The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1897-07-20
THE HAWAIIAN QUEEN.

Hawaiian Affairs at This Session
-OistIp guished Visitors Call On
tho Queen.
The U. S. Senate has agreed to
come to vote on the tariff bill to-
day; If passed, and doubtless it will
he, il then goes to the House, which
will act upon it promptly, and thus
finish the duty OF the special ses-
sion, for in nothing has Congress
shown more frmness than in the de-
termination that no business shall
be done, excepting the amendment
to the customs laws, until the regu-
lar session in December.
This is a most important point,
aud should be kept before the peo-
pie of Hawaii, for those who have
been plotting for years to destroy
the independence Of that nation
have undoubtedly made tbe most OF
the proposed annexation treaty, to
convince the native people that
their cause is forever lost That is
a falsshood, at least for the present.
All parties are agreed to the truth
OF that which has been already writ
ten to you. First, that there was no
! intention whatever to introduce an
nexation at all; second, that it was
done by the executive merely to
pacify contendiug elements in the
Republican party, which had quar-
relied hopelessly over the sugar
schedule and he reciprocity treaty;
third, that the administration is
quite indifferent, il not absolutely
opposed TO its ratification. When
to these complications you add in
teruational questions, such as the
emphatic protest OF Japan, the
doubt as to the attitude OF Great
Britain, the Queens protest, and the
question Of the title to the crown
lands, it will be readily seen that
there are many obstacles in the way
of settlement.
But, entirely Independent OF the
above, what is the parliamentary
course Of any treaty? First, it il re-
ferred to the Committee on Foreign
Relations, Of this Senators Gray,
Turpie, Daniels and Mills are stauch
fgieads 20 the Hawaiian people and
their Queen, by them to sub-com-
mittee OF three, this latter, after a
careful examination, report to their
associates; these, whenever they
agree, report to the Senate; this
body will then debate and finally
vote. By the most careful estimate
of its friends, counting every man
who can possibly favor it, the num-
Der required to confirm falls short
three votes of the requisite two.
thirds, and since the estimate was
made, two, perhaps three, senators
nave Opouly COiiSSbou pno oslilhalS,
and now declare themselves against
it. Even Senator Hawley, who has
been supposed to be in its favor,
took occasion the other day to state
that he should wish to examine all
the papers carefully before settling
the question in his own mind.
Senator Morgan, who may be call
ed an extreme advocate OF territorial
extension, so fully comedies the
probable failure of the treaty that
he has already introduced a joint
J resolution to press it in this manner
when it is lost in the Senate. But,
here interposes another difficulty;
this may be passed by a majority in
distinction from two-thirds vote,
but such must pass both Houses,
aud it will be as difficult matter
to get majority in the House as to
get two-thirds of the Senate.
The latest claim made by the au'
} nexation newspapers is that by ten
months from this time, say by the
, month of May, 1898, the question
will be settled in their favor. 1t
will be long and bitter debate
before any ballot can he taken. II
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