The record-union., 1898-06-01

va AoIiAANbI YIN, May oil he Seudtc
remained in secret executive session for
three hours to-day. The entire time
was given to a rather free discussion Of
the Hawaiian question, based on mo-
tion declaring it to be the sense of the
Senate that annexation should not be
discussed in open session. At the con-
clusion of the debate the Senate voted
viva voce not to pursue the subject
further except behind closed doors.
Senator Lodge did not press the sub
ject Of his speech after the public was
excluded, but other Senators declared
themselves in favor of prompt action,
the speeches of Messrs. Chandler and
Morgan being the most pronounced in
this direction.
Senator Morgan expressed the opinion
that, under the circumstances, the an
nexation Of the Hawaiian Islands was
as much war measure as any step
that could possibly be taken, and he
thought the Senate should remain in
session long enough to pass all war
measures. He paid his respects to
those who preferred adjournment to re-
naming here, attending to the coun-
trys business.
A large portion of his speech was
III Ttply " DcIdlOl w Hitc, WHO
had antagonized the theory that the
islands We're in any way essential to
our success in the conflict with Spain.
Senator Chandler contended that the
possession of the islands was a military
necessity. He dwelt upon the fact that
Hawaii afforded practically the only
stopping place between our shores and
the Philippines. He mentioned the fact
~ oI
stored at Honolulu, and said that if,
in view Of the existing war, we should
be shown favoritism whatever, the lit
tie republic would be hel dtO strict
accounta ability by other countries.
Other speeches favorable to annexa-
ton were made by Senators Stewart
and Elkins and Senator Allison, acting
Chairman of the Finance Committee
who intimated a willingness TO take UP
the Hawaiian question after the pass
age of the war revenue bill. Let US,
said he, finish this bill, and then, if
necessary, take up the Hawaiian Ques-
ton He made plea against involv-
ing the one subject with the other.
Senators Pettigrew and White were
antagonistic to annexation, and Sena-
tor Hale announced himself favorable
Of the war revenue bill and necessary
appropriation bills.
Pettigrew devoted himself especially
to Senator Chambers declaration that
the acquisition of the islands was a
necessity of war. He contended that
such was not the case, and argued that
Unalaska, a town within our own bor-
ders. was a far more desirable stopping
point for ships bound for the Orient
from San Francisco than Honolulu
could be- He said Honolulu and Una
laska were each about ,, 100 miles from
San Francisco. but that while Homo
lulu was more than 4.9U miles distant
from Manila, Unalaska was only lit
tie over 4 100 miles.
Senator White thought he saw in the
effort to secure Hawaiian annexation
at this time desire to establish pre-
cedent for future proceedings in other
cases. and said the matter should be
postponed until after the war and all
efforts at annexation considered to-
gether He thought that if our princi-
pal objects had been that of securing
coaling station, We should have fortl-
fed Pearl Harbor, but as this had not
been done, it was evident that we must
have other designs.
Senator Lodge said after the cOnclu-
sion of the secret session that he ac-
| complished his purpose in calling at
tention to the necessity for action on
this subject before final adjournment
| and tha. he would not further press the
subject in connection with the war rev.
enua hill