The sun., 1897-06-18
SHERMAN AGAINST HAWAII
THE SECRETARY AT rARIANCE WITH
THE IDMINISTRd

says He Hopes the senate VIII Not Ratiry
N-Is This Preliminary TO His RetIrementS
WASHINGTON June 1.-THE Senate to-day ro-
moved tho injunction OF secrecy from the HA-
waiian Annexation treaty and tho accompany.
ing message OF President Mckinley and report
OF Secretary sherman, but tho information con-
tainod In these communications had been an
ticipated so accurately that its formal publicae
tion created no especial interest. Public men
viewed with much greater interest n sensational
occurrence earlier In tho day. which Is believed
by many Of them TO bo preliminary to the re-
tirement Of Secretary Sherman from the Cabinet
Mr.. Sherman's opposition to Hawaiian annexa-
tion has been an open secret for some time. His
uttcranccs In tho Senate and the plain state
ments in his published memoirs Indicated his
| views on the subject and gave hope 10 the oppo-
ncnts Of tho annexation idea. including the do
posed Queen Liliuoknlani, tha, no treaty pro
| riding for the aInagamation of Hawaii with tho
| United States would be negotiated while he re-
| maned as Secretary Of State.
| The action OF Mr.. Sherman In signing tho
| treaty when he could have preserved n con-
sistcnt attitude by delcRatinR that authority to
| Assistant Secretary Day, the active head of the
state Department caused some astonishment
| among those who believed they had accurate
| information that Mr.. Sherman would oppose
| annexation to the last. To-day. however, tho
venerable Secretary OF State unbosomed him
| self to several members OF the Diplomatic
Corps. and showed very plainly in his remarks
that he was totally at variance with the views
OF President Mckinley about taking Hawaii
| under the protection OF the United States
Thursday is the regular day for the reception
| of foreign Ambassadors and Ministers by tho
| Secretary Of State, and among those who called
| this morning the viscount Dc Santo Thyrso,
the Minister Of Portugal. His business with the
l Gn,r tAl H. H.
treaty might have on the rights of the largo
number OF Portuguese residing in Hawaii. The
| Minister'S inquiries were not in the nature Of
protest, but were OF a courteous character. in
| tended to obtain from Mr.. Sherman an explana-
| ton OF what the Portuguese in the islands
might expect II the treaty became effective.
| Mr.. Sherman did not mincc words in explain
ing to the Viscount his opinion Of annexation.
and astonished his diplomatic visitor by the
| frankness with which he expressed his opposi-
| tion to the treaty now before the Senate. He
| was opposed to making Hawaii part of this
country. he said, not only on the grounds that IL
| was not q good thing to do, but because other
questions affecting our foreign relations were OF
| greater moment, and should not be interfered
| with by bringing to the front matter that did
not call for immediate action. Furthermore,
F.. Mr.. Sherman said he hoped the treaty would not
, be ratified by the Senate.
| Mr.. Sherman spoke in the same vein to other
members OF the Diplomatic Corps who saw him
to-day. The news spread quickly among tho
diplomats, and they apparently unanimously
| of tho opinion that Mr.. Sherman cannot remain
| in the Cabinet unless he changes his viewu.
Several Of them discussed the Secretary's rev.
elations.s sSan animated why before they left the
| State Department
| The officials of the Government are almost
| without exception In hearty sympathy with the
policy Of President Mckinley concerning Hawaii.
Theodore Roosevelt. the Assistant Secretary Of
the Navy, expressed the sentiments OF his ON
cial colleagues to a Sun reporter to-day:
IL cannot too heartily commend President
Mckinleys action" SAID Mr.. Roosevelt The
protest of the Japanese is sufficient to show how
urgent was the need that it should be taken just
at this time. Delay might have meant very So
reus trouble, not only to Hawaii, but for the
United States. From every aspect annexation
is most satisfactory. and cannot but think that
oil good citizens. irrespective OF party, who
have the welfare OF America close at heart and
who can look into tho future. will feel keen
gratitude to the President for what he has
done"
Rumors have been current in Washington for
some time that Secretary Sherman did not in
tend to retain his portfolio. and the sentiments
he expressed to-day have given Endorsement to
the reports. Judge William II. Day OF Canton,
o. the present Assistant Secretary OF state.
was mentioned frequently in the interim be-
tween Mr.. Mckinleys election and his assump-
tion OF the Presidential Office as likely to
be called to Cabinet place lle was &C.
lectcd however, to go to Cuba as the Presi-
dent 3 Commissioner. hut later on Mr.. Mckinley
made him Assistant Secretary and sent Mr.. Cal
houn to Cuba instead. The appointment OF
Judge Day TO the Assistant Sccrctaryship was
considered strange, because Of the Presidents
known desire to give him place OF greater
prominence but 1t soon appeared that he was
the real hcad Of the State Department and
had charge OF the mos, important matters To
him the President intrusted the entire conduct OF
| the Cuban question. and Judge Day WAS the prin-
cipal representative of the United states in tho
annexation treaty negotiations. after Gen. John
W. Foster went abroad special Ambas-
sador to arrange an agreement with Great
Britain. Russia, and Japan for the better pro-
lection OF the seal herds in Brhring Sea. This
all done, IL is said. with the full understand
ing OF Secretary sherman. Diplomats and others
who had matters of Importance under the State
Department to attend 10 were frequently re-
ferred to Judge Day, and hr transacted most OF
their business with him. lie has tho confidence
OF the President, who considers him man or
great ability and Judgment, and the gossip Of
official Washington has been that he was hold
ing the Assistant ScCretaryship as a preliminary
to succeeding Mr.. sherman rs Secretary Of
State.
, Just how the attitude OF Mr.. Sherman will
, affect his relations with the Administration
cannot be predicted, but officials Of the Govern
r mcnt, Senators, and members OF the Diplomatic
! Corps. think that the venerable statesman has
already determined to leave the Cabinet.
1t is probable that the treaty will not bo acted
upon by the Senate this session. IT may be con-
sidered by the Foreign Relations Committee.
E but its opponents can easily prevent action
| Xphi Ia ha Ia IA nd IA nj
. that measure Is finally dsposcd of adjournment
Q will take place. There is undoubtedly more
i. than twohirds OF tho Senate In favor OF ratihca
!. tion. and prompt and favorable action will bs
r taken at tho meeting OF tho regular ses.
: sion in December. The friends OF tbs
treaty not disposed to urge III
consideration at this time, as they are