The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1898-01-14
WHY WE SHOULD ANNEX.
Senator Davis Final Argument Covers the
Strategic Features Of the Subject.


Strategic Features Of the Subject.
WASHINGTON, Jan. l4.-Senator Davis
continued and completed his speech in
the executive session of the senate dur.
ing the day on the Hawaiian treaty and
was followed by Senator Allen OF
Nebras ska, who spoke in opposition.
Mr. Davis requested i'll the beginning
chat no questions should be asked dur
ing the presentation Of his argument,
~ he preferred, he said, not to have
the continuity Of his thoughts broken.
The speech was devoted largely to
presentation Of the strategic features OF
annexation. He displayed chart in
front Of the presiding officers platform
showing the location Of Hawaii relative
TO this country and to Asia. One OF
the points brought out with consider.
able elaboration was the probabl effect
on the Nicaraguan canal Of the
Occupation Of the Islands
by some foreign power. He illustrated
by reference TO the map showing that
Hawaii was in a straight line between
the western terminus Of the canal and
Japan and China. The nation, he said.
which controls Hawaii will control that
great gateway Of commerce, as the
guns planted upon Hawaii would be
pointed directly at the mouth Of the
canal.
He also devoted very careful atten.
tion TO the importance OF controlling
Pearl larbor, now owned by the United
States, saying that the nation which
maintained possession Of TINS harbor
would hold the key 10 the military sit
uation in the North Pacific. He read
extracts from reports by engineers ana
others III Confirmation OF this statement
and in support Of a statement which he
| made as 10 the character OF the harbor.
which was that II was safe and com.
modious and could be easily defended,
| He also presented the
Necessity for Controlling Hawaii
as a base Of supplies III case of hosull'
ties, saving tlat II was almost neces
sary 10 control il for tins reason on ac
! count Of the impos.itllitv Of a warshli
crossing the Pacific without replcnlsh
ing her Goa! supplies.
/ Mr.. Davis rIdlculed the objection
made by Japan that the addition O
Hawaii a, United States TERRITORY
would work a violation OF Japan
treaty rights III the ISLANDS. He said II
reply 10 this objection that all right
would doubtless te protected. and III
| Il -. = no { ,ar p,ro
pire as showing the effect Of annexa
ton upon the treaties Of various coun
tries " hich enter into consolidation
He referred TO Japan's protest as an IL
dication OF natural tendency 10 rapacit
and said that the government OF tina
country should have been satishe
with the
Territory Wrested From China
instead Of wanting TO gorge herself b
khe addition Of Hawaii. The last ha
fhour Of Senator Davis speech was d'
voted 10 q recapltu!atlon of the subJec
in which he dwcl, at conslderabl
length and portrayed III strong Ia,
guage the origin and close OF gres
wars, which was intended 10 illustra'
the probable ultimate result Of presei
operations IN Chinese waters.
When Senator Davis took his seat /
was congratulated by almost ever
member presen, upon the force of h
argument, the thoroughness of his r
search and the bril.iaacy Of his pr
sentation of facts.
, Senator Allen Pop. Neb) followt
with speech III opposition to Il
treaty, which was comparatively brie