Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-12
ANNEXATION OF HAWAII.
Senator Davis Speaks COmpreben-
siveIy Thereon.

WASHINGTON. d. c., January H.
Except for a few minutes given to a
controversy over some minor pOst-Ofhce
combinations, the entire time of the exc
cutive session of the Senate to-day was
consumed by Senator Davis. of Mime
sofa, in report on Hawaiian anneXa-
ton.
Mr. Davis is chairman Of the Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations. and his
speech was generally accepted as the
semi-official 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 OF the subject. he
received the undivided attention Of the
members of the Senate. regardless Of in
dividual views. AS the speech was de-
livered behind closed doors, a verbatim
report could not be secured.
The portion of the speech delivered TO-
day consisted of a review Of the rela-
tons between this country and Hawaii
during the history OF those islands. and
was intended to show that the United
States had exercised fostering and pro-
tecting care over them from the begin
ming. with many evidences of the inten
ton of ultimately making them an in
tegral portion of the American domain.
The question, he continued, is one of
Importance so vast that one must Of ne
cessity approach 1t with a certain de-
gree of timidity because IL was. he said.
very difficult to present all the points
involved as they should properly be pre-
scented, however much care and attention
one might have given to the subject
The Senator, without further apology,
then launched into the presentation of
the subject before the Senate. He con-
sumed considerable time in a general
presentment of the reasons for annexa-
ton, saying that these were both COM
mercial and strategic. Referring to the
reasons for controlling the islands in the
interest Of this country, he called atten-
ton to their location, and said that any
one with half an eye 10 the Importance
of the trade Of the Orient could discern
the fact that they must cut a very impor-
tant figure in controlling that trade for
the future.
.'As for their military Importance"
said the Senator, lit has already become
evident that the opening of the new
century. which is now so near, must
mark the opening of a new condition Of
affairs in the far East"
tons OF the European Powers in China,
predicting that the time was not far
distant when the great nations Of Europe
would. If they were not checked, control
the entire Asiatic seaboard
One strong point which Mr.. Davis dwelt
upon at considerable length was the de-
STABILITY of those islands, not only to
this country, but TO all the leading Pow
ers Of the world.
I'VE" he said SHOULD take the islands
while we have the opportunity. and II
we do not want them, II Will be very
easy matter for us to get rid Of them
on our own terms
When Senator Davis concluded this por-
ton OF his speech It was with the gene
raj understanding that he would continue
tomorrow, but as he has an abundance
OF material. Il is doubtful whether he
will be able TO conclude with one more
effort When he ceased speaking he was
generally congratulated by his fellow
senators upon his comprehensive presen-
taton Of the subject.