The San Francisco call., 1898-05-06
PRESSING
 ANNEXATION
 OF HAWAII Advocates Urge That the Islands Are
 Needed. Would Push the Scheme Through as a War
 Measure.
It Is Claimed That the United States Needs Honolulu as
 a Coaling Station.
TREATY YET IN ABEYANCE.
Before Rushing Newlands' Resolution Ratifi cation of the Original Meas
 ure to Be Sought
Special Dispatch to The Call

NEW YORK, May 5.-A Washington special to the Herald says: Immedi- ate action by Congress on the resolu- tion for the annexation of the Hawaiian Islands is most earnestly desired by the administration Chairman Hit of the
 House Committee on Foreign Affairs called special meeting of the commit tee to-day to consider the annexation resolution introduced in the House by Representative Newlands. The matter was discussed in all its details, and it was found that the resolution would have an overwhelming majority in the committee-twelve of the members be- ing in favor of it and only three against it.
 Final action was not taken at to- days meeting, however, for the reason that it was thought that Commodore Dewey's report of the situation at Ma nila might render some change In the form of the resolution desirable. Chair man Hit gave notice that another meeting of the committee would be held on Tuesday next. Final action on the resolution will then be taken, and it will be reported 10 the House. The present programme is to have it taken up in the House and passed not later than Thursday.
 Strong arguments in favor of imme- diate action were advanced in the con- mittee this morning. It was contend ed that the possession of the islands was absolutely essential for war pur- poses at this time, and that whether Congress acted or not, we might be compelled to use Honolulu as a base of supplies. The necessity of imme- diately reinforcing Commodore Dewey and of sending him enough troops to enable him to hold the Philippine Isl- ands and maintain order among the Spaniards and the natives was re- ferred to.
 It was pointed out that his report would probably indicate the necessity of immediately dispatching an expedi- tion to Manila with troops and sup plies. From San Ere lcisco to Manila by the most direct route is about 1000 miles. AS any ships tha. may be sent out would be exp ectei to travel at the highest possible rate nf speed they can not e onomize in the use cf coal As all the ships which will go will be leaviiy loaded with ammunition and supplies of all kinds for Commodore Oewey's fleet and for the land forces, it wIi. not be possible for them to carry more than their normal supply of coal. If they are to rep auSh their bunkeIs CT rULte it must be done at Honolulu There is no other port in the broad cx- panSe of the Paclf1c where coal can he obta:rtd.
 Che of the first vessels tIiat VII be sent will be the cru;snr Charleston With her maximum supply of ce.al on board she would not be able to reach Manila even at a ten-llnot speed She will be expected to travel much faster than this, and must necessarily replen- ish her bunkers at ;Io aolulu What ever doubt may have existed as to the status of coal in time of War the ac- ton oI all the powers since the present war broke out has clearly established the pri~ ~riple that coal is contraband of war, and that no neutral nation can allow the vessels of ] Oeii;garerr power to take on coal except fer the plIrpcsc Of pr eeding to q h )ne port or to an- oIhe' neutral port.
 Such vessels of the United States as may coal at Honolulu will be destined fo: fCstile expedition against Spain, and should the HaSaiiarl Government bern t them to coal at Honolulu and proceed from there to Manila the ef- fcce ur"er international law. as estab- lished by the common action Of civil. iZeI nations in tho pr.so Il war. would be to mako Hawaii all ally of inc Uni led states IT.. ,'Ily crupeasa,Ion Hawaii wants Is annexation.
 There will be no difficulty in getting the annexation resolution through the House. Practically the entire Repub- lican members and many of the Demo- crats will vote for it. When the Sen ate will act cannot be foretold. Before taking up the annexation resolutions in the Senate Chairman Davis and those who stand with him in favor of an nexation of the islands will make one more effort to secure the ratification of the annexation treaty.