Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-05-12
HOUSE VOTES DOWN AN ITEM THAT
WOULD STRENGTHEN IT.
DIVISION WAS ON PARTY LINES.
DEMOCRATS OPPOSE THE IMPROVE
MENT OF PEARL HARBOR.
MIR. HIT Makes n Strong Plea to the
House to ForestaII Possible Ac-
tion by England or Japan
Cuban Debate in the
Senate. -.

OF the senate amendment to the sundry
civil appropriation bill was finished by
the house to-day and the bill sent 10 a
conference. President Clevelands torest
reservation order was the subject of much
debate and the house voted not to concur
in the senate amendment to annul the
order, with the understanding that the
conferees should arrange an amendment
which would have the same effect.
Mr.. Lacey, in debating the amendment,
remarked that Mr.. Hartman assumed that
President Mckinley would repeat the mis-
takes of President Cleveland.
II don't think there is any man on the
face of the earth such a blunderhead that
he could make one-thousandth part of the
mistakes made by President Cleveland"
retorted Mr.. Hartman. Il did not support
President Mckinley. but, thank God, he is
an American president and the first one
we have had in four years"
The house voted not to concur in the
amendment appropriating 5000 for the
continuation by the secretary of agriculture
of an investigation OF the beet sugar in
dustry.
The most interesting debate was on the
appropriation of $4,000 10 Improve Pearl
barbor in the Hawaiian islands, which was
rejected by a vote of s. to 50. Mr.. Hit, of
Illinois. past and prospective chairman of
the committee on foreign affairs, earnestly
urged the importance of taking steps to
confirm the title of this government TO the
harbcr. in view of the senate proposal to
aorogate the Hawaiian treaty. Mr.. Hit
said. in part:
THE senate has now before it a bill
which will abrogate the reciprocity treaty.
There Is contention on the part of the
would be supported with the utmost sup
port that could be given by the govern
ments OF Great Britain and Japan-that the
grant in the supplemental convention would
fall with the original treaty, and thus We
would lose Pearl harbor.
Il do not wish TO discuss the question of
annexation, for i think il has nothing
whatever to do with this question. If the
the necessity for the adoption of this
amendment would remain as urgent as
ever. We have tried for thirty years to Sc
world. and not one have We to-day. The
navy of Great Britain, which is so power
ful: can be placed in any part of the globe
and be within reach of supplies, as well
as facilities for repair. Our nation in case
of war would be helpless as soon as its
coal ran out. In the Pacific. ocean, the
France, Germany, Spain-all possess one,
TWO, ten, twenty spots from which to fit
How important does England deem this ad-
vantage when she has poured out such
millions upon thelittle reefs and peaks and
hills of the Burmudas? For what has all
that been expended? Not to fight with
France-not upon the possibility of strug-
gle with Russia, her great rival. 1t is be-
cause those ships carry guns that may
come into our ports; II is because they will
be the most terrible weapon against US in
Now, II that treaty fails-if it is alb
rogated-Great Britain will instantly press
Japan will be pressing, and fiercey press
ing. In the kilograms of this morning I
lead that the cruiser Ninevah has already
claims upon that feeble government We
will only hold It with pur guns in position,
and this very treaty. in Diplomatic discus
ity TO erect fortifications there
Mr.. McMillan-'Thep the gentleman's
PURPOSE d sc IS foTS nTss 10 ~ the harbor and
Mr.. Hitt-."All thai, belongs TO the gen.
tlemen who will follow us on this. floor.
government like ours. OF great republic
of a great nation. looking to the fact that
the sea power is the test of rank and sue
cess of the nations In the future We have
here moment in which, by this small
expenditure. We, can put our foot down
right. to have something more than a
contention in diplomatic discussion. to
and it will not come down in a thousand
years. loud applause)
Mr. Cannon replied to Mr.. Hit, saying
that this government was In no great
danger IL congress did not make the ap-
prcTriation at this session. The harbor
had been granted to the United States.
absolutely, for all time. he said, and was
as much our property as any harbo- on
the Pacific coast. He believed the govern
ment should improve Pearl harbor as II
would any other harbor ii owned when II
needed Improvement. 1t was within five
miles of Honolulu harbor, where the yes-
sells of the United States had always been
able 10 coal and always would be while
they had the money to pay for the coal.
Mr.. Cannon did not believe in magnifying
the Importance of these international ma
tiers and becoming frightened at this or
that nation.
The item was opposed by Mr.. Savers
because. he said, as soon as Pearl harbor
had been improved the government would
be called on to eXpend several millions to
fcrtify it: Instead of looking abroad for
objects OF legislation. congress should look
10 the relief of its own people.
Mr.. Cummings. Democrat, of New York
spoke earnestly in favor of the appropria.
Iion.
Il have faith in the patriotism of Presi
dert Mckinley" he said. ITO believe that
before he leaves the White House the
of this republic" Republican applausel
Mr.. Simpson. Populist, of Kansas. advo
Gated the project This harbor. he said. wa.
United States had adopted the policy O
maintaining a great navy.
Mr.. Sayrcs warned congress that the mex
step in line with the proposed policy woult
be annexation. He warned them not to b
frightened by the report that England
would take possession of the islands.
Next 10 conflict with my own breth
rem" he said. Il would deplore a war witt
England. / don't believe England wants /:
war with us any more than we want a wa
The vote was taken on, Mr. Hits motion
to concur in the senate amendment whicl
bN Il NOsc VI .NS " Co.
Comparatively few Republicans wer
present and the vote was nearly a part,
ore. Hall dozen Democrats and Popu
lists. including Messrs. Cummings. of Ney
York: Tate of Georgia: King. of Utah
and Populists Simpson and Ridgely. q
Kansas. voted TO concur. and about a doze
Republicans. among them Messrs. Cannon
Hilborn. Parker. Moody. of Massachusetts
Brodertck, of Kansas: Bromwell, of Ohio
and Linney. of North Carolina voted NOT I
concur. The Pearl harbor amendment wa
sent 10 conference,