The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1898-02-08
TELLER TALKS FOUR HOURS.
FaVors Annexation OF H9nwniI, Hnt
~ H"t Sure of the Hccccssnry sixty

IL Not Sure OF thc NccccsSnry sixty
Votes.
Washington. ID. c., Feb. 7.-s;enator
Teller. of Colorado, occupied the en-
TIRE Tour hours Of to-day's executive
session in the Senate in discussing the
Hawaiian annexation treaty. During
the course of his speech Mr.. Teller
TOOK occasion to say that he should
nave been glad to discuss the treaty in
open session, and 10 this remark he
added the opinion that the time had
utmost come when the question of an
neNatiOn should be debated upon a bin
looking to Legislation by both houses or
IonEress rather than upon the basis
OF the treaty.
While he thought there might bc a
pare possibility of securing the sixty
votes necessary to ratify the trcuty
ne conceded that under the present
circumstances this was exceedingly
doubtful, and he thought the sooner
inns TACT should be recognized und a
| change OF front made the hetter II
would be from all points Of view.
ihere were some Interruptions ut
point, and it was suggested by some
senators. after the close Of the cSccu-
i've session, that the Committee on
Foreign Relations consider the adyis-
tniiily OF making this change of policy
nt us next meeting, to be held on
Wednesday OF this week.
The statement was made by Senator
Davis, chairman Of the Committee on
fofeisn relations, that there had been
10 intention OF attaching the treaty 10
one OF the apprOpra tion bills as an
amendment, rs had been staten was
4 he ease, in some of the newspapers
lie made this statement in reply TO n
q fFS
California
senator Teller advocated the ratin-
catlon Of The treaty. basing his rea-
sons Tor this position upon the grounds
that the annexation of the islands was
IN the interest of our commerce and I'm
Ilnc with our national policy for the
past half century. IIe devoted him
sen very largely to replying TO the OBJ
Jcclaon that has been raised to acuuir-
ing the Islands because OF the dcnomi-
nation or the native race. FIe under
look 10 show that there was no foun-
dalton for this criticism or, if tbcro
was, such foundation now IL need moi
he said, long continue to be an essen
tai factor of the situation. He based
TINS statement upon figures which he
produced 10 show that the natives mr.
hanakas were rapidly dying off, as n
result OF their commingling with ont
side races.
With the fierce struggle that was
about to begin in the Orient, for the
possession of new territory, among the
european powers it was, indeed, a
short sighted man, he stated, who
would contend that Hawaii, occupying
so important location, as it does. in
The middle of the great Pacific ocean.
would be left untouched by some of
the Undertaking nations of the Ola
world Under the present circum-
stances 1t was absurd for this govern
mcht to try TO maintain n system of
control without taking actual posses
sim.
If the white man of the United States
could not be Impressed with the isl
ands, Mr.. Teller thought, they would
make an ideal location for colorcd pco
pie who might desire to leave the
present territory Of This country and
who would find congcnial employment
in the sugar plantation and coffee
fields of Hawaii.
Taking UP The question of the neces-
s!ty for the defense OF the islands and
OF the maintenance OF n large fleet in
their waters in case of annexa ton he
said that this was a mere bugaboo and
was without foundation in fact. All
tina; would he necessary would ba TO
fortify Pearl harbOr for the prOtcction
Is
OF hostility.
MIR. Teller went extensively into The
history Of the Islands from 1880 10 1850
10 show that boh English men and
Frenchmen had forced treaties of con-
ces9on out of the rulers OF the isI-
ands
There IS no present purpose In the
House OF Representatives to consider
the Hawaiian question, and the House
leaders say there has been no change
whatever In the disposition 10 allow
the Senate to act on the subject be-
fore making any move In the House
Speaker Reed would make no public
comment on published reports that he
had changed his views on Hawaii and
was now in favor of prompt action on
joint resolution nnnexing Hawaii
The report caused much comment
among members and to those who
made inquiries OF the Speaker he re-
piled with much emphasis that the re-
port was unwarranted and false.