Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-12-08
NOT READY TO TAKE 1T UP.
Consideration ofothe Hawaiian Annexation
). Treaty Postponed.
Poll Of TIE senate o. the Question
Work of the Oppose
ton.

senator DavisJ chairman Of the foreign
relations committee, says he Is not yet
ready to proceed with the Hawaiian an
nexation treaty and cannot now fix a time
when 1t will be taken up, although he
thought 1t would be considered before the
holidays.
Advantage Of Delay.
The delay decided on in taking up the
Hawaiian treaty will give more time for
fair consideration Of the matter by seEa-
tors who are in doubt on the question, and
will enable the friends of annexation TO
determine exactly what il the best course
to follow in the matter. It is a question
whether 1t would be best to consider the
treaty In open session, and also as a mat.
ter of policy and economy in time whether
the treaty should be proceeded with or
whether the annexation should be sought
by Joint resolution. These questions have
to be determined by the friends of annexa-
ton.
Another important consideration is that
delay viii give time for full development
of the fact that the sugar trust is the
party most Immediately interested in the
opposition to the treaty, and that its agents
are engaged In an active lobby against the
treaty. This Is. of course, apparent now,
but from present indications it is probable
that the great activity of the agents of the
trust In the matter will become almost
public scandal --'
1t Is quite certain that many who are in
doubt as to what stand they will take with
respect to the treaty, and some who are
row inclined to oppose It, will be disposed
to resent the presence of sugar trust
lobby, and will favor the treaty when they
become satisfied that the arguments fur
nished against it are manufactured by
agents Of the trust. .
The fact that Mr.. German, whose par
tisanship no one questions. is in favor of
the treaty Is a great handicap to those
democrats who are trying to make a party
democrats in opposition to it. Mr.. Cor
man is recognized as the best politician the
democrats have in the Senate, and his po-
sition in favor of the treaty, though he
may not take an active interest in the
natter. Is likely to carry weight with some
OF the democrats who are now in doubt.
The Attitude of the Senate.
The present poll of the Senate on the
question is 81 in favor Of the treaty. 10 op-
posed and IL in doubt. 1t is hoped that by
next week enough recruits can be got to
insure the ratification Of the treaty. If
this hope is disappointed, they will proceed
with the consideration Of the Morgan bill
for annexation. and endeavor to pass it
through both houses of Congress as speed
lily as possible. The opposition is doing all
that Is possible to hack-cap this PROPOSE
tion. and the House is being worked upon
by the sugar. trust earnestly as is the
Senate.
The Speakers. Position.
Much is being made Of the fact that
Speaker Rsed- Is opposed to. annexation,
and this isIused as an argument that notn-
ing can be honeiin the House. The fact is.
however, that Mr.. Reeds opposition is not
apt to be more ferious to the annexation
than that of any other man of prominence,
as 1t will Eertaialy not extend to the use
of his official power to prevent annexation.
1t is with Him simply matter of personal
opinion and wilisnot be enforced as a mat
ter of party policy would be, by the Speak
er's powers
The opp0sitioni IN the House will come
chiefly from democrats and populsts ana
while there is some republican opposition,
jority of the House will vote for an annex
alton bill if it becomes necessary to deal
with the quG stioa IN that way.