The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1898-01-12
HAWAII is CONSIDERED.
A STRONG PEA FOR ANNExATION
FROM sENdTOR DAVIS.
His Familiarity with the subject Secures
the Closest Attention on the Fart oil
Other Members.

WASHINGTON, Jan. n.-Except for a
few minutes given TO controversy, OF
some MINOR pOstOfiicc combinations, the
entire time OF the executive session OF
the Senate to-day was consumed by Sci.aI-
tor Davis, of Minnesota, Ia rep1-i u
Hawaiian annexation.
Mr. Davis IL chairman OF the Senate
Committee on Foreign Relations, and ms
speech was generally accepted as the
stini-Ofiicial utterance Of the majority Vl
the committee. lie spoke Tor about t"v
hours, and when the Senate ADJOURNED h'lu
not finished.
The speech was the first upon the
merits OF the treaty, and on this account
and because of The known fact mat Sena-
tor Davis had made a very careful in'es-
tgation OF the subject. he received lie
undivided attention OF the members oil me
senate. regardless Of individual views As
the speech was delivered behind closed
doors O. verbatim report could not be Sc
cured.
The portion Of the speech delivered to-
day consisted of a review OF the relations
between this country and Hawaii during
the history OF those islands, and was IN
tended 10 show that the United states
had exercised a fostering and protecting
care over them from the beginning, WIN
many evidences OF the intention OF u'u-
Of the American domain.
The question. he continued, is one OF
Importance SO vast that one must VI
necessity approach it with q certain ue-
gree OI timiuty, because ID Was Ht SaiV,
very difficult TO present all the pOlhts
involved as they should properly De- pre-
scented, however much care ana Afternoon
ole lmeht have given to inc subject.
The senator without iuttntr apology,
then launched into the presentation Oi
the subject before the Senate. lie con-
sumtd considerable time 90 general
prcsentmcnt o. the reasons TOT anirAa-
iion. saying that these were .both com
N srcial ana strategic. Referring To the
reasons for controlling the ISLANDS ln the
interest OF tins country. ne called atleh-
uOn TO their location, ana sdld mat any
enc with half AN eye 60 the Importance
g. the trade OF the orient could discern
the fact that they must cut very I'M
p0rtant figure 100 controlling That lraue
for the future.
AS for th~, military importance, said
the Senator. 1T has already become eNI-
cent that Re opening OF the new century,
which is now so near must mark tne
opening Of % new condition of affairs IN
lie referred then briefly TO the opera
tons OF the European Powers IN China,
predicting that the time was not far dis
tant when the great nations of Europe
would If they were not checked control
the entire ASidtic sCabsdrd.
one strong point which NJ Davis dwclt
upon al considerable length was the de-
STABILITY of these islands not only to TINS
country. but TO all the leading powers Of
the world.
we be said. should take the islands
while we have the opportunity. and II We
do not want them. IL will be "a very easy
matter for us 10 get rid OF them on oar
own terms
When senator Davis concluded this por-
ton OF his speech. IT was with the gem
cral understanding that ne would COM
tinue tomorrow. but as he has am album
he will be able TO conclude with one more
cnOrt When he ceased speaking he was
generally congratulated boy his fellow sen
at0rs upon the comprehensive prescatd-
ton of the subject.