Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1898-01-04
GREAT ANNEXATION DEBATE
Held in Boston by Boutwell, and
Belklap with TIVE Aids.
The Former Governor Opposes and the Ad-
miral Supports the SCheme-COnSul
Gilman Takes Hand.

waiian question, ex Governor
George S. Boutwell, and Rear Ad-
miral George 4. Belknap, entered
the forum of the Boston Boot and
Shoe Club at Young's Hotel last
night. President Charles p. Shil
laber also had at his table Hon.
Gorham ID. Gilman, Hawaiian
Consul-General for the New Eng
land States, and Moorfeld Story.
Elk Governor Boutwell, was the
first speaker. He opposed annex |
alton, saying: "Since the organ
ization of the government there
have been four. opportunities for
the annexation of territory within
continental lines, and all of them
have been accepted. In the same
period there have been three tend
ers of insular possessions, two of
them without direct consideration
of money; and all Of them have
been declined"
Mr.. Boutwell, then sketched the |
facts regarding the tender of the
Sandwich Islands, st. Thomas
and San Domingo. Mr.. Webster
declined the first; the second un-
dertalling failed, and the Senate |
rejected the offer Of San Domingo,
and then he went on: The .
country has accepted continental .
territory as wise public policy,
now fully justified by experience,
and it has uniformly rejected in.
sular possessions. The burden of
proof is upon those who demand a
change in our public policy"
Further on he advanced the |
propositions: First, continental
acquisition of contiguous terrific.
ny tends to peace; second, the ac-
QUESTION of insular territory in
creases the chances of war, and
add.s to the difficulties in the way
of conducting war" Discussing
these propositions he argued that
the possession of the islands |
would not be a source of strength
in case of wer. The example of
Great Britain was not for the
United States.
"The future of the United
States cannot be predicted, but of
unoccupied territory we have a
vast domain. By the treaty of
1916 and the amendment of 1887 .
we have as full control of the Ha-
yaiian Islands as we should have
we're the islands made a part of
he United States. BY the treaty .
f 1887 we acquired Pearl River
.arbor, the most valuable harbor
the islands. All the benefits
nat can come from a nation are
ow enjoyed by us. They will be
ontinued to be enjoyed by us
nd by our successors through
ANY generations, while we and
icy are to be relieved of all res
onsibility for the government of
g islands. Moreover, the isl.
IDS can rest secure in mid
can, as Belgium and SwitZer-
nd are secure, though surround
by rival and hostile states"
Governor Boutwell, was follow |
by Admiral Belknap, who took
other side.
Il have been an anneXationist
n since first saw the islands,
1874" said the admiral. The
erests of the United States in
islands are Indeed paramount
those of any other country.
nations recognize this fact and
willing to bow to it, i, we do
shortsightedly reject their
d. What the islands are to-
in progress, wealth and pros
ity is due TO the benefits con-
ed by reciprocity between our
airy and the islands, and to
work of our me rchauts, our
ssmen and our missionaries.
idea of the naturalization of
islands is, to my Judgment,
only absurd, but mischievous
ould be a continual breed
of international troubles. !
island republic has been ,
,lished. We have recognized |
ilidity by receiving its Minis
at Washington and in accre-
g our own Ministers Pleni-
ltiary to Honolulu. The re-
C of Hawaii offers itself to
overeignty. If we reject it it
)e through blind faulty"