New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-17
PRICE THREE CENTS.
HAWAIIAN TREATY SIGNED
THE ANNEXATION CONVENTION SENT TO
THE SENATE.
NO ACTION EXPECTED UNTIL THE TARIFF BIZ
is PAssED-AN URGENT POLITICAL NEcEs-
sITY FOR THE STEP AT THIS TIME
FOUND IN THE PERII.s WHICH
BEsET THE RECIPRoc-
ITY TREATY

Washington, June 16-After many hesitatione
and with some reluctance the President and his
advisers decided this morning to send to the
Senate at once the new treaty Of annexation
with Hawaii, which was accordingly signed AZ
the State Department to-day. Had the Presi"
dent been left to follow his personal inclinations.
the signing and transmittal Of the convention
would have been delayed until the end OF the
present extraordinary session OF Congress. or
perhaps until the reconvening Of both branches
next December. 1t has been the Presidents
purpose. announced at the beginning OF his Ad-
ministration and repeatedly reafirmed on fitting
occasions since to ask nothing Of Congress
which might in any way interfere with or retard
the accomplishment OF the main task set for
the legislative branch OF the Government by the
message which called 1t together in extraordinary
session on March 15-that Of relieving the dis
tresses Of the Treasury and thereby restoring
public confidence and general prosperity
Only an urgent political necessity could there
fore induce the Administration to lay before the
Senate-immersed 1t is to-day in the difficult
ties and embarrassments Of tariff legislation
a diplomatic project OF the first importance,
which could scarcely fail to exercise distract
ing influence the present legislative pro-
gramme Of the Republican leaders in Congress.
believe they have found In the perils which
menace the existing reciprocity treaty with Ha-
wall, threatened as it is with virtual abrogation
through the refusal of the Senate TO exempt
Hawaiian sugars from the operation Of the duties
imposed by the schedule recently adopted by the
Republican Senatorial caucus
In the view of the Administration a public
notice TO Congress and the country that treaty
Of annexation has been concluded will put an
end at once to all differences in the Senate over
the expediency Of continuing or denouncing the
present Hawaiian reciprocity convention. BY
this means a source Of irritation In Republican
councils in the Senate Will be summarily re-
moved and the success OF the caucus sugar
schedule guaranteed beyond question AT the
same time the natural alarm OF the Hawaiian
Government over the proposed annulment OF all
the advantages Of the reciprocity agreement
will be quieted by formal and binding assur-
ance that. so far as the Administration Is con-
cerned. a continuance Of the present trade re-
lations between this country and Hawaii viii be
assured perpetually by the absorption OF Hawah
into the territory Of the United States.
The desire OF the President 10 relieve the ten
sion both In Congress and in the islands them
selves over the prospect OF an exclusion or Ha.
waan products from the American market. ana
that alone. was, in brief the controlling factor
in to-day's sudden decision TO forward to the
Senate the convention which, IL accepted, VIII
inclusion Of Hawaiian products In the list or
imports dutiable at the custom houses OF the
United States.
Immediate action in the Senate on the an
nexation treaty is not expected. nor Is II greatly
desired by the Republican leaders in the de-
Lucrative branch. The Tariff bill will continue
to absorb the legislative energies OF the Senate
for two or three weeks 10 come. In the mean
time however, the Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions will doubtless report resolution or ratin-
cation. and there is some chance that a vote on
this resolution may be secured before the present
session ends.
Whether attempt to force a vote will be
made or not will depend entirely on the degree
OF opposition which may develop TO the general
policy Of annexation. At present II is doubtful
whether the opponents OF the treaty could mus
ter the third vote necessary to bring about
its rejection. There is an element In the Senate
which, while not hostile to ratification. Is still
averse to considering the treaty AT this session.
Its outspoken enemies are however. few IN
number and without especial influence
The new treaty was received by the Senate
few minutes before adjournment this afternoon
and was referred at once to the Committee on
Foreign Relations. Its exact text will probably
be withheld for a day or two