with any strong naval power
They lie facing our Pacific coast Their
stragetc Importance is vastly Increased
by the fact that they are separated by
thousands OF miles from any other and
more distant group I'm the northern Pa
cifc ocean and are the only group facing
our coast. In the possession Of an enemy
they would serve as a secure base for at
lacking any and all OF our Pacific coast
cities. In our possession they would de-
prive the enemy's fleet OF all facilities
for coaling. supplies or repairs, and
speedily paralyze all his naval opera
tions. The first object OF an enemy at
lacking US on that side OF the republic
would be 10 secure these islands. and in
their present condition their possession
would fall 20 the stronger naval power.
THE leading nati0ns-England, France,
Germany, Japan, Spain and the United
States-have zach a Pacific squadron.
Every one Of these squadrons IS strong
er than ours. save that OF Spain, which
is the weakest.
Had the war in which we are now
engaged been with any OF the other pow
ers they might have wOrsted our fleet
and seized the Hawaiian Islands, which
are not now defended by any fcrtifica-
ton or cannon thus exactly reversing
our recent good fortune at Manila.
They would then have had a convenient
base for supplies coal and repairs from
which 10 actively harry and devastate
our coast. But were we In complete pos
session OF the Hawaiian Island, and they
properly prepared for defense (Which
eminent officers Of the army and navy
have stated TO the committee could DO
done at a cost OF $500 600 our fleet even II
pressed by a greatly superior sea pow
or. would have an impregnable refuge at
Pearl Harbor. backed by n friendly pop
ulation and militia, with all the resources
OF the large city OF HONOLULU and
small but fruitful country. Holding this
all-important strategic point. the enemy
could not remain I'm that part OF the
,Pacif7- thousands Of miles from any
base. without running out OF coal suffi-
cient TO get back to their own posses
sions The islands would secure both
our feet and our coast.
GENERAL ScltOtlEbD VIEW.
LAS General Schoneld stated 10 the
committee: The most important feature
of all Is that II economies the naval
force rather tnan increases II. 1t is cap
able OF absolute defense by shore bat
teries; so that a naval fleet after going
there and replenishing its supplies and
making what repairs are needed. can
go away and leave the harbor perfectly
safe TO the protection OF the army.
r. AT Al. -
ton was the only one Of all the fleets
we could have overcome as we did. OF
course, that cannot again happen for we
will not be able to pick UP so weak a
fellow next time. We are liable at any
time to get into q war with q nation
which has q more powrfm feet than
oars. and Il - Of vitsa importance there