The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1898-01-24

ington. Chicago was represented by
Mayor. Harrison, and the army and
navy by Major Hestand and Lieuten-
and Commander Phelps, respectively,
who were resplendent in full dress uni
form. In addition to these gentlemen
the president was welcomed by Gen.
eral Brooke and his staff. Minister
Hatch. of Hawaii and others. including
many ladies.
The first to shake hands with Pres
dent Dole was Judge Crosscup. who
said: President Dole. l am instructed
by the president of the United States
to welcome you here. / am pleased to
introduce to you Secretary Cridler,
representing the president, and Mayor
Harrison. of Chicago"
After the exchange of courtesies and
welcome to Chicago on behalf of the
city by Mayor Harrison, President Dole
cordially responded to the greeting. and
seemed greatly pleased at the hearty
reception given to him. Mrs. Dole, who
Won the hearts of every one present by
her unaffected and plelsa manner
thanked the ladies of the committee for
coming out so early in the day to well
come her, and seemed to appreciate
very highly the reception she received
in Chicago.
The party at once proceeded in car
riages to the Auditorium annex where
suite had been reserved for the guests.
Their rooms are the same apartments
occupied by President Mckinley two
years ago when he visited Chicago to
address the Marquette club, The suite,
which was decorated with. La France
roses and drapcd with Hawaiian flag,
consists of a drawing room and three
bedrooms.
On arriving at the hotel General
Brooke extended an invitation to Pres-
dent and Mrs. Dole to visit Fort Sher-
dan this morning. The invitation was
accepted, and the party left Chicago
this morning at 0 o'clock by special
train. At the fort parade Of the gar
rison was given in their honor.
AT 1 O'Clock tcday luncheon was ten
dered the distinguished guests at
Kingsley's, and afterward formal re-
cepton was held at the Union League
club.
In an interview with a press repre-
sentative President Dole discussed free
ly the conditions in Hawaii, but refused
repeatedly to talk of the Hawaiian an
nexation question now before congress.
81 cannot go into discussion of a mat
ter which is before congress now" he
said. "It would be. / think, discourtc-
Gus. But there is one thing ! do wish
to say. There is absolutely no founda-
tion for these stories of Hawaii being
menaced by Japan. There is absolutely
nothing in it. We are not renaced by
japan, and we did not have a cabinet
meeting and discuss matter of the
kind referred to, and there is no ele-
mcnt in our relations with Japan in
the cause Of my leaving. There is
nO!hing in the relations between our
country and Japan that hurried me to
America.
"It is impossible to say how many
Hawaiians are in favor of annexation
and how many are opposed to it, be
cause no one knows. The Royalists
would tell you, some of them. that all
Hawaiians are opposed to annexation,
which is not true. | think the Portu-
guesc are generally in favor of it. I
think the Germans are generally in
favor of it. The Englshmen are di-
vided. Some of the strongest annexa-
tionists are English, and many of the
English oppose it. The Americans, l
think, are practically a unit in favor
of It,"
Mr.. Dole discussed at length the So
cial and political features Of the island
republic, talking Interestingly Of the
tariff, Honolulu's municipal improve
ments and similar matters. In answer
to question as to what would become
of the present government should the
United States refuse to annex the ISL
ands. the president said:
well, the republic is there. I don't
know that anything will happen, except
that things will go on as usual. l don't
see any immediate danger from posses
sion by any other country"
1t is probable that President Dole will
leave Chicago at l0:3O tomorrow for
Washington.