The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-01-05
Spirited Debate Over Resolution
Asking Information at to With
draHal of Ships from Hawaii.
SPEECH BY SENATOR LODGE
POINTING OUT THE DANGER MEN
TONED BY ADMIRAL WALKER,
And Charging the President with
Wrong in Leaving American Inter-
ests at Honolulu Unprotected.


resolution introduced by Mr.. Lodge, of
Massachusetts, calling on the Secretary of
the Navy for information as to why the
United States war ships had been with
drawn from Hawaiian waters. The debate,
which was interesting throughout, con-
sumed the greater part of the morning
hour, and at it's close the resolution took
its place the calendar, and can be
taken up only by unanimous consent. The
debate listened to attentively by Sem
ators and the visitors in the galleries. Mr..
Morgan concluded his speech on the Near
aguan canal bill, after which the bill max
ing appropriations for support of the Mill
tary Academy for the fiscal year 1886 was
passed. 1t carries an appropriation of $780,
OO0 reduction of $4l.s60 as passed by the
House.
Less than twenty members were in their
seats when Vice President Stevenson called
the Senate to order After the journal had
been approved and the routine morning
business transacted, Mr.. Lodge addressed
the Senate on his resolution of inquiry
to why the United States war ships had
been withdrawn from Honolulu. Mr.. Lodge
said "At the beginning of the session L
introduced resolution asking for the re-
ports and correspondence of Admiral
Walker in regard to Hawaii. My motive
in SO doing was because l believed the opin-
ions and observations of distinguished
and able naval officer, who is n cessarily
outside of all politics, would be of great
value to us in understanding the condition
of affairs there and in reaching a proper
knowledge of our relations with those
islands. Admiral Walkers papers were, as
l had anticipated, most valuable on these
points. They showed that, to disinter-
ested observer, actuated by no motive but
the interests of the United States, it was
perfectly clear that our true policy was
the annexation of those islands. They con-
firmed, in this way. the views expressed by
the Senate in resolution of last summer,
and which, believe, are the views held by
substantially all the American people, ex-
cept those concerned in the present admin
ton, but Admiral Walkers last letter
brought out strongly highly important
ciated. 1t shown to us through the
press that all our war ships had been with
drawn from Hawaii, and that, although
none had been sent back to Honolulu The
letter of Admiral Walker to which have
danger and impoiicy of this Course, and
also proves that our government had been
warned in regard to it by an officer entitled
to speak on such point with the author
ity of an expert Admiral Walker says,
with great frankness. that if the British
men-of-war, well our own, had been
withdrawn it might have been good thing
certainly it would have done no harm to
the stability of the government in the
island
THE ADMINISTRATION SCORED.
Mr.. Lodge then referred to the manner
in which England branched. out to increase
her possessions, and asserted that the Brit
ish ship encouraged the Hawaiian roy
aists, while the absence of the American
vessel gave encouragement to counter
revolution He also referred to the fact that
Japan had war ship at Hawaii. He said
the Importance of Hawaii to the United
States could not be overestimated and
would become greater upon the completion
of the, Nicaraguan canal. He continued:
Under such circumstances, to leave those
lection of an American ship of war and to
leave our interests in Pearl harbor and
the interests of our citizens unguarded APP
pears to be wrong in the very highest de-
gree. What motive actuates the admins
tration in this extraordinary policy it is
impossible to say. If it is their desire to
throw the Sandwich Islands into the hands
of Great Britain, as they have openly pro-
posed to do with Samoa, their action is
comprehensive, but nothing else exp. aims 1T.
Such a policy is SO unpatriotic, however,
that it is difficult to conceive that it should
be entertained. 1t seems to me that, in
view of the vast Importance of the Sand
wich Islands to this country, a great wrong
has been committed in withdrawing our
ships at this moment and that a man-of-
war should be sent there at once. 1t is
for this reason that / have introduced this
resolution of inquiry, and / think our gov
ernmsnt owes it to the people to send
man-of-war to Honolulu without delay. If
it does not do this, it will have no right to
remain silent as to its reasons for such an
extraordinary course.
At the conclusion of Mr. Lodges re-
marks, Mr. Butler moved the reference of
the resolution 10 the committee on foreign
relations. Mr.. Lodge was disposed to COM
bat this reference. insisting that it should
more promptly go to the committee on
naval affairs. The matter was discussed
by Messrs. Butler, Gray, Lodge and others.
Mr.. Aldrlch suggested that the resolu-
formation of the subject from the Presi-
dent. This met the views of Mr.. Sherman.
who SAID the question Vas purely dip.o-
matte one. There was no reason why it
should not pass. The people of the United
sired.
Mr. Morgan declared himself in favor of
annexation and a good friend to the people
of Hawaii. At the same time the resolu-
ton should go to the committee on for
cgn relations. He believed the new re-
public of Hawaii should have an opportu-
nifty to show to the world that il did not
need a crutch to help 1t along.
LIVING CONSPIRACY"
Mr.. Hawley referred to what he termed
the Living conspiracy in the island, and
to the advisability of the people to know
what the policy of the United States is to
| be if revolution breaks out. The inquiry
| that might properly be made.
Admiral Walker. but said that officer had
simply given his opinion of what Great
| Britain would do in the event of certain
contingencies. Mr.. Butler said he had not
| the slightest apprehension on the subject
p! of Great Britain's interference. He insisted
on the reference of the resolution to the
| committee on foreign relations and hoped
! that committee would inquire into the WIS
! dom, propriety and ACCESSIBILITY of its pas
! sage by the Senate.
| Mr.. Hale urged the adoption of the reso-
| luton.
| Mr.. Gray spoke of the scandal and
shame to the American people that mad
/ been brought out by the late Interferences
! In Hawaiian affairs and said he hoped that
/ the country would not again be smrched
/ by it, and in answer to the Senator from
/ Massachusetts Q.odge) he would say that
/ the larger body of public opinion shared
the views ne expressed.
Mr. Aldrich also took part in the dis
cussIon at this point and asked Mr.. Gray
/. concerning the stationing of a snip IN Ha-
/ waiian waters by this government. which
! led the latter to remark that very rnfor-
/ tunatey, there was vessel .named the Bos-
| TON stationed there some time ago. Mr..
! Aldrich then went on TO say thar com
] mission of Hawaiian royalists had visited
Washington some time ago and he had
the United States ships at the islands had
been withdrawn and had not been replaced
He did not say that their withdrawal was
account of the commissions visit, but
IL rather singular circumstance that
/ should haze been Withara following