Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-08-07
The Venerable Secretary Of State
Again at His Desk.
BUSY TODAY RECEIVING CALLERS
What He Says About Japan and
Hawaii.
THE STATEMENTS DENIED

Secretary Sherm was at his desk in
the State Department today, looking great
ly improved in health. He says that he
expects to remain here until some time in
the fall, when ne may take some part in
the Ohio campaign. He set to work imme
diately upon his arrival here. and was busy
all day, receiving persons calling on busi-
ness and taking up for consideration some
of the pending questions. He reiterates his
denial Of the often revived report that he
intends to resign. He is reluctant to talk
about foreign questions, but indicates that
he has some radical views. which he only
In part discloses. 1t is quite evident that he
is not apprehensive to the outcome of
the Hawaiian and the Cuban questions.
The Flag at Hawaii.
He denies the statement from San Fran
cisco that Minister Sewall had instructions
10 establish a protectorate over Hawaii in
the event the Senate failed to ratify the
annexation treaty. When asked what the
minister's action would be if some overt
act were committed by the Japanese the
Secretary said in that event Minister Sew
all might raise the American flag If he had
special instructions to that effect AS to
whether Mr.. Scwall has such Instructions
Secretary Sherman did not say.
secretary Sherman said tnat the United
States would not guarantee the carrying
Oul INC ltTaES CI uetWteu
waIi and Jaran if the decision of the arbi-
traitors were against the former. That was
matter between the countries in interest
II the treaty of annexation is ratified be-
fore tue arbitration is concluded thea the
arbitration failed. the Secretary explained.
lie left the inference that the matter of
J"pan's claims against Hawaii might then
be special subject of legislation by Con-
gress.
Japan's Attitude Has No Effect.
Secretary Sherman is quoted as saying, in
an interview on the train: while 1 be-
leye that Japan is entirely innocent of any
intention of assuming toward us a bellger-
ent or threatening attitude it may be well
to remark that her attitude, no matter
what it might be. would not affect our po-
sition in the least.
We have always believed that We have
more right to take d hand in the manage
ment of the Hawaiian government and in
tEe government of other lands similarly
situated than any other country. Hawaii
is only about 2,UO miles from our shores.
Whatever course We see fit to pursue to-
ward her will be pursued without regard
to any other nation. We consider that We
have d right to do this and we will insist
upon maintaining our rights at any cost"
The Cuban Question.
He is quoted as saying with relation to
the Cuban question:
Spain will lose Cuba. That seems to
me to he certain. She cannot continue
the struggle. Already the conflict has
cost her more than $20O,VN.00O. Her
money is gone and she can get no more.
She has reached the limit of Ter borrow
ing capacity. She cannot pay back what
she has already borrowed.
The only thing left for her to do is
to TeDudiate her debts. We had to do
that after the revolution. Having repu-
dated them she can begin anew, but she
will have to begin without Cuba.
THAT country IL devastated. The in
sCTgents have been fighting with only the
hCIe of ultimate success as their reward.
The Spanish soldiers have been battling
for pay. This pay will stop and then the
conflict will stop.
Spain is in no condition to wage war
anywhere. The burdens placed upon her
people 10 sustain the struggle for retain
ing Cuba have been very heavy. Stopping
the struggle. withdrawing her troops from
Cuba and repudiating her debts is her only
way TO recover. Sooner or later she must
do this.
SO fa- We have done nothing to arouse
the anger of the Spanish people. We have
gone on. minding our own business, blind
to the distress of Cuba and deaf TO the
plcadings of our own people, who wanted
the government to interfere. Then Spain
shovel inclination to reject our representa-
tive But she thought better of this and
our representative was received"
Secretary Sherman denied today that he
had authorized the statements as to Cuba
He said that he had declined to be inter-
viewed On foreign questions.