The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-13
REPUBLICANS IN CAUCUS.
THREE HOURS DIsCUssIoN OF THE
HAWAII RECIPROCITY TREATY.

Thsn the Whole suhisot was Rererrea 70 the
Finance Ceranittee-The Flsht In Favor OF
AbroGntinE tire Treaty was Made By
Senators Nelson. Perkins,, ana Thurstou.
WARRINGTON, juno 12.-After three and q half
hours caucusing to-day tho Republican SEN
ators finally decided to refer to tho Finance
Committee and the three assistant members"
appointed for service during tho Tariff bill
campaign only all questions relating to the
Hawaiian reciprocity treaty. There were
two sessions Of the caucus, one before tho
Senate met and the other after 1t adjourned.
and they were in largo measure duplicate per-
formancos. Tho two general propositions under
consideration were the abrogation OF the treaty
and it's continuance under present conditions.
The fight in favor OF the abroeation Of the treaty
was made by Mr.. Knute Nelson Of Minnesota
and seconded by Mr.. Perkins Of California and
Mr.. Thurston OF Nebraska. Mr.. Nelson has been
o consistent advocate Of this policy from
the beginning OF tho agitation OF the question
when the bill was under consideration in tho
Committee on Ways and Means. Mr.. Perkins
had been regarded as a friend OF the
treaty and In favor Of It's maintenance
until within tho past few days, while
Mr.. Thurston's position was unknown. His
speech in tho caucus. however, was the prin.
cipal ono on that sido, although Mr.. Nelson made
a speech that was full of personal matters and
showed considerable feeling on his part.
Mr.. Thurston said that whilo he was In favor
Of abrogating the treaty, he would favor an
~noxation of the islands when that question
came before the Senate for action. He said that
the present attitude OF the Republican party
toward the sugar schedule was indefensible, and
that he could not indorse the action Of the SEN
alto yesterday In the adoption of the caucus
schedule on sugar. which was in the nature Of
yotip,r N uratNttv of ava rptlliono NJ dolloro IN
the Trust, especially IL the present arrangement,
by which nine millions of dollars n year were
contributed to tho Hawaiian Sugar Trust, was
continued. He was particularly Interested. too.
in tho development Of tho beet sugar industry,
and commended that the free importation OF
Hawaiian sugars tended to impede the progress
of boot sugar manufacture In the Mississippi
Valley.
Senator Nelson's speech contained a demand
that the Government should deal with the
Hawaiian question upon q purely business
basis. asserting that 1t was ridiculous to con-
tinue the payment OF nine millions a year to tho
Hawaiian sugar producers for which the United
States received no return. Mr.. Nelson 10 under
stood to hold like opinions with those Of Mr..
Thurston upon the subject of annexation.
The PRINCIPAL advocates Of the continuance Of
the present condition Of affairs wero Messrs.
Davis. Chairman Of the Committee on Foreign
Relations. and Frye Of Maine, whose radical po-
sition on things Hawaiian 10 we'll known. They
were assisted by Messrs. Hoar and Chandler
Of New England and some OF tho Western Sen.
ators. who favor both reciprocity and
annexation. Senator Frye's speech is said to
have been marked by all of that gentleman's
fire and directness Of expression In dealing with
public questions, and is said to have aroused no
little enthusiasm among the supporters of tho
treaty.
Various propositions wcro made with q view
OF coming to some conclusion upon the subject,
but 1t was found impossible to reach a vote upon
any of them.
Senator Allison. Chairman of the caucus. sug-
gested, somewhat In line with Senator Frye's
motion. that the matter should be left to tho
President for action. but expressing the opinion
Of Congress that a modification OF the treaty
should be secured.
Senator Perkins had two propositions to mako.
one to reduce the duty on Hawaiian imports by
one quarter. and the other looking to the abro-
cation mot Of the treaty w IN case ,w.I modification mnn,bo t OF It
the enactment OF the law. Senator Nelson
moved that tho treaty be abrogated directly. in
The members Of the caucus. having aNia pobb bound
themselves not to make speeches in tho Senate,
to express their views at length behind Closed
doors. and as a result Of this inability to reach a
to submit ali OF the propositions to the Finance
Committee. leaving them 70 formulate a policy
q 1ha. will will. be p]s ssss9ISh sst 70 ths Eep 10 tSs ,E psFs{;
committee Messrs. Platt of Connecti-
cut and Burrows OF Michigan had ex-
pressed themselves in favor Of Senator
frye's proposition. Another caucus will DO
held after tho adjournment of the Senate on
Monday evening, at which time II Is hoped that
the committee will have a proposition to submit.
1t is the belief that their recommendation will
be adopted by the caucus and be incorporated
into the bill.
Mr.. Hatch. tho Hawaiian Minister, called at
the State Department this evening in company
with Lorin NJ. Thurston, formerly Minister OF
Hawaii here, and Joseph p. Smith. Attorney.
General of the republic, who were sent to
Washington to work for annexation. Their
visit, 1t was presumed. was in connec.
ton with the reported new treaty. Judge
Day. the Acting Secretary of State, with whom
visit further than TO say that IL had nothing To
do with the threatened trouble between Hawnii
and Japan. One of the three callers said the
visit was Of a friendly character.
PERIL IN THE COMMUNION CUP.