The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1898-06-03
STILL UNDECIDED ABOUT HA-
wAiI.

Even Lodge Now Advocates.
Special Dis patch to the Chronicle
WASHINGTON, May "a Republic
ans in the House will decide to-
m prov whether or not they will
action they shall take upon Hawai-
ian annexation. General Grosvt nor
VI Ohio to-day circulated call for
caucus to be held Thursday for
the purpose of taking steps to secure
Early consideration OF the Newlands
annexation resolution, and got thirty
signatures. Among these was Chair
man Diugley, leader OF the floor,
who has been quoted as in opposi-
ton to annexation, but who recently
has assured several advocates that
he was in favor of opposing early
consideration only for the reason
that he desired that the revenue bill
should be disposed OF first.
Later Grosvenor and Dngley had
an interview with Republican mem
bers on the Committee on Rules in
the Speakers room, and it was then
developed that ia their zeal for the
passage of the measure some OF its
friends had entirely misunderstood
the Speakers words. Reed reiterat-
ed his opposition to annexation, and
sat forth at some length bis views
on the question. After a brief talk
the two leaders retired, convinced
that the Speaker would not consent
to consideration OF the resolution
unless strong arguments were
brought to bear. At first Grosvenor
was inclined to drop the matter, but
after consultation with the friends
OF annexation he said would con-
slider until tomorrow the matter Of
going ahead with the caucus with
the view OF influencing the Speaker
by formal declaration of the de-
sire to consider the annexation
question.
Tawney OF Minnesota, who made
a canvass Of the House yesterday
and who misunderstood R.ed's posi-
ton when he presented its result,
says there are 1S9 Republicans favor
ing annexation. Strong Middle
States are unanimous in it's support.
Massachusetts has one opponent
and Indiana two, while New York
counts seventeen affirmative votes.
The Democratic strength is not less
than fifteen favorable votes, unless
restrained by caucus. The friends
OF annexation in the Senate now
appear to have been led away by
the specious arguments OF its OPP
ponents and to have reached the
conclusion that nothing will be lost
and perhaps much gained by de-
ferring Congressiona consideration
until next December.
Senator Lodge, who has been one
OF the most active advocates OF both
the treaty and resolution, said to-
day that he was of the opinion that
nothing could be done until Decem.
Der. This argument for delay has
been used for month by the lobby
lists who opposed the ratification OF
the treaty, and since the growth OF
sentiment in the House seemed to
assure favorable action there, they
have been steadily arguing that it
would be better to wait until De-
cember and then pass the treaty, as
that alone was the proper means OF
securing the islands to this country.
Should this course be adopted,
the short session promises to see a
hot struggle, as the opponents Of
favorable consideration for the
treaty make no secret OF their de-
termination to ilibuster for year
if necessary to prevent vote. As
there will be but three months Of
next winters session, such a result
could be obtained very easily. 1t is
with this view that some of the an.
nexationists in the upper and lower
houses are holding out against de-
lay, arguing aud insisting that the
present is the only time to secure
fayorahla aot;on and nrassinp air