Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-07-07
HAWAI-.
By Frederic J.Haskin.

The most enthusiastic Americans under
the protection OF the United States nag
are the citizens OF Hawaii. who today
are celebrating the thirteenth anniver-
sary OF the annexation Of Hawaii TO the
United States. For years before July Z,
1898, Hawaii had been clamoring loudly
for admission to Uncle Sans family, and
IL President BENJAMIN Harrison's term OF
office had extended a week longer the
annexation would have taken place hve
years earlier.
January IA. 1893. Queen Liliuokaiani
announced some additions to the con-
stitution Of the kingdom Of Hawaii, one
Of which denied the right Of suffrage to
white men on the island. unless they
were married to native women. To pre-
vent serious consequences Of the riot
caused by this threatened condition, the
United States minister, J. L. Stevens.
Boston, which was then in Honolulu
harbor, to land, for the purpose OF pro-
tecting the lives and property OF Ameri-
cans residing in Hawaii. January IL
nation. declaring the monarchy abro-
gated. and establishing provisional
government, pending an annexation
treaty with the United States. BY ad-
vice Of her ministers IN order 10 prevent
bloodshed, the queen agreed to this pro-
visional government. The annexation
treaty was at that time favored by many
Americans. and, after having passed
through Congress, It was presented sa.e TO 70
days after his Inauguration.
Instead OF signing 1t. Mr.. Cleveland
sent Commissioner Blount to Hawaii in
May to make
Cleveland Ordered secretinves-
Secret Investigation. Blount re-
manned until August and. as the result OF
his report, the United States minister.
Sydney willis, was authorized to try to
act as peace mediator between Liliuo-
kalani and the officers Of the provisional
government Stephen B. Dole. the act
ing president. declined to serve under the
authority of the deposed queen. and the
matter was in controversy in the United
States for some months That Mr.. Cleve
land was anxious to reinstate the queen
on her throne was made evident to all
those in touch with the conditions. Fail
ing in this, the annexation was post
poned by the Turpie resolution. passed
May 81. 1894, in which the United States
wall.
On that same date in Hawaii COM
mittee was formed to frame a constitu-
ton for the Republic OF Hawaii. This
was modelled closely after the Constitu-
ton of the United States 1t was adopted
and on July OF that year Stephen B.
Dole was proclaimed president. 1t was
a tempestuous time for the new republic
because of the numerous plots constantly
being made to restore the monarchy
Although she had spoken the oath of al
lesiance to the Republic of Hawaii. Lili-
uokalani was active in this connection
As result Of plot in which arms
brought from San Francisco by the roy
alists were found concealed on her prem
Uses. the queen herself was held prisoner
for nine months in her palace. She was
pardoned June "a. 1895, with about forty
fellow-conspirators. all of whom took the
oath OF allegiance to the new government
Soon after the election Of President Nc
kinley, Hawaiian annexation negotiations
were renewed. and
Annexation Treaty new treaty was
Is Drawn Up. inrton aan"narv
49, 1897. The resolution of annexation
passed the Senate by a vote Of AZ to
81, and the House Of Representatives by
a vote Of 300 to 81, and was signed by
President Mckinley July Z. 1893. The
formal annexation services took place
in Hawaii August L.. 1898. with no small
amount of ceremony. The United States
flag was raised over the government
building at Honolulu and Hawaii became
a territory of the United States, with the
same rights and privileges as any other
territory.
BY the annexation the United States ac-
qured an additional population approx
mating 10000 persons, composed of al
most every race under the sun. This as
set was greatly augmented in value by
the natural resources of the island no
less than by the commercial importance
of it's situation. 1t lies in the pathway
of every ship crossing the Pacific ocean
from the principal ports Of both North
and South America to the ports Of Asia
and the South Sea Islands.
The development of trade in the Pacific
ocean is increasing each month. The
completion of the Panama canal will give
miles from Honolulu. will be made the
greatest American naval station. The
United States government, recognizing
these things. is strengthening the natural
advantages of Hawaii by additional for
tifications. Diamond Head, the largest
extinct volcano in the world, soon will
bristle with guns and present defense
to any attack from foreign fleets that
will be quite as impregnable as Gibral-
tar. Fortifying volcano Is unique
feat OF military engineering. but it is
soon to be completed.
They are now tunneling through deep
walls of lava, making needful passage
ways, charging the
Cutting Through natural water reser-
~, voir and in every
vans " lava way preparing the
fort SO thoroughly for the resistance OF
attack that its very impregnability may
present the best argument for the peace
of nations. II there comes a great strug-
gle for the mastery Of the Pacific ocean.
Hawaii will become Americas greatest
stronghold.
Despite the fact that It Is an American
territory. and that the English language