The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1898-02-15
PETI|GREW WINDS UP.
FINALLY CLOSES HIS SPEECH
AGAINST ANNEXATION.
Presentation of the ArGaaeats
Of the Opponents of the Treaty
Teller Speaks for Annexation.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 1.-THE senate
devoted almost four hours In executive
session to the consideration Of the ha-
waiian treaty. The principal speech was
made by PettIgrew. this being the third
insfailment of TIA remarks gpcn the sub
jeet.
Pestigrex devoted himself today largely
10 the administration OF President Dois,
showing how the government OF Queen
Lliigokalanl had been oyertnrown. and
10 q presentation Of his views OF this gov
ernmeni's participation in the revolution.
He conten6ed that the downfall OF the
queens government; WIS due 10 con-
spiracy on the part OF Minister Stevens,
REPRESENTING the United States. and the
few citizens of Honolulu Of whom Presi-
dent Doe was One. who were backed BY
the marines from United States battle
ship. He argued that at That time there
was no armed force on The Island opposed
TO the queens government except the
United States marines.
IF the Islands were az aeklraote as
Louisiana, We could not take title from
a government set az BY ourselves without
submitting the question OF anns&tion 10
q vote Of the Hawaiian people.
Pettlgrew also confended that the pas
sage OF the Mckinley tariff law had been
the direct cause OF the revolution by
which the queens government was over
thrown. the motive being TO secure the
bounty Of two cents per pound on domes-
tic sugar, which that law provided. He
quoted letter from Minister Stevens,
saying that the provision for this sugar
bounty had ruined the sugar business Of
the islands unless they could he annex "a
to the United States and cited other au-
tboris!es 10 maintain this contention.
Pettigrew discussed briefly the character
OF the people of Hawaii. He said that
q m al aS
and that this fact applied To all rationale
ties. including Americans and other An
gio-Saxons.
Summing M, Pettigrew said that the op
ponents OF annexation claimed to have es-
tabiished four points. They had. he said.
shown FIRST thai the route TO the Orient
via the sleutian islands 1000 miles
shorter than via Honolulu, second, that
no battieship coaliug the Hawaiian
islands could reach the United states In
condition 10 fight and that on this account
the possession of the islands would be an
cement of weakness rather than or
strength. which was In opposition to the
theory that islands we're necessary 10 de-
fensa. sh.re, that the commerce OF the
islands which had been claimed 10 be an
frnpertant reason fer their annexation.
would be constantly declining and was less
than that Of an ordinary county OF the
United States: fourth. that one OF The
Aleulian Islands would afford n more Sc
cure footing and a shorter route Tor
eebie TO Asia than would the route by
Honolulu.
At the close of his three days speech.
Senator peitigrew vas cordially congratu-
lated by many senators. including some
of the opposition upon the thoroughness
with which he had gone into the subject
and the ability with which he had pre-
scented the opposition 10 annexation
Teller made a brief statement calling
reftigrew's attention 20 the fact that the
United States minister was not the only
representative of a foreign government
who had recognized the Dole government.
pettigrew replied that this was true. but
that the recognition of the other govern
ments had not come until the day follow
ing the queens ahalcatlon. whereas Min
lister Stevens recognition had been before
that time.
Proctor of Vermont followed with
brief speech In favor ~ annexation. He
devoted himself exclusively 20 the milf
iary phase Of the question He called
attention 10 the strong fortress at Esqui-
matt. ana said that If England should
posacss the Hawaiian Islands. as she
might easily do. IN ease W. lei this oppor
tanlty "a acquire them pass by. her drum
BEAT would BE- heard almost entirely
around the United States. and that she
would be able TO attack from her own
territory in any direction. lie attempted
contrcNeFt the statement of Pettigrew
that N8rships could not carry sufficient
fuel from Hawail - make Them effective
either for er against the United States
In case OF hoStiities. and quoted statistics
Ia show the contrary view. lie satd that
IL Il were even true that a vessel could
not carry sufficient coal Itself. vessel
could be taken along Ter the purpose. He
thought the islands essential - the United
States both Tor tho purpose Of offense and
defense
During Inc session. White of California
attempted 80 ascertain from Davis in
charge oF the treaty. whether there would
he any early attempt - secure vote
upon IT. The California senator stated
his opinion that there ought 10 he
at least three weeks notice OF a time for
vote Tor the arrangements Of pairs.
lie stated that he would ise compelled TO
h. absent from the senate for the next
three weeks. and expressed a desire 90
know something ~ the plans as "a bring
tnE the discussion to an end
In reply, Davis simply stated that he
could not at present say when the debate
would cease Or when she senate would be
prepared To take a vote.