The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-05-18
Declared That it is In Accord With
Monroe Doctrine
AND ISNOT UNCONSTITUTIONAL
\ Minority Report Submitted Giving
Einht Reasons Why Islands Should
Not be Annexed-Some Strong
Facts-Islands are Remote
and not Necessary from
Military Standpoint.

WASHINGTON, May H.-Chairman
Hit to-day presented the majority re-
port OF the House Committee on Foreign
Affairs in favor Of the annexation Of Ha-
wall by joint resolution. 1t states that
the propositlon Is not new to either the
neople or Congress For fully fifty years
il has been recognized that this feeble
government must be merged into
stronger power.
The report states: There is no undue
pressure on the part Of the United states
as a greater power; no surprise or any
one. no possibility Of objections by other
governments. IL IS simply the obvious
result of the natural course OF events
through a long period OF years. thus COM
pleted with the cordial consent of the
sovereign powers of both governments
The only question involved IS whether the
proposed possession Of the Hawaiian ISL
ands would be advantageous TO the
United States"
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE.
The strategic Importance of the islands
is then discussed also the risk OF delay
Ing acquisition as there Is danger OF the
islands falling under Japanese influence
and control American commercial IN
terests would be promoted. and anneXa-
tlon. the report says, would do away with
foreisn complications OF the Islands
brief argument is made upon the subject
OF acquiring the islands by legislative .ac-
ton and it Is declared that there Is noth-
ing IN the Constitution 10 prevent such
acquisition. In conclusion the report
says: THE acquisition OF these islands
does not contravene our national pohcy
OF traditions. 1t carries out the Monroe
doctrine, which excludes European pow
ers from interfering in the American con-
tinent and outlying islands but does not
limit the United States, and TINS doctrine
has been long applied 10 these very ISL
ands by our government
AGAINST ANNEXATION.
The minority report on annexation sign
"a nv Afessrs Dinsmore. Clark Williams
and Howard. OF the committee sets OUT
eight reasons against annexation ana
offers a substitute resolution practically
establishing a prOtectorate over inc
islands.
They declare that the Hawaiian people
have not been consulted; nor the Amer
lean people, charging the only nope lor
annexation is under the cry OF war
emergency" before tho people can be con-
suited.
The other counts specified against an
nexatIon are that annexation IN the
manner proposed is unconstitutional the
islands too remote and furnish too much
additional commercial line TO be defend-
ed The people is not racially nor rells-
iously, nor otherwise homogeneous Win
our own; political dominion over the
Islands Is not commercially necessary
the islands are not from naval or MIL
itary standpoint necessary 10 our deiehse
a,aa .ha, admitting that its foreign Oc-
cupation would be dangerous to US ana
that 'there exists single nation VIII
ing I'm the face Of our repeated diDlo-
matte declarations Of our position TO IN
cur the declaration OF war when mas
been made. This declaration may be met
when the first overt act shows us actual
existence or may be prevented by the
passage OF the minority resolution hereto
fore cited.
Early consideration OF the resolution
in the House Is prOOable