The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-05-18
ANNEXATION OF HAWAII.
Favorable Report of the House Com
mittee Presented.

Washington, May chairman Hit to-
day presented the majority report Of thS
House committee on foreign affairs IN
favor Of the annexation Of Hawaii by joint
resolution. 1t states that the proposition
is not new to either government. FoI
fifty years it has been apparent that Sc
small and feeble a government must be
merged with a stronger power.
The report states: There is no undue
pressure on the part of The United States
as a greater power, no surprise OF any one,
no possibility of objection by other govern
ments. 1t is simply the obvious result OF
the natural course of events through q
long period Of years thus completed with
the cordial consent of the sovereign powers
Of both governments. The only question
involved is whether the proposed posses
sion of the Hawaiian Islands would be
advantageous to the United States"
The stragetic position of the islands Is
discussed also the risk of delaying ac-
QUESTION, as there is danger of the islands
falling under Japanese influence and con-
troll. American commercial interests would
be promoted and annexation, the report
says, would do away with foreign cOmpli-
cations over the Islands.
A brief argument is made upon the sub
ject of acquiring territory by legislative
act and it is declared that there is moth
ing in the constitution to prevent such ac-
QUESTION.
In conclusion the report says: THE ac-
QUESTION of these islands does not contra
vene our national policy or traditions. II
carries out the Monroe doctrine. which
excludes European powers from interior
ing In the American continent and outly-
ing islands, but does not limit the United
States, and this doctrine has been long APP
piled 10 these very islands by our govern
ment."
The minority report on annexation,
signed by Messrs. Diusmore, Clark, VIII
Jams and Howard, of the committee, sets
out eight reasons against annexation and
offers substitute resolution practically
establishing protectorate over the
islands.
They declare that the Hawaiian people
have not been consulted, nor the American
people, and they charge that 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 are too remote and furnish toe
much additional coast line TO be defended
the population is not racially nor
religiOusly nor otherwise homogene-
GUS with our own; political domin-
ion over the islands Is not commercial
ly necessary; the islands are not, from a
naval or military standpoint, necessary tc
our defense; and admitting that its for
eign occupation would be dangerous t.
us and that "there exists a single nation
willing, in the face of our repeated diplo-
matte declarations of our position to in
cur the dangers of war with us In order
TO seize and hold them. This danger
may be met when the first overt act OF
open declaration shows it's actual exist.
enee, or may be prevented by the passage
of the minority resolution heretofore cit
ed"
Early consideration of the resolutions IN
the House Is most probable.