The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-10-13
PREMIER SAGASTA OF SPAIN.

it's what one has to ex pect when one gets
mixed up in politics"
Judge Mcguire speaks as one would ex-
pect man of his reputation to speak. HIS
voice is decided. determ ined. He talks un-
hesitatingly, finishing his sentences care
fully, as if he knew how they were going to
look next day n the paper, Hssits erect as
lie speaks. gestures little, and looks his in
| terlocutor squarely in thu eye while he
gives expression to his opinions.
81 have always been opposed to the
project of annexation" he said, 'for / be-
lieve that its disadvantages far outweigh
the good we might get out of it. The
only benefit to the United States is a COM
mercial one, and that we have now, and
most probably shall continue to have. AS
TO the military side of the argument, l
consider it absurd to fortify an island
away out in the Pacific which could be
taken by the enemy before we could know
that it was mena aced. Even if there were
a cable we couldn't send relief to Hawaii
in less than six days, and by that time it
would be useless.
II do believe, though, that the United
States should resist any other country s
X
"What country is iikely to?''
Japan. 1t was stated that 1000 soldiers
had been landed there, you know, in the
guise of iaborers, and that there would be
an uprising of the Japanese OH the arrlv al
OF Japanese warshlps."
"And do you believe that2" l asked
Moo" The Judge smiled. But if
Japan should attempt to seize the islands,
the United States should interfere. There
is one thing tnat would change my mind
on this matt r. The administration may
have some knowledge of Japan's Inten-
tions or plans, which would make annexa-
ton OF the islands the only means of our
retaining our influence over them, but as
feel now, | am opposed to taxing them
in.
'Ope thing that influences me largely is
the number of Chinese now in Hawaii
one-fourth as many as there are in the
United States. They could not be kept
out of the United States any more than
they can be kept from travelling from one
State or Territory to another. They will
come here for the simple reason that they
can get better wages here and new impor-
tationo of contract labor in Hawaii will take
their places. These in turn will follow
their predecessors to our shores. and our
iaboring men will have the old problem
of cody labor to contend with"
''Do you think that the Senate will an
mex the islands?"
.I don't think the Senate has the power
without the House 10 make treaties with
an independent state. That question was
brought up when Texas was admitted,
you remem beT.''
1 didn't clearly remember the ad mis-
sion of Texas, but l didn't tell Judge
Maguire so.
mo; the House will have something to
say about this matter" he went on
For this reason 1 think you'll find Con-
gressmen more careful in giving express
sion to their opinion. One talks very dif-
ferently when he thinks he is merely
giving an off-hand opinion of a matter
about which ne is 10 have no RESPONSE
biIity."
1t was with the memory of Judge Ma
guire's positive voice ringing in my ear
that l began my interview with Congress
man Loud. And Mr.. Loud, who's as reti-
cent as Ju ige Mcguire is outspoken, very
kindly and promptly gave me lesson in
interviewin
"Never ask direct question:" ne said,
crossing his legs and closing his smiling
eyes
So began over again.
"Tell me what, in your opinion, the
United States will gain by annexing the
Hawaiian Islands,
"The gain will be only a commercial one.
l discard without discussing it the ques-
tion of uniting N f0rfificstious 0iOO NIL &c
Away. 1t We are going to iortiiy our
country The coasts of the Atlantic and the
| Pacific are the proper points 10 be cared
| for. But the important question, to nv
! mind, is the form OF government we could