The times., 1898-06-01

Speaker Reed is still plotting and schen
ing to defeat the annexation Of the Ha-
Waiian Islands.
He has been driven into a corner but
he still hopes to extricate himself from
the dilemma with honor and without any
loss of prestige.
The recent history of the fight for Ha-
zvaiian annexation in the House has tend
ed unfortunately TO encouraging Mr.
Reed to hope for ultimate victory The
cold truth is that the advocates of annex
alton. the men entrusted by the President
with the serious duty of pressing the res
olution for annexation, have shown entire
~ too much Difference for the Speaker.
They have temporized where Mr.. Reed
has shown fight Chairman Hit has met
the sturdy. combative Reed with mild
suggestions instead of boldly proclaiming
q definite purpose of the majority
IL is no longer a matter Of secret at the
House and the Capitol that the Speaker
now regards il as a matter of pride, as
something essential to the maintenance
of his power, TO defeat the Hawaiian res
olution. Moreover il is just as well
known that he is also moved in his ag-
gressive attitude by distinctive hostility
TO the President and by the conversation
of certain interests uncompromisingly
hostile 10 the transfer of the Sandwich
Islands 10 the American flag.
Gen. GrOsvenor. chairman of the Re
publican caucus Of the House. returned
from Ohio and was. in his seat yesterday.
He was seen by The Times representative
and asked as to the pending movement
for a caucus TO make annexation a party
question.
so many Republicans are absent just
now. said Gen. Grosvenor. that I do
not see how We can hold caucus for
several days. : doubt If we can hold one
this week The Pennsylvania members
are away at their convention and many
other friends of ours are absent"
Reeds Obstinacy.
Gen. Grosvenor was asked the direct
question as TO whether there was any
indication of the consent OF the Speaker
for consideration of the NeBIands reso-
luton.
Il would not ike to say" replied the
general. Speaker Reed is a stubborn
perhaps I should say a determined
man"
Gen. Grosvenor, Chairman Hit and
other members who are actively engaged
annexation concurred in the statement
that q caucus will be called unless the
Newlands resolution can be brought be-
fore the House without one.
Soon after the adjournment OF the
House. Speaker Reed called a conference
in his room Of his trusty friends and ad-
herents. The Hawaiian situation was
canvassed. and the Speaker, with mora
bitterness than diplomacy, reiterated his
undying hostility to the measure.
One of his friends suggested to the
Speaker that he had better take time to
calmly survey the situation and take his
bearings. Emboldened by the apparent
willingness Of the Speaker 10 hear him,
this friend-a prominent Republican
added that the demand for Hawaiian an
neXation had grown until IL involved
nearly sll the Republicans and many OF
the Democrats. He frankly told the
Speaker that in further resenting II. he
not only endangered Republican harmony
but that he invited personal defeat and
the final overthrow of all his future
schemes Of ambition.
To this the Speaker made no direct re-
sponse. He cannot reconcile himself to
defeat He has ruled his party almost
without question so long that he feels
inclined 10 punish the Republicans who
have set up the standard of revolt.
Must Be Taught Lesson.
II was a matter of common comment
among Republicans at the House yester-
day that the time had come TO teach the
Speaker a lesson Of discipline; that his
domineering rule must be broken. now
that it arrays him against the expressed
Will Of his party.
Gen. Grosyenor said last night that
aside from the grave question involved
In the early possession Of the Hawaiian
Islands As a matter of military necessity
The Republicans Of the House were de-
fermined 20 assert their right to have
the subject considered. He said they
We're determined not to be defeated by
any minority. whether constituted OF one
man OF a dozen.
Speaker Reeds present scheme is TO
adjourn Congress before the Hawaiian
question can be considered. He is en-
deav0ring to create the impression that
there is nothing left to consider, except
the war revenue bill.