Evening star., 1897-05-12
Hawaii In the House.

The debate in the House yesterday over
Che item in the sundry civil bill appro-
Vriating SJ1O00 for the improvement of
Pearl Harbor. Hawaii. indicated that there
u a very considerable sentiment III that
9ody in favor of this extension of the naval
facilities of the United States. The able
explanation made by Mr.. Hit. chairman
Of the committee on foreign affairs. should
have been convincing to all minds that.
whatever may be the ultimate policy of
the government with regard to annexa-
tion. Pearl Harbor. granted 10 this country
several years ago for use as a naval sta
tlon, should be improved without delay.
IL annexation be accomplished the harbor
will be improved as a matter of common
sense. affording as IL does the very finest
lo;ation for a completely equipped navy
yard at any ooint in the Pacific. If an
Dexation fail Pearl Harbor Will be even
more necessary 20 the United States fer
the protection of its great interests in the
tslaI 6s Mr.. Hits remarks were the more
more notable because Of the position which
1e holds in the House when that body is
fully organized and also because of his
usually conservative course in treating such
matters He is recognized as the leader
In all questions regarding the foreign re-
iadons OF the government, and his words
have great waight with members of all
political parties. He spoke yesterday with
emphasis OF the need of an American es-
tablishment in Hawaii. which is coveted
not only by Japan but by England whose
designs upon all the available vantage
points Of the world notorious. Mr..
Cummings. too, spoke earnestly of the
need for action He represents the naval
side of the controversy, and is familiar
a he
mediate occupation of Pearl Harbor. it's
Improvement and the equipment there of
a naval station of proper size and facili-
ties AT the same time he put himself
squarely on record as favoring annexation
and paid the President the compliment of
expressing the belief that he will not leave
the White House before Hawaii has be-
come an integral part of the United States
Incidentally 1t is gratifying to be able to
discern in this debate a tendency to re-
sent the action Of the Senate finance COM
mittee in abrogAting the Hawaiian reci-
procity treaty. Il may be that the House
Will not have occasion to vote on this
question, for 1t Is hoped that the Senate
will strike this objectionable feature from
the tariff bill. This cad will be made the
more secure. however. by such expressions
OF opinion those that punctuated the
DEBATE IN the House yesterday. They tend
TO serve notice OH the Senate that the CO.
ordinate branch looks with disfavor on the
underhanded business of striking down an
equitable arrangement with a nation so
closely allied with the United States in
every way 1t appears that some doubt
exists as to whether the abrogation of the
reciprocity agreement nullifes the grant
OF the harbor. Mr.. Hit does not believe
that 1t does. but he admits that there is
q question about the matter and that the
Hawaiian government will be inclined to
press the point that the harbor goes with
the reciprocity arrangement. Under the
circumstances the wise and equitable
course Is to avoid all such trouble by leav-
ing untouched the entire treaty. Mean
while no time should be lost in the i'm
provement of the harbor, the cost Of which
will Increase with each year of delay.