Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1899-11-13
WOULD ANNEX HAWAII.


WOULD ANNEX HAWAII.
senator Iuilum Is to Introduce u
Bill-Our samoan Interests.
Washington, Nov. 13.-"Early in the
coming session of congress 1 will re-
introduce my bill for the annexation of
Hawaii and will press it to passage"
said Senator Cullom. Continuing the
senator said:
TT will be remembered that con-
gressional committee of which | was a
member visited Hawaii and made a
full report. The demands of the public
business, growing out of the Spanish
war, in connection with the crowded
calendar which always characterizes a
short session of congress like the last.
made it impossible to take up the
Hawaiian question.
The people of the island have DEM
onstrated their capacity for self-gov-
Iernment are already thoroughly Amer
icaniZed and understand the conditions
which have delayed action. They are
patiently awaiting the pleasure of con-
gress. and, in my opinion, are entitled
to first consideration. / believe we
should dispose of Hawaiian annexation
before we take up any of the new in
sular possessions.
II confidently expect early action up-
on the Hawaiian bill, and also believe
that something will be done by congress
at the approaching session to relieve
Porto Rico. ii may not be deemed eX-
pedient to take final action upon the
lanneXaton or other disposition Of the
island, hut congress should, in my judg-
ment, take the first steps toward prepar-
ing the people for their destiny. The
long Spanish rule in the island, the inn
poyerished condition of the people, their
Ignorance and prejudices, all demand
that we should begin at once to Ameri-
canize the island. American enter
prises and capital should be encouraged
to go there, and many other things
c uId be done by congress at the next
session for Porto Rico, while it is being
passing through the first stages of its
new existence.
In my opinion the form of govern
men which we propose for Hawaii could
be given in a measure TO Porto Rico
W beneficial results. Hawaii is tt
have governor and les -lature, con-
|sisting of a senate and a house of rep
resentatives, whose members will be
elected upon certain property qualif-
cations. The qualifications for voters,
that they must read and speak the ma
tive or English language understand
|ingly, might be extended to Porto Rico
with other conditions.
In Hawaii we propose to extend the
jurisdiction of the Ninth circuit court.
over which Judge Morrow, of Califor-
mia. now precides. 1t might be consld-
ered desirable to place Porto Rico with
in one of the southern or eastern cir
cults.
While I expect the early passage of
the Hawaiian bill and believe that con-
gress Will take up Porto Rico at the
next session, | do not attempt to pre-
dict what will be done for the latter is
land
Tutuila, the Samoan island which
falls to the United States in the recent
arrangement completed between Ger
many and England, subject to ratifica-
tion by the United States government
becomes n valuable addition to the pos
sessions of the United States in the Pa
cific. With but a small area and popu-
lation. which, according to the treasury
bureau of statistics are but fifty -four
square miles and 1000 population. it
possesses the most valuable island har-
Dor in the south Pacific. A representa-
tive of the London Times recently in
Washington, who had visited and was
thoroughly familiar with not only the
Samoan islands. but those of the Pa
cific generally, pronounced the harbor
nf ppO In, th.a tcln I'D .,rn nN,,t ~,
the best in all the Pacific and Pearl
harbor, in the Hawaiian group, the
next in value as a harbor.
The interest of the United States in
the Samoan islands, and especially Tu-
tuila, began in 1872, when Commander
Meade of the United States navy made
"a treaty with Maunga, the great chief
of the island of Tutuila, by which the
port of Pago Pago was to become the
property of the United States ON con-
dtion that a friendly alliance be made
between the island and this govern
ment. The final treaty was signed on
January Z, 1878. and the ratifications
exchanged on February Is.
The port of Pago Pago was shortly
after the treaty surveyed by the United
States government and a coaling sta
ton was established last year. In con-
sidering the value of Tutuila and its
harbor of Pago Pago, 1t is proper to add
that the Samoan naval disaster of 1889,
in which a number of naval vessels
We're wrecked during a severe storm
occurred in the roadstead OF Apia, ON
the island Of Upolu, and not in the
Sand-locked harbor OF Pago Pago.