The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-22
Little Attention Paid to the An
nexation Debate.
WHITE IN OPPOSITION
The Leader Of the Anti-Annexationists
Speaks for Three Hours and q
Half-He Failed TO Com
mand Attention.

ready has begun to flag. Early in the
| present session. the senate debated the
question behind closed doors for six
weeks. During hat time a majority
OF the speakers were accorded close
attention. 1t is evident from the pro-
ceedings to-day that the senators will
not become enthusiastic e argu-
ments which are not new to them.
Early to-day Mr.. white. dem, Cal. the
leader of the opponents of annexation.
spoke for three hours and a half. His
argument was skilful and presented
oratorical ability. but II failed to COM
mand the attention from senator's 1t
really deserved.
Mr.. White had not concluded his ar
gument when the resolutions were laid
aside for the day. Mr.. Mitchell. dem,
Wis, opened the discussion to-day with
a brief speech in opposition to the reso-
buttons. Among the bills passed was
one providing severe penalties for the
malicious injury or destruction of sub
marine mines, torpedoes, fortihcations
or other coast defenses.
A short time after the senate con-
vened the resolution for the annexation
of Hawaii was laid before II.
Mr.. Mitchell of Wisconsin delivered
!. kNNta ~ " III
He declared that the nation just now
was shorn of its judgment. The effort
TO establish our government in the
far West n the adoption OF a policy of
imperialism vas evidence of that He
thought the seizure of Hawaii would
remove all doubt as to our land-grab-
bling intentions. He declared that the
annexation project was a clumsy cover
for the sugar magnates. from around
the edge of which the ~saccharine juice
dripped to the advantage of all who
cared to avail themselves of IL.
At the conclusion OF Mr.. Mitchells
speech. Mr.. White OF California. the
leade Of the opponents to annexation.
took the floor. A call for q quorum by
Mr.. Jones OF Arkansas developed the
presence of 81 senator's.
Mr.. White maintained hat the ques-
ton pending was not only OF the most
Importance, but the issues presented
with 1t deserved and ought to have the
careful consideration of an. He de-
clared that territory had been acquired
by treaty, but in no case had territory
been acquired by such a 'monstrous
piece of folly Inc contradiction as was
the pending resolution. The resolution.
he said. declared that there had been a
cession which congress was to "ac-
cept. ratify n confirm" He de-
manded to know what cession a been
made and what lawyer in the senat
| Nbhtu rNdlt llal thtIt uaA pfth n Is
sion. He maintained that there had
been no c%ession, as there could not have
been without the concurrence of both
parties. Il would be ashamed of this
senate" declared Mr.. White. III IL
should pass the pending resolution. con-
tanning such a contradiction OF terms.
] should be ashamed of the senat II II
should adopt a declaration OF a cession
that had never existed as a fact"
Referring TO the possibility OF annex
alton Of the Hawaiian island by legis-
lative action. Mr.. White contended that
the executive would be Justified in taxi
ing possession of foreign territory only
as an act OF war. and only from the
enemy. Mr.. White gave some atten-
ton TO the possibility of the Hawaiian
Islands becoming a state OF the union
in case OF their annexation and con-
graduated the country upon the fact
that no one had been found TO contend
for this right. He characterized the con-
ditions on the islands as a heterogeneous
compound Of manifest inefnciency.
Mr.. White read. among other things,
an calculation Of the Monroe doctrine.
and then said: In this mad race for
power. in this mad race for conquest
OF territory. let us consider most care
fully the doctrine of Monroe. 1t is idle
for senator's to say We must extend our
domination over the world. In enun-
~ MI
nounced hat we desired 10 interference
of European powers with affairs in this
hemisphere, but by those who framed
that doctrine II had In contemplation
that we ourselves had no intention to
interfere with territorial possession out
side OF this hemisphere. The scQuisi-
ton OF the Hawaiian islands would be
the entering wedge OF that imperialistic
policy which 10 as foreign to the pur-
poses In view when this government
was organized as were the purposes Of
the most despotic government on earth
to our system"
In the course Of his speech Mr.. White
had read by the clerk a protest Of the
japanese minister to HIS country
against the arguments and conclusions
of the foreign relations committee as
presented In Its report on the Ha wsiian
treaty. The particular object of the
minister's criticism was the statement of
the committee concerning the purpose of
the japanese government to interfere In
Hawaiian affairs. As the clerk was
about completing the reading Of the
ocument Mr.. Morgan rose and indig-
nantly commented upon such a criti-
cism Of the senate committee. He de-
clared that no foreign minister had any
right to send to the enate such an at
tack upon senators. Mr.. White said the
minister had not sent the document TO
the senate. He brought 10 himself.
rs Il an official paper" inquired Mr..
Morgan.
1t has been fled" replied Mr.. White.
Il have presented II here and have used
IL al a part of my remarks. IL is APP
posite and relevant TO the conclusions OF
the committee on foreign relations"
rs II an official paper" persisted Mr..
Morgan. Il ask for information"
Mr.. white declined to say whether or
not IL war official.
IF II is an official document fled by
the Japanese minister to this country .
declared Mr.. Morgan. 1T Is a very out
rsgeous assault upon the privileges of
the senate"
Mr.. White aid there was nothing
mysterious about the paper. and II did
not infringe upon the rights of the sen.
ale.
II am calling the report OF the com
mittee into question. l am critlcising
II as ] have a right to do. II IL Is not
a copy OF an authentic document. the