People's Pilot, Volume 2, Number 33, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 February 1893 — WILL PROTECT HAWAII. [ARTICLE]

WILL PROTECT HAWAII.

President Harrison’s Views on the Questio—Annexation Desirable Only as a Last Resort— England Would Not Grumble, He Thinks. WASHINGTON, Feb. 1.—President Harrison seems to hold the key to the solution of the Hawaiian difficulty. His attitude on the matter of annexation is a matter of speculation among the leading men of both parties. From a high authority it is learned that the president is strongly inclined to send to congress a treaty which, when ratified, will amount to a positive protectorate over the islands. He favors annexation only as a last resort, but is strongly disposed from the information at hand to give ample protection to American interests on the island, if need be, by annexing them. His action will be determined only after consultation with the commissioners from the provisional government, who will arrive this week. The objection interposed against annexation of Hawaii to our country has only reinforced the determination of President Harrison to extend a protecting arm over those islands. There is the best of authority for the statement that the recent landing of the 300 American troops from the United States man-of-war, Boston, at Honolulu, which act had the effect of precipitating a revolution, resulting in the dethroning of Queen Lilioukalani, was not without design upon the part of our government, and that it has been the intention of President Harrison for some time to extend a protectorate over the Sandwich islands. The president is not favorable, as has been stated, to the annexation of the islands to the United States except as a last resort, a coup which is not at all likely to be presented. He believes that we should enter into a protectorate compact with the new power, and guaranty noninterference upon the part of any other government.

The senate can ratify a protectorate, which will bind our government to protect the islands and a new government without the necessity of legislation which would require action by both houses of congress. Annexation could not be accomplished without the adoption of a bill by both branches of congress, and with the poverty of information which will be at our command, even after the commissioners have reported, it is not thought advisable to move in the direction of annexation at this time. Besides, it is well known that President Harrison regards a protectorate sufficient and much more desirable than annexation. Should there be any warlike demonstration on the part of England or any other nation, and our interests upon the islands should become jeopardized there can be annexation when congress meets either in regular session or the new administration can convene congress for that action. The president believes that England will submit to protection from our government without much murmur, but he would not be deterred in his purpose, even should there be the most violent British interference. President Harrison has made up his mind to proceed in this affair just as though he had months or years yet to serve at the white house, and as though there was no such government or nation as England. His ears will be deaf to all British threats. The interests of the United States and her citizens upon the Sandwich islands are many times greater than those of Great Britain and her subjects, and American interests are paramount to us at this time. The cabinet agrees with the president that if we don’t annex the islands no other power shall, no matter what the cost may be. Secretary Foster, who was to have sailed for Europe in a few days, will postpone his departure until the propositions of the Hawaiian commissioners are considered and some definite conclusion is reached on that now most important subject.