The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-02-16
IT IS ANNEXATION
Treaty With Hawaii Goes to
the Senate.
SOUTHERN OPPOSITION.
The Sugar Industries Do Not Want
it Ratified.
BUT CONGRESS WILL DO IT.
BUT CONGRESS WILL DO IT.
IL IL Not tho Purpose of the Government
to Extend the Sugar Bounty to the
Hawaiian Islands and the Sugar In
dustry VIII Not suffer-The Next Con-
gress VIII Have An Important Duty
in Adj justing Relations

WASHINGTON, Feb. 16.-The decision
of the administration to send a treaty Of
annexation to Hawaii TO the Senate,
rather than a message To both houses,
recommending the passage OF joint res
olution accepting the proffer of annexa-
ton, as in the case of Texas, is undoubt-
edly the result OF the peculiar present
conditions. 1t has been the desire OF the
President and of all his Cabinet from the
outset TO accept the tender of annexation.
The difficulty has been to determine the
best form and method of doing this, in
view of the short time which intervenes
between now and March 4.
The President has desired, before leav-
ing office, To conclude an arrangement
which would make Hawaii part of the
territory OF the United States. There have
been many difficult problems to be solved
apart from the determination of the best
method in which the proposition should
be submitted To Congress. But, aside
from all other questions, the most vital
appears to have been that which involves
the element of time. II is not certain
that the necessary two-thirds majority
can he secured in the Senate to ratify
treaty. 1t is not certain that joint reso-
luton could have been passed through
the House of Representatives and escape
the attacks of the filibusterers.
The decision evidently has been that
the danger from the House is greater than
that from the Senate. The advocates OF
annexation
Are Evidently More Confident
that they can secure the necessary two
thirds In the Senate than they are that
they could escape the pitfalls which even
one OF the determined filibusters in the
House under existing rules might prepare
for them. II is for this reason, undoubt-
edly, that the decision was reached that
the proposition should be submitted by
treaty rather than by legislative enact
ment.
1t is known that the treaty method is
much preferred by the Hawaiian commits
sion. They do not wish TO risk the dan
ger of delay or the possibility that the
Congress may adjourn and the next one
not meet until the regular session in De-
cember, without action upon this ques-
tion. They admit privately, that they
fear that in that long interval of~nine
months there might be possibility of
counter intrigues in the islands, which
would greatly complicate the situation,
and which might possibly result in the
establishment OF protectorate by Great
Britain.
II favorable action by the Senate upon
the annexation treaty can be secured in
this Congress the government OF the
United States Will unquestionably enact
whatever legislation may be necessary to
carry out the obligation into which the
treaty making power may enter. An en-
abling act making appropriations for va
rious purposes in connection with the
new territory would be necessary, but
that could be passed at the next session of
('nn o. N "a nf annexation
shall have been ratified. That plsinly is
the line of argument which has decided
the administration and the commission
ers to adopt the policy OF annexation by
treaty rather than by joint resolution.
The treaty has been sent to the Senate
as an executive communication, and is
under the
Usual Obligations of Secrecy.
II will be for the Senate to decide whether
or not the injunction OF secrecy shall be
removed and liberty be given to publish
The document. There Is very strong
aversion on the part OF the Senate TO Civ
ing publicity to any draft Of treaty prior
10 ratification. II is very rare that any
such publication has officially been made,
though 1t has frequently happened that,
in various ways, drafts OF treaties have
been made public prior to ratification.
the pending matter, and of the part of the
administration to secure popular approval
for the treaty, the expectation is that the
Senate will decide. at least, that the text
of the draft Of the treaty may be pub
lished. The treaty is very short, not ex-
ceeding 800 words and only lays down
general principles. Ii Is accompanied by
correspondence which IL very volumin-
Gus. This correspondence covers the en-
tire history of the relations between tho
United States and Hawaii. The President
and the secretary OF state are willing that
the treaty and the correspondence shall at
once be made public. Copies OF both have
been made at the state department for
that purpose in the event that the Senate
shall dacide TO remove the Injunction OF
secrecy. But this will depend entirely
upon the Senate. II is evident that the
President Is OF the opinion that he has no
further concern in the matter until after
the Senate shall act, for he left the city
last evening on ducking expedition
which has been postponed since consid-
erable period prior to the death OF Mrs.
Harrison.
The expectation Is that the treaty will
be ratified. Friends OF the measure have
made canvass OF the Senate, and are GER
tain of success. Senator Morgan of Ala
bama, who says for himself that he will
vote for annexstionl
At the Drop OF the Hat.
Is OF the opinion that no more than ten
senators will vote against ratification. It
Is expected that both the senators from
Texas, Mills and Coke, who curiously
enough represent tho only state that was
annexed TO the republic, will vote against
annexation. The Louisiana senators are
also expected to vote against annexation
because OF their apprehensions as To the
continuance OF the sugar bounty law in
the event OF annexation. Senator Petit
grew has also indicated some opposition
to ratification. But the administration