The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1898-12-05

nue. cutters from the great lakes 10 lne
Atlantic coast BY way of the Canadian
canal and the St. Lawrence river The
vessels have reached Lake Ontario and
We're there awaiting the opening Of
navigation when war was declared be
tween the United States and Spain.
Her majesty'S government thereupOn,
by communication in the latter part
of April, stated that the permission
granted before the outbreak of hostili-
ties would not be Withdrawn, provided
the United States government gave as
surance that the vessels in question
would proceed direct to a United states
port without engaging in any hostile
operation This government promptly
agreed TO the stipulated condition, 1t
being understood that the vessels would
not be prohibited from resisting any
hostile attack.
It viii give me special satisfaction If
7 shall be authorized to communicate to
you favorable conclusion OF the pend
ing negotiations with Great Britain
in respect to the Dominion Of Canada
Il Is the earnest wish Of this govern
ment to remove all sources of diScOrd
and irritation in relations with the
neighbOring dominion The trade be
tween the two countries IS constantly
increasing, and IL is important to both
countries that all reasonable facilities
should be granted for its DEVELOPMENT
The government of Greece strongly
urges the OnerOusness of the duty here
imposed upon the currants of that
country, amounting to 100 per cent or
more of their market value This fruit
is stated to be exclusively a Greek pro-
duct not coming into competition with
any domestic product The question of
reciprocal commercial relations with
Greece. including the restoration of
currants to the free list, is under con-
sheraton
CaHS bell for damages for injuries sus-
tanned from a violent assault commit
ted against him by military authorities
in the island Of Hayti has been settled
no nh IA n
pay him $4,000 in American gold OF
this sum s.. 600 has already been paid
It is hoped that other pending claims of
American citizens against that republic
may be amicably adjusted.
Pending the consideration by the SEN
ate of the treaty signed June 16, 1897. by
the pleniDOtentiarie Of the United
States and OF the republic of Hawaii,
providing for the annexation OF the is
lands, a joint resolution TO accomplish
the same purpose by accepting the Of
fered cessiOn and Incorporating the
ceded territory into the union. was
adopted by the congress and approved
July :, 1888. I thereupon directed the
United States steamer Philadelphia TO
convey Rear Admiral Miller to Honolulu
and entrusted to his hands this import
ant legislative act to be delivered to
the president OF the republic of Hawaii
with whom the admiral and the United
appropriate arrangements for transfer
ring the sovereignty of the islands to
the United States. This was simply but
irnnressiVely ACCOMPLISHED on the 18th
DAY of August last by the delivery of a
certified copy OF the resolution to Presi-
dent Dole. who thereupOn yielded up TO
the representative of the government
of the United States the sovereignty
and public property Of the Hawaiian
islands.
Pursuant to the terms of the joint
resolution and IN exercise OF authority
thereby conferred upon me. 1 directed
that the civil, judicial and military
powers heretofore exercised by the Off
GERS of the government of the republic
of Hawaii should continue to be e1er-
Cis6d by those officers until congress
shall provide q government for the in
corpOrated territory. subject to my
power to remove such officers and to
and troops of the republic thereupOn
took the oath Of allegiance to the United
States thus providing for the uninter-
rupted continuance OF all the admins
trative and municipal functions of the
annexed territory until congress shall
otherwise act.
Following the further provision Of the
joint resolution, appointed the honor
ables Shelby NJ CUllOm, of Illinois. John
T Morgan, of Alabama. Robert R Hit.
of Illinois; Sanford 3. Dole, of Hawaii,
and Walter F. Grear. OF Hawaii. as
commissioners to confer and recommend
TO congress such legislation concerning
the Hawaiian Islands as they should
deem necessary or proper The com
con6ded to them. their report will be
laid before you at an early day It is
believed that their recommend tons
viii have the earnest consideration due
to the magnitude of the responsibility
resting upon you to give such shape to
the relationship of those mid-Pac1fc
lands to our home union as viii benefit
both in the highest degree, realizing the
aspiratiOns OF the community that has
cast its lot with US and elected to share
our political heritage, while at the same
time, justifying the foresight Of those
who for three-Q quarters OF a century
have looked to the assimilation OF Ha-
wall as a natural and inevitable con-
summation. in harmony with our needs
and in fuldllment of our cherished ira
ditiOns.
The question heretofore pending be-
tween Hawaii and Japan. growing out
Of the alleged mistreatment of japanese
treaty immigrants were. am pleased
10 say. adjusted before the act Of trans
fer by the payment of a reasonable in
oemnity to the government of Japan
Under the provisions of the joint res
olution. the existing customs relations
of the Hawaiian islands with the United
States and with other countries remain
unchanged until legislation shall 9TH
erwise provide. The cOnsuls of Hawaii, (
here and in foreign countries, continue
TO fulfill their commercial agencies. !
while the United States consulate at
is maintained for all proper
services pertaining to trade and the
revenue 1t would be desira bic that all
foreign cOnsuls in the Hawaiian islands
should receive new exequatOrs from this
government
The attention of congress is called
TO the fact that our consular officers Z
having ceased to exist in Hawaii and
being about to cease in other cOun-
tries. coming under the sovereignty OF
the United States. the provisions for the
relief and transportation OF destitute
American seamen in these countries
under our consular relations viii in
terminate It is proper.
therefore. that new legislation should be
enacted upon this subject IN order to
meet the changed conditions.