The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-05
HAWAII WELL WORTH HAVING.
ATOR GORMAN GIVES HIS
VIEWS ON ANNEXATION.

BECOME
SAYS America Can Build ships 10
Per Cent. Cheaper Than England
Can.
Washington, Jan. Am the power and
influence of the administration is 10 be
.varted upon congress in behalf of the rat
,fcation of the Hawaiian treaty. During
the Christmas holidays. those senators
and representatives, who are favorable to
the treaty have visited the executive man.
SION and conferred with the President on
the subject Yesterday afternoon an i'm
portant conference was held in the Presi-
dents office between Senators Davis
chairman of the committee on foreign re-
Iations. Cullom of Illinois, Eikins of West
Virginia, Allison and Gear of Iowa, Fair
banks of Indiana, and Assistant Secretary
of State Day.
Senator Elkins, who is an enthusiastic
annexa ZIONIST, says it is not the intention
of the administration to urge the ratifica-
ton of the treaty on the ground that the
United States needs Hawaii for purposes
of military and naval defense solely, but
on an entirely different basis. In view of
the existing complications in the far east,
the trade relations between the United
States and eastern countries must be care
fully guarded and protected. While it
may not be necessary for the United States
10 become involved in the pending difficult
ties between China, Japan, Russia, Ger
many. England or France, it is important
that we should look after our constantly
increasing commerce with all of the ma
tons mentioned.
1t is therefore the policy of the friends
of annexation to make the fight for annex
alton on purely commercial grounds. Sen
ator Elkins says he does not favor the
idea that the present population of Ha-
wall shall be taken into the brotherhood
of American citizenship. From a CONNER
cal standpoint alone. Hawaii is worth the
$4,000. 900 of debt we are asked to assume,
if we only use the island as a resting
place for a cable. 1t is impossible for the
ships sailing out of San Francisco and Pa
chc coast ports to China, Japan and other
eastern countries to continue their voyage
without stopping at Hawaii for coal and
supplies. While he is not in favor of an
nexation on general principles and he
would not be in favor of anneXing either
Cuba or Canada, for the reason that we
have all the territory we can take care of,
yet, he believes the whole country would
be materially benefited by owning the Ea-
Waiian Islands.
This is the substance of the talks which
have taken place at the white house re-
Gently, and the friends of the treaty are
under the impression that they will have
the support of a number of democratic
votes for ratification on this line. Sena-
tor German who still yields considerable
influence on the democratic side of the
chamber is greatly impressed with the
idea that our trade relations demand the
annexation of Hawaii He does not favor
the wholesale acquisition of territory by
the United States, and he Is too firm a be-
lever in the Monroe doctrine to consent
10 the acquisition of Hawaii by any other
nation.
In this connection, I feel warranted in
repeating the substance of a conversation
] had with Senator German on this sub
ject a few days ago. He had just re
turned from a trip to New York, where
he met and discussed various business
propositions and also national affairs. SEN
ator German says Hawaii virtually be-
longs to the United States to-day, by
reason of the concessions we have made
40 her in connection with the revenue on
sugar We have RENTED duties amount
Ing up to something in the neighborhood
Of 900, and 1t would never do for
Us to allow any other nation TO take pos
session of that territory. We could not
permit ii and live up TO the doctrine of
President Monroe. We have also a lease
or some kind of a claim upon Pearl har-
Dor and if we needed Pearl harbor years
ago, we have greater need for il now.
If any other nation should attempt to
acquire Hawaii what are we going to do
about Pearl harbor? And what are we
0in tn do af,f oil Tho fri lxr
SONS we have been making to Hawaii all
those years?
Senator Jones of Arkansas who was
also participant in the foregoing con-
versation, and a strong anti-annexation-
lst confessed that he was somewhat puz-
zled by the questions asked by the senator
from Maryland. The Arkansas senator re-
marked that if the situation reached the
point that some other country attempted
10 acquire Hawaii and deprive us of what
ever title we may have 20 Pearl harbor,
as a coaling station he would be in favor
OF lighting for our rights. This was an
unfortunate confession for Senator Jones
as his friend from Maryland quickly took
him up with the suggestion that if Pearl
harbor is worth fighting for, the Hawaiian
Islands are certainly worth something to
the United States. Senator German went
on to say that now we have an opportu-
nifty to obain possession of these islands,
Harbor, without going to war. and it
seemed to him to be part of wisdom to
annex the islands as a good business in
vestment.
Looking at the subject from a CONNER
cal standpoint, Senator German called at
lention to the fact that for the first time
IN many years, the balance of trade seems
10 be with the United States. The great
question to be met by this country is
mat of transportation. He then went on
10 say that at last the American mechan-
les are able to construct ships for the car
iNng trade cheaper than they can be built
IN England. In verifcation of this state
,neht, he said that in recent talk with
MI Arthur Sewell, the well-known builder
VI ships at Bath, Me, the latter stated
mat under the improved facilities for pro-
uuclng steel in this country, he can now
Dulld ocean going ships ten per cent.
oheaper than similar ships can be built
upon the Clyde, England. Mr.. Sewell adj
yea that he now has under contract ten
rev ships and he predicted that in
rev years American built ships will be
Cdrrylng the great bulk of the American
commerce. In view of these astonishing
sl8tments Senator German says he is
lining to help commerce by the anexa-
uon of Hawaii