The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1898-05-26
TWO REPORTS AS TO HAWAII.

mlJtee ON fOrelRn AHalrs IN favor
OF the annexation of Hawaii by joint
resolution. 1t states that the pro-
position is not new to either Gov
ernment. For fifty years it has
been apparent that 80 small and
feeble Government must be merged
with a stronger power.
The report states that "there is
no undue pressure on the part of
the United States as a great power;
no surprise to any one; no possibil-
ity of objections by other govern.
mepts. 1t is simply the obvious re-
suit OF the natural course OF events
through long period of years, thus
completed with the cordial consent
OF the sovereign powers Of both gov
srnments. The only question in
volved is whether the proposed pos
session Of the Hawaiian Islands
would be advantageous to the Unit
ed States"
The strategic Importance of the
islands is then discussed, also the
risk of delaying acquisition, as there
is danger Of the islands falling I'M
der Japanese influence and con-
troll. American commercial interests
would be promoted and action, the
report says, would do away with for
eign complications over the islands.
A brief argument is made on the
subject Of acquiring territory by
legislative act, and it is declared
that there is nothing in the consti-
tuition to prevent such acquisition.
In conclusion the report says:
"The acquisition of these islands
does not contravene our national pol
icy or traditions. 1t carries out the
Monroe doctrine, which excludes
European powers from interfering
in the American continent and out
lying islands. but does not limit the
United States; and this doctrine has
been long applied to these very isl
ands by our Government. As Score
tary Blaine said, in 1881, tho situa-
tion of the Hawaiian Islands, giving
them strategic control Of the North
Pacific, bring their possession with
in the range OF questions purely
American.
"The annexation Of these islands
does not launch us upon a new
policy or depart from our time
honored traditions of caring first
and foremost for the safety and
prosperity of the United States"
The minority report on the Ha-
waiian annexation question, signed
by Messrs. Dinsmors, Clark, Will
liams and Howard OF the committee,
sets out eight reasons against an
nexation and offers substitute reso-
luton practically establishing a pro-
tectorate over the islands.
1t declares that the Hawaiian
people have not been consulted, nor
have the American people, charging
that the only hope for action is un-
der the cry of "war emergency" be-
fore the people can be consulted.
The other counts specified against
annexation are that annexation in
the manner proposed is unconstitu-
tional; the islands are too remote
and furnish too much additional
coast line to be defended; the popu-
lation is not racially nor rsligiously
nor otherwise homogeneous with
our own; political dominion OF the
islands is not commercially neces-
sary; the islands are not from q
naval or military standpoint neces-
sary to our defense; and, admitting
that it's foreign occupation would be
dangerous to us, and that there does
not exist 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 be met when the first overt act
or open demonstration shows its
actual existence, or may DO prevent
ed by the passing of the minority
resolution heretofore cited.
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