The Mena star., 1898-06-01
ANNEXATION IF HAWAII.
President Mckinley Tells Callers That We Ought to Take Charge
 of the Islands.
PROSPECTS OF THE NICARAGUA CANAL
Many Senators Believe That the Two Oceans should Be Connected by Cahal in View of Recent Events-Balloons TOT the war-One May Be Sent Up at Santiago de Cuba.

santiago ue CuDds
 WASHINGTON, May 3t President Me Kinlev had a number of personal con- ferences with senators and representa- tives during the early part of the day. It was the regular cabinet day, fact which tended to cut down the usual number of visitors. Adjt Gen. Corbin, of the war department, had confer ence with him over some army ap- pointments and some other matters incident to the volunteer service. The president received no information of any important development in the war situation up to the convening of the cabinet at II o'clock. There was there fore no news from the front that he could impart to callers. Representa- tive Newlands, of Nevada, the silver republican who introduced the Ha- waiian annexation resolution, spent some time discussing the matter with Mir. Mckinley but did not express con- fidence of securing rule for consider ation of Hawaiian affairs. Represent ative Cannon, of Illinois, chairman of the house appropriations commit tee. was at the white house for a little while, though not waiting to see the president He has been in con- ference with the war department off cials over the money needed to be car ried in the general deficiency bill. He said the additional war department estimates growing out of the second call for volunteers would not be less than $40, 000 900 nor more than $50, 000,- 900, the exact amount being not defi- nitely determined. This brings to above S20O, 900, 900 the aggregate to be carried by the general deficiency which will be reported to the house when the war revenue bill has passed the senate. The president during the forenoon took occasion in interviews with callers to reiterate his conviction that the an- nexation of Hawaii should be speedily accomplished.
 Prospects of the Nicaragua Canal.
 WASHINGTON, May 31-As the ques- tion of constructing the Nicaragua canal is likely to assume increased inn portance, if the Hawaiian islands are annexed to the United States and the Philippines are retained as a pos session of this country, senators are, in a measure, considering the two questions together. There is undoubt- edly strong majority in the senate who believe there should be a canal connecting the two oceans, but the question has been presented to the senate in so many phases that opinions differ radically as to which of the various propositions should be adopted. To some extent it is believed in both houses that, if the United States adopts policy of terri torial aggrandizement, the Nicaragua canal may become a necessity. The difficulties in the way of it's construc- ton are manifold, however, and grave doubt is entertained regarding the feasibility of the scheme. The report of the recently appointed commission of engineers, of which Admiral Walker was a member, is awaited with great interest, as it is thought the fate of the project may depend upon the rec concentrations of the commissioners
 Balloons for the War.
 NEW YORK, May 31.-It was learned at Governors island yesterday that it will take about three days longer to get the two balloons which arrived there from France ready for shipment to Tampa. Besides these two balloons and the one already at Tampa fourth was ordered by the government from an American manufacturer some time ago. This will be shipped to Tampa with the two French balloons. Ac- cording to the present plan, one of the French balloons will be tried first, the others being held in reserve. This balloon will probably be sent up from the deck of one of the warships off