New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-02-09
SENATOR NORGAYs RESOLUTION

The prolonged debate on the Hawaiian treaty
does not seem to have brought about the change
OF votes which some advocates have expected
1t has shown that in private session debate can
be continued almost indefinitely without greatly
enlghtening the public as to the character and
object Of the opposition. Until public opinion
can be enabled to reach the Senators who are
turning the scale, until their objects can be
subjected to public scrutiny and judgment, IT
seems probable that they will continue to pre-
vent action by indefinite delay. The position
of most Of the Senators Is well understood. The
leading opponents Of the treaty have not hest
tated TO mako public their intentions and the
grounds Of their opposition, and II the majority
Of Americans Is not able TO approve them 1t
can at least respect the manly position they
take. SO the purely partisan opposition, which
seems to govern the votes OF most Democratic
Senators. II 1t can neither be approved nor re-
spected is at least understood, and the public
can form It's judgment of n partsanshp which
stands in the way Of public safety and welfare
But there remain a few Senators who apparent
ly turn the scale, or at least delay action, for
reasons which the public is not yet In position
clearly to understand or critclse
The friends Of the treaty are probably wise
be discussed with proprlety in open Senate
where the action of each man Will become
matter Of record. may now be the best mode
Of reaching decision. 1t makes no difference
in this case whether annexation be effected by
treaty or by such n resolution as Senator Nor
gan has offered. If passed by both houses and
approved by the President. the resolution would
be as valid and binding an act OF the United
States Government as any that can be taken
and there IS no foreign Power which shows the
least disposition TO be critical respecting the
mode Of annexation. 1t Is not as If there were
any foreign Power claiming some sort Of juris-
dcton over Hawaii, or pressing claims which
would not be more satisfactorily answered by
the United States than by the Hawaiian Gov
eminent. II any other nation desires to possess
the Hawaiian Islands, treaty obligations long
respected by the European nations stand in the
way so clearly that 1t may with truth be said
that each is bound 10 object to the possession
Of the islands by any other Power except the
United States.
Senator Tellers speech favOrng annexation
seems from current reports to have been re
markably strong and convincing. That the Ha-
waiian Islands Will quickly be- populated by
American citizens and after annexation so oc-
cupied by migration from this country that all
objections based on the present character of
the population would cease to have weight. has
been well appreciated by most people from the
hrst. The settlement OF the islands would carry
with 1t their defence. so that beyond the secure
fertilization Of a coalng and naval station no
other protection would be needed No foreign
Power would attempt, In the face of such n
population, to accomplish the occupation or con.
quest OF the Hawaiian Islands by operations on
land. and the mere maintenance Of q hostile