The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-12
THE MINNESOTA SENATOR OPENS
THE DEBATE ON THE ANNEX
ALTON TREATY.
HIS VIEWS SEMI-OFFICIAL.
STAND OF A MAJORITY OF THE
COMMITTEE VOICED BY
CHAIRMAN.
ARGUMENT NOT YET COMPLETED.
Available, as 1t Was Behind
Closed Doors.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 11-Except for
a few minutes given to a controversy
over some minor postoff1ce confrma-
tons, the entire time of the executive
session Of the senate today was con-
sumed by Senator Davis, of Minnesota,
in a. speech in support of Hawaiian
annexation. Mr.. Davis is chairman Of
the senate committee on foreign rela-
lions, and his speech was generally ac-
cepted as the semi official utterance Of
the majority Of the committee. He
spoke about two hours, and. when the
senate adjourned, he had not finished.
The speech was the first on the merits
Of the treaty, and on this account and
because Of the known fact that Senator
Davis had made a very careful inves-
tigation Of the subject, he received the
undivided attention of the members of
the senate regardless Of individual
views.
AS the speech was delivered behind
closed doors, verbatim report could
not be secured. The portion of the
speech delivered today consisted of a
review of the relations between this
country and Hawaii during the history
Of these islands. and was intended to
show that the United States had ex-
ercised fostering and protecting care
over them from the beginning with
many evidences of the intention to
ultimately making them an integral
portion Of the American domain.
II approach this question" the SEN
ator began, with, hope, a due sense
Of the responsibility imposed upon me
in beginning a debate the result of
which may be of momentous conse-
quence to the future welfare Of both
| this country and the Hawaiian islands,"
| The question, he continued, was one
| of Importance so vast that one must
| necessarily approach it with a certain
| degree Of timidity, because 1t was, he
| said, very difficult to present all the
points involved as they should properly
be presented, however much care and
attention one might have given to the
! subject. The senator, without further
| apology, then launched into the pre-
sentation of the subject before the SEN
| ate. He consumed considerable time
in a general presentation Of the rea-
sons for annexation, saying that these
were both commercial and strategic.
Referring to the commercial relations
for controlling the islands in the In
| terest of this country, he called at
| tention to their location. midway in
| the Pacific ocean, and said that any
| one with half an eye to the Importance
| Of the trade Of the Orient could dis
| Germ the fact that they must cut very
| important figure in controlling that
| trade for the future.
| ''As for their military Importance"
| said the senator, ut has already be-
| come evident that the opening of the
new century, which is now so near,
must mark the opening of a new con-
dition Of affairs in the far East"
Taking up the question of the relation
ship between Hawaii and the United States,
| Senator Davis presented a very thorough
review of the efforts which had been made
| scented quotations from many eminent states
| men Of former times to show, as he said
| that the best American thought had always
favored this policy.
Indeed" he continued, Gin view of all
the aspects which the case presents. the
| United States cannot afford, either in its own
| peop!e, to allow this opportunity to gain con-
| troll Of them to pass. Suppose we should not
ratify the present treaty could we, con-
prevent other nations from assuming the
control which we decline to take?"
In case" asked Senator Gray. also a
member Of the committee on foreign rela-
tons, the islands should be annexed is 1t
the policy to have them admitted as state
Of the Union. with their present mixed pop
u,ation?"
such I do not believe to be the purpose
Of any one" replied Senator Davis II my
self freely admit that the population Of Ha-
wait is not such at the present time as
would be desirable in an American state, and
for myself 1 may say that | consider the
character of the population to be one Of
the objections to annexation But the ad-
vantage so far outweighs this one element
as to render it OF comparative insign:fcance"
When Senator Davis concluded this portion
of his speech it was the general understand
ing that he would continue tomorrow, but
as he has an abundance of material, 1t is
doubtful whether he will be able to conclude
with one more effort. When he ceased speak
ing he was generally congratulated by his
fellow senators upon his comprehensive pres
entation OF the subject.
In the open session of the senate Mr. Fair
banks delivered a set speech on the immi-
| grafton bill.