The Hawaiian gazette., 1897-07-06
WERE MANY DIVERSE OPINIONS
Senate Could Not Agree
on Hawaiian Policy.
Annexation Treaty Would Focus
Action - Executive Pre-
viously Friendly,

WASHINGTON, June 19. - The
treaty OF annexation between the Re-
public Of Hawaii, and the United
States was signed at $50 a. m, June
l6, in the State Department, by John
Sherman on the part of the United
States. and F. NJ. Hatch, L. A. Thurs
ton and ". A Kinney, on behalf of the
Republic Of Hawaii.
The negotiation and signing of the
treaty was the result of the change of
mind by the administration, due to the
attitude Of many Republican Senators
regarding the reciprocity treaty. 1t
was well understood that the admins
Jration would not present any treaty
Of annexation until the tariff bill was
completed.
As I have previously informed you,
the action of the Senate committee on
Finance, in striking out the clause in
the House bill, protecting reciprocity,
was not for the purpose of killing the
treaty, but to place the matter before
the Senate in such a manner, that the
subject could be debated and clause
be inserted modifying the benefits to
be inserted modifying the benefits to be
derived by Hawaii from the present
treaty. and of preventing Hawaii from
getting the advantage of the increased
rate Of duties in the pending bill. 1t
was the opinion Of some members of
the Finance committee that in this
way only, could the question of bene-
fits be open for discussion.
Ii was apparent, from the moment
the subject came up for discussion,
that the national and logical way of
disposing of the matter was TO settle
at once the question of annexation.
II this took place, no clause protect
ing the treaty was needed. But the
administration had decided not to
bring any new matter before Congress
until the tariff bill was passed, or out
OF the way
When the sugar schedule was reach
ed. and the Republican leaders held a
caucus over IT, much difference of
opinion was developed as to the best
way Of disposing of the Hawaiian mat
ter Some desired a provision Teduc-
ing the advantages to Hawaii. Others
wished a notice of abrogation to be in
serted. Others wished that the Presi-
dent be instructed to negotiate new
treaty. and if it was not done, then
the reciprocity treaty should termin-
ate. In several coucuses, these differ.
ences Of opinion greatly developed
At the same time these seemed to be
a strong desire TO proceed with an,
nexatiOn in due cause of time.
In this condition of things, the Ex-
ecutive can take no leading part. But
by the negotiation of an annexation
treaty it could make a positive move
and as an administration movement
call all of the Republicans to its sup
port, and if an annexation treaty wa'
ratified the Hawaiian claim would bt
eliminated from the tariff bill.
The annexation treaty was at once
negotiated, and the papers were pre-
pared to be submitted to the Presi
dent on his return from his Southern
trip. On his return. on the 18TH, ht
considered the subject, approved Of
the treaty, and it was signed on the
morning of the 10th.
II the move towards immediate an
nexarion should result fayorably, thu
enemies of reciprocity and annexation
may consider themselves humble bu
effective workers in securing that re
suit BY creating or fomenting differ
ences of opinions among Senators
need Of action by the United State
they have forced tht Administrator
10 act at once.
The japanese trouble in Hawaii ha
the attention of the Administration
and it has emphasized the need activ
policy. by the United States.
At the same time the Administration
has no jingo policy. 1t knows bette
than the average politician that tn
conservative element in this countr.
wishes no foreign complications. Th
war spirit does not help trade. 1t keep
men away frim ventures and new ar
rangements. If it were generally be
lieved that Japan and Hawaii hal
serious dlnerences, II might lntuenc
the judgment of conservative Senators
who believe that we have enough trou
BILE on hand. This can be clearly see,
in the Cuban affair While Congress
seems TO be very belligerent, and ha
much reason to feel so, and it is rest
less because of the Spanish crueltie:
it does not intend to disturb Amerca
finances A war with Spain would in
volve the issue of many millions G
bonds, and the question would be q
once raised. how shall they be paid, i
gold or silver?
II is said that several of the Demo
cratic silver men are desposed to vot
for annexation, in order TO show thei
contempt for Mr.. Cleveland. 1t is
method of kicking" the man who ha