Morris tribune. [volume] (Morris, Minn.) 1880-2000, 1897-08-18
CAPITAL ITEMS

HaWan IS aLtractlng the eSpeclal az
tention of the state department, and
Secretary Sherman has returned to
his desk, after two weeks vacation,
to take hand in the game of diplo-
macy being played, the prize being
the control of the Hawaiian Islands.
The secretary does not anticipate
any important developments in pend
ing diplomatic questions while the
president is away on his vacation.
He denied the recent statements from
San Francisco that Minister Sewall
had instructions to establish a pro-
tectorate over Hawaii in the event the
senate failed to ratify the annexation
treaty. When asked what the minis
ter's action would be if some overt act
were committed by the Japanese, the
secretary said, in that event, Minister
Sewall might raise the American
flag if he had special instructions to
that effect. AS to whether Mr.. Sew
all has such instructions, Secretary
Sherman did not say.
Japan agreed to settle her differ
ences with Hawaii by arbitration if
this country would guarantee the
terms of the award if the decision
were against the islands. Secretary
Sherman says that this country would
not take such a position. He says
that is matter between the two
countries interested. If the treaty of
annexation presented to the senate
during the special session, is ratified
before the arbitration is concluded,
then the arbitration would fail, the
secretary explained. He left the in
ference that the matter of Japan's
claims against Hawaii might then be
a special subject of legislation by
congress.
Senator Morgan of Alabama is go
ing to Hawaii in September. He will
make thorough study, and the in
formation he acquires will be used
to further the proposition of annexa-
ton when the treaty comes up in the
senate next session. He is the best
informed man as to Hawaii in the
senate, and his trip will add to his
information. He said that there was
no doubt that the annexation treaty
would be acted on favorably by the
senate next session.
"There is," he said. "no organized
opposition and no opportunity to
form such an opposition. There is no
ground upon which it could be'built."
Speaking of the Cuban situation,
the senator said he believed that a
crisis was close at hand, and he
though it not improbable that Spain
would provoke war with the United !
States in order to avoid the humilia-
ton having to surrender the islands
to the rebels
Morgan was asked if he saw any
indication of purpose on the part
of the administration to take vigor-
Gus action as to Cuba. He replied
that he had no means of knowing
what the administration would do
more than any other citizen had, but
he regarded President Mckinley as
a courageous, firm and patriotic man,
who would do the proper thing when
the time come to act. "When Presi-
dent Mckinley almost without con-
sultation and of his own motion, ne
gotiated the Hawaiian annexation
treaty, he placed it out of the right of
anyone to accuse him of being timid
and hesitating. That was a much
more courageous act than to recog-
nize the belligerency of Cuba, and he
handled it with wisdom and courage"
From a democratic senator this is
no mean praise. In fact the presi
dent has made many friends on the
democratic side of congress and the
hearty good will expressed by demo
cratic senators and representatives
toward the president is remarked, and
Is an indication of friendly relations
between the executive and congress.
1t has been learned at the state de-
partment. that one of the important
considerations in postponing action
BY the senate on the annexation treaty
was an appreciation of the fact that
before this final action was taken it
was wise, in order to guarantee peace,
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