The record-union., 1898-05-18

to Annex the Islands.
WASHINGTON, May 1.-THE news
published this morning that Hawaii
would not proclaim neutrality, but
probably enact an occupation BILL
which. when ratified by the Senate,
would enable the United States to
raise its flag over the islands, and use
them as base of supplies and opera
1ion during the war was commented
upon generally to-day at the Capitol
1t was not considered surprising.
Representative Hit, Chairman of
the Committee on Foreign Affairs, ex-
pressed the prevailing opinion: This
probable action on the part of Hawaii, d"
he said, is certainly in strict accord
with what might be expected. Having
Favored a pending treaty for annexa
tion, having manifested her willingness
and eagerness to become a part of the
United States, it would be entirely in
consistent for Hawaii now to declare
neutrality and manifest no preference
and show no favor between this Gov
ernment and its enemy Her refusal
to declare neutrality and her PROPOSE
dion to lend herself as a base of sup
plies in our emergency, pending the dis
position of the propositions now before
Congress looking to annexation would
ibe strong evidence Of good faith on
uhe part Of Hawaii, and would add
much to the influence already at work
to accomplish annexation"
The Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations has never considered as
body the bill which the Hawiian Gov
ernment favors for the occupation of
"a TSIo INTr 4bO
States in case of war, but some of the
individual members of the committee
know that such a measure was in con-
temptation: by the Hawaiian authori-
ties.
Senator Davis, Chairman of the COM
mittee and Senator Frye, who occupies
next place. both had such knowledge,
and both stated that the committee had
never taken the matter up in any way.
They however, approve the proceed
ing as individual Senators, and ex-
press the opinion that if the Hawaiian
Legislature passed the bill it would be
well for the United States to accept the
the tender of the islands. The Iegis-
1ation proposed would, they say, make
Hawaii an ally of ours, and they be-
1ieVe the cooperation of the island gov
eminent likely to be Importance to US
They say the measure under consid-
Grafton by the Hawaiians is a simple
bill, granting authority to use the Ha-
Waiian Territory practically as they
would the territory of this country Its
acceptance on our part would be equiv
alent to the formation of an alliance,
but doubt is expressed among some
Senators as to whether the President
would be disposed to enter upon it in
hn oh NT
10 the annexation of Hawaii
Senator Davis to-day expressed the
hope that the House would pass the
Hawaiian annexation resolution within
she next week or two, and he said if
It should do so, he would ask the SEN
ate TO take it up and dispose of it be-
fore the final adjournment of Con-
gress.
FAVOR ANNEXING ISLANDS.
WASHINGTON, May 17.-Chairman
Hit to-day presented the majority re-
port of the House Committee on For
eign Affairs in favor Of the annexa-
1ion of Hawaii by joint resolution. 1t
states that the proposition is not new
to either Government. For fifty years
years it has been apparent that so small
and feeble Government must be merg-
ed with a stronger power.
The report states that there is no
undue pressure on the part of the
United States as great power; no
surprise to anyone: no possibility of OBJ
jectiOns by other Governments It is
simply the obvious result of the course
of events through a long period of
years, thus completed with the cordial
consent of the sovereign powers of both
Governments. The only question in
volved is whether the proposed possess
sion of the Hawaiian Islands would be
advantageous to the United States"
The strategic Importance of the ISL
ands is then discussed, also the risk
of delaying acquisition, as there is dan
ger of the islands falling under Japa-
nese influence and control American
commercial interests would be promot-
ed, and action, the report says, would
do away with foreign complications of
the islands.
A brief argument is made upon the
subject of acquiring territory by legis-
1ative Act and ii is declared that there
is nothing in the Constitution to pre-
vent such acquisition.
In conclusion the report says: "The
acquisition of these islands does not
contravene our national policy or ira
LiitiOns. 1t carries out the Monroe doc
trine. which excludes European pow
ers 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 1881 the
situation of the Hawaiian Islands, gives
them strategic control of the North
Pacific, bringing their possession with
h.. sNrg ,e
American policy. The annexation of
these islands does not launch us upon
a new policy or depart from our time
honored traditions of caring first and
foremost for the safety and prosperity