The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1898-06-07


Secretary Ayers letter to the Speak
er of the house clears the situation
wonderfully. 1t is now known official
ly that the administration proposes
to move promptly upon Cuba with q
force sufficient to conquer the island.
More than this, the communication
carries with it the convincing state
ment that it is to be the policy of the
administration to hold the Philippine
islands, Cuba and Porto Rico. Immedi-
ate connection with these present and
prospective possessions Of the United
States by cable lines is asked. There
will be no necessity for this action un-
less the new territory is to be retained
This being the case, the course of
the president is clear. The Hawaiian
islands should be annexed by execu-
tive action. There is, according to a
published statement, a law under
winch this can be done. Already there
mas been too much temporizing with
antagonistic but powerful forces in
the house and senate. The majority
IN congress is undoubtedly in favor of
and, under ordinary cir
cumstances, this majority could Sc
cure an expression of it's will. I'm
warrantable obstacles, however, have
been interposed in the house, and
even If that body should finally be al
lowed to act, which at last seems prob
able, the lack Of any method in the
senate by which a vote can be secur-
ed without great delay gives to a small
minority a strong lever by which it
a prevent Affirmative action. If,
therefore, the president is determined
to hold the Philippines, as indicated
in Secretary Ayers letter, he will not
fail to use the power in his hands by
which the islands can become a part
of the United States. In his action,
no matter how radical, the country
will support him. He has emphatical-
ly declared himself in favor Of annex
alton. He appealed to congress when
the occasion did not present one
thousandth part Of the necessity
which now confronts us. Without Ha-
Waii, Admiral Dewey cannot be reliev-
ed; without Hawaii, the United States
can no more attempt to hold the Phi
lippines than it can undertake to
dominate the Desert Of Sahara. There
is between San Francisco and Manila
no she1tering harbor for ~recoaling our
vessels. We have no ships that can
make the long run Of over 1000 miles
without replenishing their
OF all war measures the seizure of
Hawaii appeals with greatest force to
the country on every ground Of self
protection. 1t would be a popular, as
it would be a righteous act. Neither
is there any time to be lost. A revo-
luton in the islands, the protest of any
foreign nation against further aid and
comfort to the United States, the en-
barrassment in which the present
anomalous condition of affairs places
the friendly and self-sacrificing Ha-
waiian governmental these and a
score Of other reasons appeal with ire
medOuS power for immediate action.
The future development Of the United
States n be je~orpardiZed by the
hostile action Of a few who find them
selves in a position to Illustrate the
popular will. 1t would be better, Of
course, If annexation could come by
the ratification of a treaty or the
adoption Of a joint solutio in con-
gress. but the president ought not to
hesitate if delay threatens.
If the Philippines are not to be re-
tanned, we can afford to wait. Other
wise, the seizure of the islands, we
repeat, becomes the plain duty Of the
president. 1t is a long stretch from
the Pacific coast to the Philippines. A
~stepping-stone is imperatively needed.
Will the president see to it that we do
not lose it? He is patriotic, far-seeing,
American. He ought not
to hesitate-he will not hesitate-When
the path Of duty is so clear, so neces-
sary, so certain of the approval of the
entire country.