The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1898-06-13
FOR HAWAII.
The Struggle Has Commenced in the
House.

A4ousos
Washington, June 1.-THE session of
the House today was devoted to debate
upon the Hawaiian resolutions. Pro-
ceeding began with mutual withdrawal
by Mr.. Grosvenor of Ohio and Mr..
Swanson, Democrat of Virginia, of I'M
complimentary and injurious language, !"
issued by them relative to each other In
the heat of debate Thursday night when
the revenue conference report was under
consideration. There was good atten-
dance in the galleries, but hardly a
quorum was at any time upon the floor.
The debate will continue Monday. Tues
day and Wednesday, and probably 40 mem
| bers will maks speeches.
THE DEBATE BEGUN.
Mr., HIT, Republican of Illinois, chair
man of the committee on foreign affairs
was recognized to begin the hawaiian
The only question to be considered
was, he said, whether it would be wise
| for this government to take what was
offered. Referring to the strategic i'm
portance of the islands he said they CON-
stituted a small territory, but neverthe-
| less 10 great powers Kept constantly there
their representatives to watch their inter-
| ests because of their peculiar location.
Mr. Hit quoted many naval authorities
| in assertions that possession of the ISL
ands was of great Importance and point
| ed out that no fleet could come from
| Asiatic waters to operate against tho
wall for supplies and recoaling. The con-
troll of the islands would be practically
an effectual barrier to attack upon our
western interests.
Illustrating the value of the islands,
the recent victory of Admiral Dewey and
the necessity of sending reinforcements
to him was reviewed.
wall in its open friendship and the aid
ing Of America. involving the violation
of all neutrality laws before the whole
world, Mr.. Hit commended that Spain
would have Just and enforceable claim
against the Hawaiian Republic for all
damages done to her by American forces
aided by Hawaiin violation Of neutrali-
ty. This country should not hesitate to
relieve Hawaii of the prospective burden.
Mr.. Hit read from dispatch from Min
lister Sewall in which he said: 1.-The
strongest influence has been brought to
bear upon the government to urge.lt to
declare neutrality"
MIR. Dinslnore argued that annexation
would mean foreign entanglement. He
pTOb6St6u dR8luSu uu0 SuSAObUOSA ALLY III
American alliance as being something
much to be desired by England, but to
be avoided by the United States Pro-
testing finally against taking the islands,
he said: "If we take them, God help
u.s."
Mr.. Gillett, Republican of Massachu-
setts, in support Of annexation, declared
conditions had greatly changed since the
days of Washington when the policy OF
the new country was reasonably against
territorial expansion. Then, he said, 1t
was farther from Massachusetts to Penn
sylvania than from New York to Europe.
| He argued for Hawaii as q military and
naval necessity, controlling point OF
trade and naval operations in the Pacific,
York, said the victory of Dewey made the
annexation Of Hawaii a present necessity.
A WESTERNER'S JOKE.
Mr.. Clark, Democrat of Missouri. op-
posing the resolutions. spoke against an
enlarged colonization policy as some.
thing gorgeous in appearance, but fatal
He said Gen. Schofleld had testified be-
fore the committee on foreign affairs
that Pearl harbor was the only harbor
n Hawaii that could be fortified and
"that," declared Mr.. Clark, sis under
control of this country and from mill
tary standpoint we need no more"
He declared the population of the ISL
ands were undesirable and their entry as
an element in our citizenship was likely
to bring injury to the social and govern
mental establishments OF this country.
He said that the proposed annexation Of
Hawaii would be the entering wedge to
policy that would not end until the
gone to the extent of including the earth.
"Mr. Speaker" he declared, eff this
policy is pursued as the jingoes want it
and you are here presiding over the House
90 years hence, you will be called upon
to recognize the gentlemen from Pata.
gonia, the gentlemen from Cuba, the
gentlemen from Porto Rico, the gentle.
| Hong Kong, the gentlemen from Fiji,
and with fear and trembling, the gentle
| men from the Cannibal islands as he
gazes with cleaning eyes and glistening
teeth upon your imposing and tempting
SELF"
A great laugh followed this prediction.
! Mr.. Parker, Republican of New Jersey,
porarily a seat upon the floor. The
laughter was renewed when Mr.. Clark
added, SIT is unnecessary to say I pre-
pared that for the regular occupant of
the chair"
Concluding his speech, Mr.. Clark spoke
of the representation of Hawaii in the
House and Senate and the attendant
danger. He attacked further the pro-
position to annex on the ground that the
republic of Hawaii was the result of a
conspiracy upon the part of the sugar
interests in the islands.
He spoke nearly two hours and was Civ
en- close attention. He was applauded
when he entered vigorous protests
against launching upon territorial expan-
sion.
Mr.. Walker, Republican Of Massachu-
setts, spoke for the resolutions. Denying
that annexation would be followed BY
territorial expansion, hessaid Hawaii was
a commercial, military and naval neces-
sity. He digressed briefly to advocate the
construction of the Nicaraguan canal as
one of che great needs OF the United
States and contended that Hawaii would
be essential to complete control of the
canal by America. At the conclusion of
his speech the House at 4. 45 adjourned.
MAINE CEN TRIAL CHANGES.
Bangor, June lie. Fl. Carter, who
I,o1 b1z,> &-oroI-o fraiOht ara,t nf