The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-15
HAWAII TO BE TAKEN IN HAND.
TREATY OF ANNEXATION TO BE
SENT TO THE SENATE.

SENT TO THE SENATE.
The Document Reported All Ready
For Signature by the President ON
His Return to Washington From
the sOuth-It Is Said to Have Been
Drawn by His Direction After a
Careful study of All the Facts in
the situntiOn-Japans Eye ON the
Islands.
Washington, June H-A treaty for the
annexation of Hawaii to the United States
will be sent to the Senate soon after the
return of the President, unless present
plans are altered. The treaty has been
written and all its details were fully
agreed upon before the President and Sec
retary Sherman left for the south. The
treaty is on the general lines of the treaty
negotiated during the administration of
President Harrison, and withdrawn by
President Cleveland. 1t provides for an
nexation without the exaction of condi-
tions on the part of the Hawaiians as to
the form of government to be vouchsafed
to Hawaii, leaving that question to be en-
tirely disposed of by the government of
the United States.
The United States will agree, however,
to assume the debt of the present Hawaii
an, government. but will come into posses
sion of all the Hawaiian crown lands and
other possessions.
Several senators have received definite
information concerning the existence of
the treaty and are well acquainted with
it's terms though they refuse to discuss
the matter, having received the informa-
ton in confidence. The knowledge of the
existence of the treaty has been communi-
catd to the committee on foreign relations
and also to members of the finance COM
mittee. In the republican caucus the sub
ject of the treaty had been hinted at, but
in rather a vague manner.
Senators asserted that there were in
progress negotiations looking to annexa-
ton, but they would not aver that they
knew treaty had been drawn, nor would
they give any assurances that it would soon
sation with other senators, however, they
gave Information that was definite
enough to satisfy those with
whom they talked that the treaty
was not only to be sent in, but that it
was now already drawn and only await
ing the signature of the officers of the
two governments to complete. 1t is known
that the approval of the committee on for
eign relations is assured as eight mem
bers of the committee have approved its
terms, and this will enable the committee
to speedily report the treaty to the Senate
50 that it may be taken up Immediately
after the tariff bill has been disposed of.
This has been canvassed to certain ex-
tent by senators favoring annexation, and
while there are some senator's who are
! non-committal, it is believed by the sup
porters Of the proposition that they can
count upon the tWo-thirds vote neces-
sary to insure ratification.
The especial friends Of the president
about the Senate say that the treaty has
been made in accordance with his views
and that it would have been sent in some
time ago, but for his exactions as to de-
tails. The present condition in Hawaii, 1t
is said, has had much to do with the fav-
orable consideration of the treaty of an
neXation The present government OF
Hawaii and the people, who support it,
are very much concerned about the Japa-
nese situation. Private Information re-
ceived by Bawaiians in this city is to the
effect that Japan may at any time take
| some action looking to acquisition of the
| island. The advices officially received are
Of much the same tenor. The sentiment
in the Senate seems to be that Japan
should in no way control the islands, OF
get a foothold there. This argument has
been used to prevent even notice of abro-
cation Of the present treaty in the tariff
bill 1t is said that such notice might be
followed by japanese occupation, and the
island could not be regained by the United
States without a struggle.
In this connection, IL Is learned that the
conversations among the most prominent
japanese residents of Hawaii which have
been reported to the representatives of the
island In Washington have been Of a
threatening character and that the
American residents have more concern
than has been shown i'm the published ac-
counts. The officials at the state depart
ment steadfastly refuse to make any
statement as to the negotiation Of a treaty
providing for the annexation Of Hawaii
and at the Hawaiian legation the same 81
lence Is observed. However, Il Is known
that the treaty, though not yet signed, is
drawn up ready for signature and as the
President Is fully aware Of it's scope, there
is no reason to doubt that he will au-
thOrize its signature
IL is expected the document will be sent
to the Senate for its action very soon,
even within a week 1t Is said in some
well informed quarters. If this be the
case, it will be taken for granted that the
President has taken steps to assure him
self Of a favorable reception for the treaty
IN the Senate, and to guard against such a
mishaD as befell the arbitration treaty