The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1898-02-03
FOR CLOSED SESSION.
Senate Refused to Discusr Hawaiian
Annexation Openly.

Annexation Openly.
Washington, Feb s.-The senate spent
about three quarters OF an hour yester-
day with the doors closed trying TO de-
eide whether Senator Pettgrcw's reso-
lutLons concerning the acquisition uf ter
ritory which 1t would require navy To
defend should be debated In open or ex-
ecutive session. When the vote was
taken, the majority was found TO be
against the propositionf for open sessions.
When Senator White continued his
citation OF authorities to show that the
policy OF this country in the past had
really been against the annexation of the
Hawaiian Islands, he reviewed most of
the documents quoted by Senator Nor
gan as favorable TO annexation of the
islands for the purpose OF showing that
they were all favorable TO Hawaiian in
dependence. but not to Hawaiian an
nexation. Senator White took up the
contention that the control Of Honolulu
was necessary to the defense of the
Nicaragua canal, and asserted that there
was no foundation to support it. giving
figures to show that in case defense of
the canal became necessary by this coun-
tTy IL MOulu Dt QtlCtbQtu lIOIn ellHcT odn
Diego or San Francisco and not from
Honolulu. He said that no enemy could
use Honolulu as base of supplies in
case OF war with The United States, be-
cause the modern war vessel does not
carry enough coal 10 make the round
trip and TO delay for hostile purposes.
He quoted Admiral Belknap. TO the effect
that Honolulu could be fortified effect
ually, and General Schofield TO the effect
that il could not be fortified at all for
land defense, TO show that authorities
differed. He contended that ii one of
the islands should be fortified all three
OF them should be, and that IL would re-
quire an immense navy TO remain there
permanently, while the acquisition Of
this territory would not diminish the ex-
pense for Notifications and maintaining
a navy at home. The senator challenged
anyone TO produce proof Of hostile inten-
tions on the part of England, Japan,
Germany or any other power. and cited
the declaration OF various statesmen
from each country repudiating any de-
sire 10 interfere in any manner with the
United States. "The whole scheme for
the annexation of Hawaii" ne declared.
"is based on sentimentality and sugar"
The sugar people who were netting
$4,000. 900 or $4,000 900 year under the
reciprocity treaty were back Of the an
nexation project with the hope of making
the benefits now derived from reciprocity
perpetual. II 1t was not for this condi-
ton of affairs the treaty would never
have been heard of. and hence he charged
that the patriotism of senators was
hafnU i'm nnSnH N IA N
most disgraceful proposition"
Senator Tillman of South Carolina
entered the debate by making assertions
which created breezy stir for a few
minutes. He referred 10 the Hawaiian
revolution and to what he termed the
effort of the Republican party TO ee-
tablish government in the interest Of
the white people in the islands when they
numbered only about one out Of 80 of the
Inhabitants. and to the reorganization Of
party lines in the south after the war.
1--WE were then" he said. "in South Caro-
lima attempting 10 establish a white
mans government. The Republican
party interfered then or attempted TO
do so. processing 10 hold opinions about
the sacred rights of the majority to rule.
j should like to know whether the Re-
publican party has changed it's opinion
on this subject OF the right of the white
man TO rule. for If il has and will extend
IL TO the southern states Will vote for
this treaty"
The distinguished senator from South
Carolina evidently knows about the ef-
fort TO re-esta blish the white mans party
in the south after the war. and could
doubtless give us much interesting in
formation on that point" said Senator
Chandler
II dc know something about IT," re-
sponded Mr.. Tillman. and know that
there was some cheating and use Of the
shotgun in those times as there probably
was in Hawaii"
The senator from South Carolina
would. hardly think" interrupted SEN
ator Hoar, say in open session what he
has here said"
Il am willing to say il anywhere" said
Mr.. Tillman. Il want the same policy
all along the line. Throw open the doors.
and will say what have said before the
entire world