Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-05-26
Important Questions That Confront
the Country.
PORTO RICAN INVASION FAVORED
Permanent Occupation of the
Philippines.
ANNEXATION OF HAWAII

In congressional circles the greatest IN
terest is taken in the proposition to invade
Porto Rico. and to make three substantial
" simultaneous moves. The action of the
administration in calling for additional
troops and the determination that the occu-
patton of the Philippines and Porto Rico
shall be simultaneous with. If it does not
precede the capture of Cuba meet with
very general approval in Congress A large
number of men from each house of Con-
gress visited the departments today, and
there was great activity, especially at the
War Department The visits of statesmen
related very largely to the military APP
pointments which will result from the call
for 5000 additional troops, but some OF
the visitors went for no other purpose than
to express their satisfaction at the deter
mination to press the war vigorously at the
three points. and nearly everybody ex-
pressed approval 1t is quite definitely I'M
derstood now that no opportunity is to be
given Spain to withdraw from the war with
no other loss than that of Cuba
There seems to be a sentiment in all in
fuential quarters. without regard to party,
in favor of the policy of expanding the in
fuence of this government and cultiyatinS
the closest relations with Great Britain
Prompt Invasion of Porto Rico.
The invasion of Porto Rico is to be made
as speedily as possible. and the American
flag is expected to wave over that island
before the evacuation of Cuba by the Span
ish. 1t is well understood that Spain. real
izing that her sovereignty over Cuba can
not be maintained, would hail with salts
faction an excuse for evacuating that is
land before any of her other possessions
were lost. Reliable information is possess
ed that the Spanish representatives at the
courts of some of the foreign powers are
tentatively approaching the subject of the
influence of the powers being eNerted to
confine the operations of the United States
II Cuba is evacuated. 1t is believed that If
a large invading army were landed in Cuba
and our military and naval operations di-
rected solely against that island it would
speedily be surrendered. if by the surrender
Spain could retain possession of Porto Rico
and the Philippines.
1t Is not the intention of this government
however to proceed in that manner. When
Havana falls, Porto Rico and the Philip
pines are expected to be in the possession
of the United States.
Hawaiian Annexation.
The impression is general among sen
ators and representatives that the adj
journment of Congress may be brought
about in two weeks. Senator White. who
Is chairman of the democratic congression-
al committee expressed the opinion last
night that vote would be had on the
revenue dill by the Senate at the close
of this week and that Congress would
adjoL IN in two weeks. Senator White is
one of the strongest opponents to the an
nexation Of Hawaii and this opinion is
based on the idea of the Hawaiian ques-
ton being laid aside until next session
hat ha
hoped for a vote at the end of this week
and thought an adjournment might occur
in two weeks. Senator Hawley. in view
of the objection of Senator Daniel TO Sat-
urday being fixed a time for a vote on
the revenue bill. said today that he sup
posed the vote would go over until next
week. but he thought it might be taken
Monday or Tuesday, and that it was Q;iite
possible Congress would adjourn in two
weeks Representative Dockery expressed
the opinion today that Congress would ad-
journ that early.
1t is reported that an understan ding has
been reached between come of the lead
of the various factions that the Ha-
waiian question Will Eot be pressed at this
time. This appears, however. to be an
overstateInent of the case, since the friends
of annexation are still making determined
elIOEIS TO COZ the committee on rules 10
afford an opportunity for a vote in the
House ON the annexation resolution. 1t is
anticipated that the caucus which the re-
publican annsxationists have arranged for
will not be held before next week. but it
Is insisted by the advocates of the resolu-
ton that st shall not be abandoned. A
very complex situation is threatened. some
Of the advocates of Hawaiian annexation
saying that they will agree to hasten
vote on the revenue bill If the House takes
up the Hawaiian question. while, on the
other hand. the opponents of annexation
express a willingness to vote quickly
as possible the revenue measure. pro-
vide6 the House does not take up the Ha-
waIian question
Our Colonial Policy.
The democrats generally oppose action on
Hawaii now. some of them stating that
they do not want to be compelled TO vote
on the question until they know what is
going to be the general policy Of this gov
eminent in relation to colonial possessions
as result OF the present war. They say
that IL compelled TO vote on Hawaii as a
proposition standing by itself they will
vote against annexation, whereas If we are
to take and retain possession Of the Phil
ippines they would vote to annex Hawaii
also
This attitude OF many of the democrats
Is being used by republicans who stand
with Speaker Reed as an argument against
action at this time. and the danger of the
Hawaiian question compiicating the stu
alton with relation TO the revenue bill is
also being held UP as a bug-a-boo. 1t IL
urged that the important thing now Ia to
get the revenue bill out of the way. and
II 10 declared that IL the administration
holds TO policy Of retaining the Philip
pines and Porto Rico. there will be prac-
tically no opposition to the ratification of
the Hawaiian treaty by the Senate