Evening star., 1897-06-16

Senate today over the announcement that
the Hawaiian annexation treaty had been
signed and would be received by the Sem
ate today. Already the forces on the two
sides of the question are preparing for the
contest over ratification, which It ID well
understood will be stubbornly waged from
the beginning. The friends Of the treaty
now say that there will be q decided effort
to secure ratification during the present
session of the Senate, and some of them
go so far as to say that 1t will not even
wait upon the tariff bill. but that ratif1ca-
ton Will be urged instead of action upon
the existing reciprocity treaty. They real
ize, however. that the opposition will be
SO strong as to render this program douDt-
full of execution.
Senator Kyle. who is one of the most
JEALOUS of the senatorial advocates OF an
nexation. said today that canvass OF the
Senate indicated that there were 50 votes
certain for annexation. The Constitution
requires a two-thirds vote for the ratifica-
tion of treaties, making 60 necessary 10
ratify. Senator Kyle says there are fully
a dozen senators who are doubtful from
whom to draw the five votes necessary to
insure ratification. In their calculations
the friends of the treaty count upon the
solid support of the republican senators on
account of the fact that 1t will be an ad-
ministration measure. They also expect
to have all the populists. and are hopeful
of having all the silver republicans except
Pettlgrew. They also count upon 1alr
sprinkling of democrats, but they expect
to meet their principal opposition In the
democratic party in the Senate.
There will be an effort to, secure the
prompt report of the treaty from the com
mittee on foreign relations, to which II
will be referred. There appears no doubt
that large majority of the committee vii!
be found favorable to the agreement. Or
the eleven members OF this committee
NIL
Lodge, Clark. Foraker. Morgan and Turpie,
are said to be committed to the treatys
support, both in committee and in the
Senate.
Senator White of California announced
himself today as determined to oppose the
ratification of the treaty, and expressed
doubt as to a serious effort being made
to secure ratification at the present ses-
the ground of the small percentage of
Americans in Hawaii. there being only
about 5000 out of total population OF
100. 600 He thinks it very doubtful whether
the treaty can secure the necessary two
thirds vote to assure ratification
1t is the purpose of the supporters of
the treaty to introduce Joint resolution
either in the Senate or the House at an
early day providing Tor annexation. Ihey
consider the treaty method the preferable
way of proceeding, but say that as they
are not confined to this method they will
avail themselves of the alternative If
Inc reSOluIlOn WOulO require
crly majority vote. and they express no
doubt that this vote could be secured in
both hot ses.
The protest of Japan against the treaty
of annexation was discussed among sena-
tors today and the impression was that
the result would be to make votes for
the treaty and make Its ratification pos
s.ble at this session of Congress. Some
senators who talk favorably of annexation
say that they would prefer to defer action
until next December. wheT more time
could he given to. the consideration Of the
treaty and the Senate be better informed
as to the best policy to. pursue.
Senator Perkins Of California, although
a republican. announces that he. will op
pose the conside ration Of the treaty at the
present session. He says the, questions in
volved are of too general Importance for
hasty disposal.
The evidence of hostility to immediate
ccI sideration is becoming quite apparent
from several directions.
Representative Hit believes that the
treaty can be approved at this session of
Cor greSS. 't.'- r