The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-05-18
HAWAIIAN ANNEXATION.
Mr. Hits Report on the joint ResOIu-
tiOn-The Republics Action,

ttOn-The Republics Action.
WASHINGTON, May 17.-Chairman Hit
to-day presented the majority report of the
House committee on foreign affairs in favor
of the annexation of Hawaii by joint reso-
luton. 1t states that the proposition is not
new to either government For fifty years it
has been apparent that so small and feeble
government must be merged with
stronger power. The report states there is
no undue pressure on the part of the United
States as greater power; no surprise of
any one; no possibility of objections by 9TH
er governments. 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 governments The only question in
voived is whether the proposed possession
of the Hawiian islands would be advan-
tageous to the United States
The strategic Importance of the islands is
then discussed. also the risk of delaying ac-
QUESTION IS there is danger of the islands
falling under Japanese influence and control.
American commercial interests would be
promoted and annexation, the report says,
would do away with foreign complications
of the island. A brief argument is made
upon the subject of acquiring the territory
by legislative act and it is declared that
there is nothing in the Constitution to pre-
vent such acquisition. In conclusion the re-
port says: The acquisition of these islands
does not contravene our national policy or
traditions. 1t carries out the Monroe doc
trine, which excludes European powers from
interfering in the American continent and
outlying islands, but does not limit the
United States and this doctrine has been
long applied to these very islands by, our
government. As Secretary Blaine said. in
1SSl-the situation of the Hawaiian islands,
giving them strategic control of the North
Pacific. brings their possession within the
range of questions of purely American pol
Icy. The annexation of these islands does
not launch us upon new policy or depart
from our time-honored traditions of caring
first and foremost for the safety and pros
perity of the United States"
tion si@ned Nv SfessrS nj DSnsnn LIZ
Williams and Howard, of the committee,
sets out eight reasons against annexation,
and offers a substitute resolution prac-
tically establishing protectorate over the
islands. They declare that the Hawaiian
people have not been consulted. nor the
for annexation is under the cry of war
emergency" before the people can be con-
suited The other counts specified against
annexation are that annexation in the man.
ner proposed is unconstitutional; the ISL
ands too remote and furnish too much ad-
ditional coast line to be defended; the popu-
lation is not racially nor religiousiy nor
otherwise homogeneous with our own, po-
litical dominion over the islands is not com
from naval or military standpoint neceS-
sary 20 our defense, and that admitting
that its foreign occupation would be dan
serous to us. and that there exists 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 he
met when the first overt act or open dec
laration shows its actual existence or may
be prevented by the passage of the minority
resolution heretofore cited.
The news that Hawaii would not pro-
claim neutrality, but probably would en-
act an occupation bill, which. when rati-
fled by the Senate, would enable the United
States to raise it's flag over the islands and
use them as base of supplies and opera
tions during the war was commented on
generally to-day at the Capitol. 1t was not
considered a surprise Representative Hit
of Illinois. chairman of the committee on
foreign affairs, expressed the prevailing
opinion. This probable action on the part
accord with what might be expected Hav-
ing favored a pending treaty for anneXa-
ton. having manifested her willingness and
States, Ii would be entirely inconsistent for
Hawaii now TO declare neutrality and mani
fest no preference and show no favor be-
tween this government and its enemy. Her
refusal to declare neutrality and her propo-
Eition to lend herself as a base of sup
plies In our emergency pending the disposi-
ton of the propositions now before Con
gress looking to annexation would be strong
evidences Of good faith s on the part of
ence already at work to accomplish an
nexation."
The Senate committee on foreign rela
tons has never considered as a body the
bill which the Hawaiian government favors
formally permitting the occupation of the
Hawaiian islands by the United States In
case of war but some Of the individual
members of the committee knew that such
q measure was in contemplation by the
Hawaiian authorities. Senator Davis chair
man of the committee, and Senator Frye
who occupies the next place. both had such
knowledge and both stated that the com
mittee had never taken the matter lp n
any way. They. however. approve the pro
ceediDg individual senator's and expires
the opinion that II the Hawaiian Legisla
ture passes the bill IL would be we'll for IN
United States TO accept the tender Of the