The San Francisco call., 1897-12-08
THE LOSING
FIGHT Upon
ANNEXATION
Every Hour of Delay
Hurts the Hawaiian
Scheme.
COMES UP TO-DAY IN
THE SENATE.
Many Joining the Ranks Of
Those Working Against
Ratification.
DANIEL OF VIRGINIA Is
CONVERTED.
Regards the Matter as a Scheme to
Benefit Few People at Uncle
Sans Expense.
Special Dispatch to THE CALI.
CALL OFFICE. RIGGS HOUSE, !
WASHINCTnN nan z

CALL OFFICE. RIGGS HOUSE.
WASHINGTON Dec. z.
Senator Davis (R.) of Minnesota, chair
man of the Committee on Foreign Rel g.
tions, announced to-day th at tomorrow
he would ask the Senate to take up the Ha-
wsiian annexation treaty, and his commit
tee will hold a meeting tomorrow morn
ing before the Senate session opens. He is
wise in pushing the treaty to immediate
consideration If he really desires its ratif-
cation. Annexation is clearly losing
ground, and the longer the vote is delayed
the poorer are the chances of success.
Senator Daniel CD of Virginia, who W as
uon-committal during the spring session,
is now squarely against annexation. II
regard the whole matter" he said to-day,
"as a scheme for the benefit OF a few peo.
pie at the expense of the Government.
Where we should get one dollar out oil
the Hawaiian Islands we should have to
spend ten"
Senator Hoar (R.) of Massa chusetts
makes it a rule not 10 discuss for publica-
tion questions pertaining to forei sn rela-
tions which are awaiting the Senate's
action, but from private sources it is
learned that he is, at least. very lukewarm
toward the project and will probably vote
against il when the time comes.
Senator Wellington (R.) of Maryland
declares that he has not made up his
mind and is still OPEN to convection. But
it is believed that he, too, will Oppose tn
treaty.
Senator Faulkner CD OF Virginia be-
lieves that, with the exception of Senator
Morgan CD of Alabama and, perhaps,
three or four others, the entire Demo-
cratic vote will be against annexation.
About the only convert to annexation
thus far recorded is Senator Perkins (R. J
of California. He was regarded as rather
lukewarm or opposed to the plan at the
spring session. He now declares that he
will vote for the treaty, but he adds that
he doubts if the two-thirds majority for
its ratification can be secured.
The prevailing opinion in Washington
now is that annexation will surely come
by joint resolution, if not by treaty. But
that depends. The opponents of annexa-
ton say: "One thing at time" If thirty
or more Senators can now be mustered
against the scheme, it Is not out of the
range of possibilities that the ma jority OF
the House might be found on the same
side, 1t is favorite remark of Eastern
Republicans that they are glad annexa-
tion is a Senate question now, and they
hope they will not have to vote upon it,
indicating the hesitancy they would feel
in supporting the project, and, on the
other hand, their disinciuation to antag-
onize the administration.
Ii the Democrats In the House should
take the same view of the question as
their kindred in the Senate, an nnexation
would have a very close shave. There
might be twenty-eight more Republicans
against annexation than Democrats in
favor of it. That would be a question,
although 1t is now generally taken for
granted here that there is a majority
in both houses for annexation should the
treaty fail of ratification OF the necessary
two-thirds vote.