Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-05-12

Pearl Harbor and the Hawaiian
Treaty Under Discussion.
Washington, May 1.-THE considera-
ton of the Senate amendments to the
sundry civil appropriation bill was fin
ished by the House to-day and the bill
sent to a conference. President Cleve-
lands forest 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 conference
should arrange an amendment which
would have the same effect.
The debate on this subject followed
closely the lines Of that of yesterday.
1t was participated in almost exclusive
ly by Western members, who pointed
out the injury to present settlers that
would result if President Cleveland's
order should become operative. Sew
eral amendments were offered but with
drawn.
Short speeches criticizing President
Clevelands order were made by Messrs.
Underwood, Dem., Alabama, Ellis.
(Rep., Oregon), Knowles, pop, South
Dakota), Lacey, (Rep., Iowa., Brucker,
Dem., Michigan), Devries, (Dem., Cal
ifornia), Bailey, (Dem., Texas, and Mr..
Hartman, (Rep., Montana). Mr.. Lacey
remarked that Mr. Hartman assumed
that President Mckinley would repeat
the mistakes of President Cleveland.
Il don't think there is any man on
the face Of the earth such blunder-
head that he could make one thous-
andth 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"
Mr.. Lacey withdrew the amendment
proposed by him yesterday, other pend
ing amendments were withdrawn and
the House voted 100 to 80 to non-con-
cur in the Senate amendment with the
understanding that instructions be
made to the conferees later.
The most interesting debate was on
the appropriation of $4,000 to improve
Pearl harbor in the Hawaiian islands,
which was rejected by a vote OF 50 to
SO. Mr.. Hit, of Illinois, past and pros
pective chairman of che committee on
foreign affairs, earnestly urged the i'm
portance of taking steps to aonfirm the
title of this government to the harbor
in view of the Senate proposal to abro-
gate the Hawaiian treaty.
Mr.. Hit said the Senate has now be-
fore it a bill which will abrogate the
reciprocity treaty. There is conten-
ton on the part of the Hawaii govern
ment-and that contention would be
supported with the utmost support that
could be given by the governments OF
Great Britain and Japan-that the
grant in the supplemental convention
would fall with the origina treaty and
thus we would lose Pearl harbor
The treaty in which is pressed the
consideration granted to the United
States for the favor Of reciprocity says
expressly that it shall continue while
that treaty is in force. That consider
alton was the absolute exclusion OF all
other governments in the world from
anv right to lease or hold any part OF
the territory of the Hawaiian Islands.
do not wish to discuss the question
Of annexation, for think 1t has moth
ing whatever to do with this question.
We have tried for thirty years to Sc
cure naval stations in many parts or
the world, and not one have we To-Day.
The navy of Great Britain, when Is SO
powerful. can be placed in any part OK
the globe and be within reach OF sup
niles as well as facilities for repair. Our
nation in case of war would be helpless
as soon as its coal ran out. In the Pa
cifc ocean the great powers OF the
world-England France, Germany
Spain-all possess one, two, ten, twenty
spots from which to fit out ships that
would devastate our coast.
Now. if that treaty fails-if r. is aDro-
gated-Great Britain Will instantly
nress for new relations with HaWall.
instantly Japan will be pressing, ana
fiercely pressing In the kilograms OF
this morning | read that the cruiser
Ninevah has already arrived at HAWAII
IN press threatening claims upon tnat
feeble government. We have here
moment in which by this small expen-
diture we can put our foot down ana
do more than have hypothetical right,
m have something more than a con-
tention in a diplomatic discussion, 10
plant our flag at the entrance OF thaI
river. and it will not come down IN
thousand years. cloud applause).
Mr.. Cannon replied to Mr.. Hit, say
ing that this government was in no DAN
ger if Congress did not make the ap-
nronriation at this session. The harbor
had been granted to the United states,
absolutely for all time, he SAID, ana
was as much our property as any harDor
on the Pacific coast. The approprla-
tion was not sufficient to buy foot OF
land or begin a naval station. Mr.. can
non did not believe in magnifying the
Importance of these international mat
ters and becoming frightened at this or
that nation.
Mr.. Cummings. Oem., n ", spoke
earnestly in favor of the appropriation.
81 have faith enough in the patriotism
of President Mckinley" he said. TO
believe that before he leaves the White
House the Hawaiian islands VIII be an
integral part of this republic" (Repub-
lican applause). ,,,.,-
The vote was then taken on Mr.. Hits
morton 10 concur in the Senate amend
mont which failed by vote Of % TO 80.
The Pearl harbor amendment was
sent to conference.
The House ratified the action OF the
of the whole on the various
amendments except that for continuing
the investigation Of the seal hsheries,
on which the House. at the suggestion
of Mr.. Savers, reversed the action ana
o,,oontod tho amendment. Messrs. Can