Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-01-13
WAIIAN TREATY.
MR. DAVIS PRESENTS STRATEGIC
FEATURES OF ANNEXATION.
THE COMPLICATION IN The EAST.
Importance OF Our Possessing the
Sandwich Islands fin View OF IT.
Mr.. Allen, OF Nebraska, Opposes the
Annexation Project. >

WASHINGTON, January Ex-senator
Davis completed his speech I'm the execu-
tive session OF the Senate to-day on the
Hawaiian treaty, and was followed by
Senator Allen, of Nebraska, who spoke in
opposition.
Mr.. Davis's speech to-day was devoted
largely TO n presentation of the strategic
features OF annexation. He displayed a
chart in front Of the presiding officers
platform, showing the location OF Ha-
wall relative TO the United States and
Asia. One Of the points brought out with
considerable elaboration was the probable
effect on the Nicaragua canal Of the oc-
cupation of the island by some foreign
Power. The nation, he said, which con-
trolls Hawaii will control that great gate
way Of commerce, as the guns planted
upon Hawaii would be pointed directly
at the mouth Of the canal
He also devoted very careful attention
TO the Importance OF controlling Pearl
harbor. now owned by the United States,
saying that the nation which maintained
possession Of this great harbOr would
hold the key to the military situation in
the North Pacific.
He also presented the necessity for con-
trolling Hawaii as a base OF supplies IN
case Of hostlities, saying that 1t was al
most necessary to control it for this rea-
son, on account of the impOssibility or a
warship's crossing the Pacific without re-
plenishlng her coal supply.
MIR. Davis ridculed the objection made
by Japan that the addition of Hawaii as
United States territory would work "A
violation of Japan's treaty rights in the
island.
JAPAN AND CHINA.
Mr. Davis referred to Japan's protest
as an indication Of her natural tendency
to rapacty, and said that the govern
ment of that country should have been
satisfied with the territory wrested from
China, instead of wanting to gorge her
self by the addition Of Hawaii.
Mr.. Davis did not indicate a belief that
immediate war would be the result OF
the European competition over Chinese !
territory. On the contrary, he called at |
tention to the fact that the flags OF |
Great Britain, France, Germany. ana |
Russia were floating side by side on the |
Oriental waters neither Power being ap- |
parently anxious 10 disturb the other so |
long as there was a prospect OF each |
Powers getting as much as the others |
Were taking.
The only way IN which the United |
States could protect themselves against |
this division OF territory would be 10
control the Hawaiian Islands. IN case
we should fail 10 do this, there was
danger of losing very important trade
advantages, which were rapidly develop
ing in the far East. He referred to the l
improvement of the commercial outlook
between the United States and China,
and instanced the fact that one Mime
sofa firm had exported a half million dol
lars worth Of flour to that country.
Mr.. Davis closed with the remark that
while brilliant craftsmanship demanded
that we should look out for tomorrow,
IL is still more brilliant craftsmanship
to take into consideration the day after
tomorrow. He declared that modern
in travel had produced such
4 revolution that the Islands were no
further from Washington to-day than
was New Orleans at this time Of the
acquisition of Louisiana, and contended
hat the distance between the two coun-
ries was no bar TO their unity.
Mr.. Davis was congratulated by almost
very senator present upon the force Of
'esearch, and the brilllancy OF his pre-
'cntttlo4i Of iac,s.
ALLEN IN OPPOSITION.
Senator Allen PopulisD. of Nebraska.
ollowed with a speech in opposition 20
he treaty which was comparatively |
,rief. He called attention to the distance
# Hawaii from our shores, referred to
he necessity we should be under Of de-
ending the islands in case of war, and
laimed that on this account il would be
ecessary for the United States 10 es-
heir protection. as well as an army on
ne islands.
He also deprecated the idea Of as
such "A population as that Of
Iawaii. calling attention 10 the fact that \
lmOst half Of il was composed of Chinese
nd japanese. He contended that the 0
nnexatlon OF the islands would open the '
cor for violation Of our laws for the o
xclusion Of Chinese. He said. also. that Il
{ would be impossible TO prevent .
Iawaiis becoming a State of the Union -,
some future day, and declared that e
he people Of that country were not Of N
character calculated 10 send accepta- q
lie senators 10 Washington
There was apparent to-day a disposition Il
n the part of some Of the senators who n
nnounce themselves undecided as 10
hat course 10 pursue on the Hawaiian ~
lestion. to mix it with the Cuban prob p
m They are friends Of Cuba. and their "
ssire Is TO have the administrator take d.
more pronounced position in the inte-
st OF Cuba, as a return for their as
stance on the Hawaiian treaty.