The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-03-17
SENATOR DAVIS'S REPC
MANY REASONS GIVEN IN FAVOR OF
ANNEXING THE ISLANDS.
Nomination of Il. ". POwderIy to Be
Confirmed by the Senate.

islands be annexed by legislation in open
session. and agreed on joint resolution for
the accomplishment of this purpose, which
Senator Davis was authorized to report to
the Senate Later in the Senate chamber
Senator Davis reported a joint resolution
providing for the annexation of the Ha-
waiian islands. The joint resolution went
to the calendar. Senator Davis did not give
any notice of calling it up. Following is the
text of the resolution
Section 1.-The government of the ReputM
lie of Hawaii, having in due form SignifieW
it's consent in the manner provided by its
Constitution to cede absolutely and without
reserve to the United states OF America all
rights of sovereignty of whatsoever kind
in and to the Hawaiian islands. and their
dependencies, and also to cede and transfer
to the United States the absolute fee and
ownership of all public government or
crown lands. public buildings or ediices,
forts, harbors, military equipments and all
description belonging to the government of
the Hawaiian islands, together with every
right and appurtenance thereunto apper-
tanning; therefore, be it
Resolved, That said cession is accepted,
ratified and confirmed, and that the said
Hawaiian islands and their dependencies be
and they are hereby annexed as a part of
the territory of the United States and are
subject to SOVEREIGN dominion thereof, and
that all and singular, the property and
rights herein before mentioned, are vested
in the United States of America
The resolution then adopts the language
of the treaty, beginning with the second
paragraph of the second section and taking
all the remainder of it, but does not cite it
as a part of the treaty The sum of 800 900
is appropriated by the third and last Sec
ton for the purpose of carrying the resolu-
ton into effect, and this sum is made imme-
diately available Senator Davis said no
determination had been reached as to when
the joint resolution would be called up for
consideration in the Senate
REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE.
Senator Davis submitted with the joint
resolution an extended report of the COM
mittee. The report states that the joint
resolution brings that subject within reach
of the legislative power of Congress under
the precedent that was established in the
annexation of Texas, that circumstance be-
ing referred to at length. The report says:
This important clear and far-reaching
precedent established in the annexation of
the republic of Texas is a sufficient guide
for the action of Congress in the passage of
the joint resolution herewith reported If,
in the judgment OF Congress, such a meas
ure is supported by safe and wise policy
or is based en- a national duty that we owe
to the people of Hawaii or is necessary for
is enough to justify annexation with the
consent of the recognized government of the
| country to be annexed
The report then says the argument
in favor of annexation as it applies to
Hawaii has been exceptional and clear since
our earliest diplomatic relations with that
government. From the beginning down to
this date the idea and expectation has been
constantly entertained by the people and
governments of both countries that when
ever the conditions should be such as to
make annexation of mutual advantage it
should be consummated: On the part of
Hawaii this purpose has been sustained by
two facts First, that no ruler of Hawaii
since the time of Kamehameha I has be-
leved that these islands, that are so tempt
ing to the cupidity of commercial powers
! could maintain an autonomous government
without the interested support of some great
maritime nation. Second, that the rulers of
Hawaii on each occasion when the islands
have been threatened with foreign interfer-
ence or domestic violence have at once ap-
pealed to some foreign power for help"
The report then reviews in detail all the
facts connected with the history of the
islands in which they have sought protec-
ton from outside governments. which has
been accorded. 1.-THE government of the
United States" says the report with a
clear forecast as to the relations that in the
future would naturally exist towards the
people of Hawaii and as to the Importance
of these islands to the United States, as
sumed towards them an attitude that from
the beginning has been entirely exceptional
We have dealt with no other country in the
manner that we have dealt with Hawaii"
THIS GOVERNMENTS DUTY.
The report continues: I'VE owe it to these
people that they should not again be
! brought into subsection to a monarchy that
has lapsed because of its corruptions and
| its faithless Reputation Of solemn oaths
! In this obligation our government is also
deeply concerned for the maintenance and
| enjoyment of our treaty rights in Hawaii
| To these people and also to the preserva-
| ton of the native population against a
speedy destruction, involving property and
| life we owe the duty of rescuing them from
| the silent but rapid invasion of the pagan
races from Asia. 1t is the stealthy APP
| proach of a destruction that wasteth at
| neon day The immigrants from Japan re-
| tain their allegiance to that empire. and yet
they claim fun political rights in Hawaii,
| demand they have the undisguised encour-
! agement of the Japanese government These
| invasion is clearly within the prohibition
! that the United States, in all our solemn
] declarations. have thrown around Hawaii
| to protect that people against all foreign
invasion and interference with their domes-
| tic affairs"
| The report then discusses the attempts to
| restore the kingdom and says: IF Great
| Britain is not induStriously and openly en-
! gagged in fomentng this concerted move
| ment for the destruction of the republic and
| the restoration of the monarchy on it's
ruins, her agents and the princess-her
/ protege-are kept conveniently near at
/ hand to fasten her power upon the islands,
! on the happening of any pretext for the
| protection of the lives and property of the
| British subjects in Hawaii. Japan has OPEN
| ly protested against the annexation of Ha-
| wall to the United States upon grounds
| that indicate unjust suspicion of our ma
| tional honor in our future dealing with her
| subjects in those islands" The report also
! speaks of Frances interest and declares
| that all powers are anxious to acquire
| suzerainty over Hawaii
The report asserts that the grounds of
| objection to annexation are very slight
| compared with the benefits to be derived
| After discussing the various races in the
| islands the report continues: ''It is beyond
| question that as a factor in government
| the united white race is Indispensable to
| the safety of the people of Hawaii and
| they could not control the islands without
| the frequent presence, Ii not the constant
| attendance of the war ships of the United
vessels We're withdrawn for the period of a
| year civil strife and bl0odshed would ensue
and would result in the rule of some white
man as dictator. III. during such a period q
| olulu, the result would be the capture OF
the islands by japan or by llibusters from
| our Pacific coast. When the white race In
Hawaii Is subjected to Kanaka rule those