New-York tribune., 1898-01-12
DAVIS URGES ANNEXATION.
REASONS WHY THE UNITED STATES
SHOULD TAKE HAWAII.

THE DEBATE ON THE TREATY OPENED BY THE
CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE on FOREIGN
RELATIONs-IMPoRTANCE or THE ISL
ANDs IN THE PACIFIC TRADE
THE AvowED AND CONSIST
ENr PURPOSE OF THIS
COUNTRY TO AN
MEX THEM
Washington, Jan. 11.-Except for n few min
utes given to a controversy over some minor
pOstofiice confirmations the entire time OF the
executive session Of the Senate to-day was
consumed by Senator Davis. Of Minnesota, in
speech in support of Hawaiian annexation
Mr.. Davis is chairman of the Senate Committee
on Foreign Relations. and his speech was gen
orally accepted the semi-oiicia! utterance OF
the majority Of the committee. He spoke for
about two hours. and when the Senate adjourned
had not finished. The speech was the first upon
the merits of the treaty. and on this account
and because Of the known fact that Senator
Davis had made a very careful investigation OK
the subject he received the undivided attention
Of the members OF the Senate, regardless OF IN
divdual views.
The portion Of the speech delivered to-day
consisted Of a review of the relations between
this country and Hawaii during the history or
these islands and was intended to show that
the United States had exercised fostering and
protecting care them from the beginning
with many evidences OF the intention ultimately
Of making them integral portion or the
American domain.
II approach this question: the Senator De-
gan. with. | hope, due sense Of the RESPONSE
bty imposed upon me In beginning debate
the result of which may be OF momentous con-
sequence to the future welfare OF both this
country and the Hawaiian Islands. The ques-
tion," he continued, rs one OF Importance so
vast that must of necessity approach 1t with
a certain degree of timidty because II IS very
difficult to present all the points involved as
they should properly be presented. however
much care and attention one may have given
to the subject"
COMMERCIAL AND STRATEGIC REASONS.
The Senator without further apology. then
launched into the presentation Of the subject be-
fore the Senate He consumed considerable
time in a general presentation Of the reasons
for annexation, saying that these were poth
commercial and strategic. Referring 10 the
commercial reasons for controlling the ISLANDS
in the interest Of this country, he called atten-
tlon TO their location midway in the Pacinc
| Ocean. and said that any one with half an eye
70 the Importance to the trade OF the Orient
/
important figure in controlling that trade for the
future
"As for their military Importance" said Mr..
Davis 'it has already become evident that the
| onening Of the new century which Is now so
| near must mark the opening OF a new condition
| Of affairs in the far East" He referred briefly
| 70 the operations Of the European Powers In
| China predicting that the time was not far dis
! ,ant when the great nations Of Europe would,
! n they were not checked. control the entire
! Asiatic seaboard.
Taking up the question OF the relationship be-
,,roen Hawaii and the United States, Senator
! Davis presented thorough review OF the EFFORTS
! which had been made in the past 10 annex the
islands and presented quotations from many
eminent statesmen of former times TO show, as
bo said that the best American thought had
alv.ays favored this policy He referred at some
| length 10 the Marcy treaty, showing why 1t had
not been perfected, as he did also TO the treaty
which was made during President Harrison's
| Administration. He also quoted many OF the
utterances of Secretary Marcy and OF Daniel
Webster and in doing took occasion to com
plnent both in high terms. Indeed, said the
Senator with the single exception Of the Ad-
mn,stration OF Mr. Cleveland. it has been the
avowed and consistent purpose of all parties In
all Administrations in this country at the proper
]
the United States. He contended that their his
tory so far as they have civilized history, is
tho result of American enterprise and energy.
| and said that the islands belong TO this country
bv virtue both Of sentiment and geographical
location
AN OPPORTUNITY TO BE IMPROVED
Indeed" the Senator continued, I'm view OF
all the aspects which the case presents the
United States cannot afford, either In its own
interest or in the interest OF the Hawaiian peo-
ple. 10 allow this opportunity to gain control
of them TO pass. Suppose we should not ratify
the present treaty; could we consistently con-
tinue TO exercise the right TO prevent other ma
tions from assuming the control which we de-
cline to take?"
Nv Davis said that up to the present time
we have assumed TO exercise sort OF super
,ieion over the islands under the guse OF as
sertjng the application Of the Monroe Doctrine;
but under the circumstances, 1t would be
hold man indeed. who would consider that
doctrine applicable in the future. in view OF
our failure to take advantage Of this oppor-
tunitv to make the Islands our own
In case" asked Senator Gray. also mem
her Of the Committee on Foreign Relations
"the islands should be annexed. is it the policy
to have them admitted as state Of the Union
with their present mlXed population!
"Such | do not believe to be the purpose or
any one" replied Senator Davis. Il myself
freely admit that the population OF Hawaii Is
not such at the present time as VIII De de-
eirahIe i'm an American State and for myself
NAV say. | consider the character OF the popula-
tio3 ~ he one of the objections 10 annexation
Rut the advantages so far outweigh THIS one ele-
,'Int as 10 render it Of comparative insgnlh- !
IL added that, while he did not believe II 70
ba tho nurposc Of any one that the ISLANDS |
sh,,id constitute a state Of the Union, ne would |
NOT attempt 10 say anything That would phd
flture administrations IL this matter
EASY TO GET RID or THEM LATER
one strong point which Mr. Davis dwelt on
y. considerable length was the desirabillty OF