Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-01-04
HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS
They Are Discussed at Some Length
in the Senate.
MIR. LODGES RESOLUTION THE CAUSE
Why a Warship is Not Sent to
Honolulu.
HOUSE CURRENCY DEBATE

Less than twenty Senators were in their
seats today when Vice President Steven
son called the Senaee to order.
After the journal had been approved and
the routine morning business transacted
Mr.. Lodge CMass.) addressed the Senate
upon his resolution of inquiry as to why
the United States warships had been with
drawn from Honolulu.
Mr. Lodge said: AT the beginning of
the session / introduced resolution ask
ing for the reports and correspondence of
Admiral Walker IN regard to Hawaii. My
motive in SO doing was because l believed
the opinions and observations of dis
tinguished and able naval officer, who Is
necessarily outside Of all politics, would be
of great value to us In understanding the
condition of affairs there and in reaching
proper knowledge of our relations with
these islands. Admiral Walkers papers
were, as L had anticipated, most valuable
on these points. They showed that to a
diSintereSted observer, actuated by no mo-
tive but the interests of the United States,
it was perfectly clear that our true policy
was the annexation of those islands They
confirmed in this way the views expressed
by the Senate in their resolution of last
summer, and which, l believe. are the
views held by substantially all the Amer
lean people, except those concerned in the
present administration. All this was val
liable information, but Admiral Walkers
last letter brought out strongly a highly
important point, which had thus far not
been appreciated. 1t was known to us
through the press that all our warships
had been withdrawn from Hawaii, and
that although several were lying idle at
Mare Island. none had been sent back to
Honolulu. The letter of Admiral Walker
to which l have referred, diScloses in a
striking way the danger and impolicy OF
this course, and also proves that our gov
eminent had been warned in regard to 1t
by an officer entitled to speak on such
point with the authority of an expert.
Admiral Walker says, with great frank
ness, that if the British men-of-war, us
well as our own, had been withdrawn, it
might have been good thing; certainly it
would have done no harm to the stability
OF government in the Islands,
American interests should De Pro-
tected.
He then referred to the manner in which
England reached out to increase her pos
sessions. and asserted that the British ship
encouraged the Hawaiian royalists, while
the absence of the American vessel gave
encOurag ement to counter revolution.
He also referred to the fact that Japan had
a Warship at Hawaii. He said the import
ance of Hawaii to the United States could
not be oyerestimated and would become
greater upon the completion Of the Mica
raguan canal. He continued:
Under such circumstances. to leave
those islands without the countenaRce and
protection of American ship-of- war,
and to leave interests in Pearl harbor
and the interest of our citizens unguarded,
appears to me wrong in the very highest
degree. We should show our interest in
the islardS in every proper way. What
motive actuates the administration in this
extraordinary policy it is impossible TO say.
II it is their desire to throw the Sandwich
Islands into the hands of Great Britain,
as they have openly proposed to do with
Samoa, their action is incomprehenSibie,
but nothing else explains it, Such policy
is 50 unpatriotic, however, that it is diff
cult to conceive that it should be enter
tanned 1t seems to me that in view of the
vast Importance of the Sandwich Islands to
this great country, a great wrong has been
committed i'll withdrawing our ships at
this moment, and that a man-ofWar
should be sent there at once. 1t is for this
reason that l have introduced this resolu-
ton of inquiry, and l think govern
ment owes it to the people to send d man
of-war to Honolulu without delay. If they
do not do this they will have right to
remain silent as to their reasons for such
an extraordinary course"
Resolution Modified.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Lodges re-
marks Mr.. Butler Is. c. moved the ref
erence of the resolution to the committee
on foreign relations. Mr.. Lodge was dis
posed to combat this reference, insisting
that it should more properly go to the com
Nilttee on naval alldliS
Tie matter was discussed by MeSsrs.
Butler, Gray and Lodge and others.
Mr.. Aidrfch suggested that the resolu-
ton be modified to request the infor-
nation on the subject from the President.
This met with the views of Mr.. Sherman,
who said the question was purely a diplo-
matte one There was no reason why it
should not pass. The people of the United
States Were entitled to the informatio
desired.
Several Senators Speak.
Mr.. Morgan (Ala) declared himself in ia
yor Of annexation and a good friend to the
people Of Hawaii. At the same time, the
resolution should go to the committee
fol- eign relations. He believed the new re-
public of Hawaii should have opportun-
ity to show to the world that it did not
need a crutch to help it along.
Mr.. Hawley Comm referred to what he
termed the living conspiracy in the is
land and to the ACCESSIBILITY Of the peo-
pie to know what the policy of the United
States is to be if u revolution broke out.
The inquiry was one that might properly
be made
spect for Admiral Walker, but he had SIM
ply given his opinion of what Great Brit
ain would do in the event of certain con-
tingences. MIR. Butler said he had not
the slightest apprehension on the subject
of Great Britair's interference. He insist
ed upon the reference of the resolution 20
the committee on foreign relations ana
hoped that committee would inquire INFO
the wisdom, propriety and ACCESSIBILITY of
its passage by the Senate.
Mr. Hale CMe) urged the adoption Of the
resolution.
Mr.. Gray OeL) spoke of the scandal
ard shame" to the American people that
had been brought about by the late inter-
ference in Hawaiian affairs and said he
hoped that the country would not again
be smirched by it, and in answer to the
Senator from Massachusetts dodge he
would say that the larger body of public
opinions shared the views he expressed.
Juggling With the Question.
Mr.. Aldrich also took part in the discus
sion at this point and asked Mr.. Gray
concerning he stationing of a ship in
Hawaiian waters by this government,
which led the latter to remark that very
unfortunately there was a vessel called
the Boston stationed there some time ago.
Mr.. Aldrich then went on to say that
commission of Hawaiian royalists had Wis
tied Washington some time ago, and he
had been told that subsequently to that
visit the United States ships at the islands
had been Withdrawn and had not been re-
placed. He did not say their withdrawal
was on account of the commissions visit,