The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-06-12
HAWAII N THE HOUSE
Speeches Pro and Con on the
Annexation Debate.
1T WAS STARTED BY HIT
The Strategic Importance Of the Isiands
A Barrier to Attack Upon Our West
ern Interoote-Dinsmore In
Opposition

speeches were made. covering generally
the contention Of the support and oppo-
sition to the resolutions providing for
annexation MI. Hit Of Illinois and Mr..
Dinsmore. ranking republican and dem-
ocratic members respectively OF the
committee on foreign affairs. opened the
debate for and against annexation. Mr..
Clarke. DEM. Mo-. spoke in opposition.
and Mr.. Walker. rep. Mass; Alexander.
rep. N. Y. and Gillett, rep. Mass. in
advocacy Of the proposition. There was
Q good attendance In the galleries, but
hardly q quorum was 1t any time upon
the floor. The debate will continue
Monday. Tuesday and Wednesday and
probably 40 members will make
speeches.
The session Of the house to-day was
devoted to the debate upon the Hawaii
an resolution. The proceedings began
with a mutual Withdrawal by Mr.. Gros-
venor. rep. Ohio. and Mr.. Sampson,
DEM. Va, Of uncomplimentary n 'in-
furious language" used by them rela-
tive to each other in the heal of debate
Thursday night, when the revenue con-
ference report was under consideration.
The senate amendments to h bill
VI taitEifB ~ naNdA iioSPit0i VI % Wtit
concurred in. and Mr.. Hit, rep, Ill.
chairman OF the committee or foreign
affairs, then was recognised to begin
the Hawaiian debate advocating IN
nexation. He reviewed the provisions
OF h Newlands resolution rs being
practically Identical with those of the
treaty before the senate and with the
n which was negotiated lve years
since. Thus. he said. the question was
m ala 1n~ ~~A A~Da~otlD- rat x.,ith
the approval of the Hawaiian rcpub-
lilo and there was nothing In c%onstraint
suggested by the resolutions. The only
question to be considered was whether
IL would be wise for this government to
take what was offered. Referring to
the strategic importance Of the islands.
he said they constituted . small terri
DRY. but nevertheless 10 great lrwers
kept constantly there their representa-
ives to protect their interests Lecause
of their peculiar location. Mr.. Hit
quoted many nava authorities. assert
ing the possession OF the islands va of
great Importance, and pointed nj that
no feet would come from Asiatic wat
ers to operate against the western
coast without touching at Hawaii for
supplies and r~ecoaling. The control Of
the islands would be practically an ef-
fectual barrier to attack upon our
western interests.
Referring to the present attitude of
Hawaii In its open friendship and aid
ing OF America, involving the violation
of all neutrality laws before the whole
world, Mr.. Hit contended that Spain
would have a just and enforcible claim
against the Hawaiian republic for all
damages done to her by American
forces aided by Hawaii In violation Of
neutrality. This country should not
a. --Is.xKA Ina ~ tho nrN
spective burden and to show appreci-
alton of the friendship manifested by
those in control of the government
given In defiance of the entire world
and all neutrality laws. In this on-
nection Mr.. Hit read from a dispatch
of recent date from Minister Sewell, in
which he said: The strongest infiu-
ence has been brought to bear upon the
government to urge 1t to declare neu-
trality."
Mr.. Hit paid a tribute to the char
acters Of the Americans who nave es-
tablished a republic in place of a mon
archy In Hawaii, and who now dare to
act independently of the world In time
OF the Spanish-American war. After
reviewing other revolutionary move
ments, Mr.. Hit said: They are the
same men who too a worthless queer
and threw her from her throne when
M dlttlIIpttu "
rights and ignore h constitution
wrung from her predecessor" Mr..
Hit spoke not quite an hour much OF
the time being occupied with Interrupt
lions. by members asking questions.
Mr.. Dinsmors. the ranking democrat
on the committee on foreign affairs,
opened the debate In opposition. He
declared his belief that no constitutional
power existed to annex by Joint resolu-
ton, as was proposed. and opposed an
~nexation as being undesirable. II would
be. he insisted. the first step upon q
policy Of colonial aggression, In antag-
onlsm to the established rule Of the
government, and he added that the
reaching out into foreign lands and the
establishment thereof Of American In
stitutions would necessitate h aban-
donment OF the Monroe doctrine. Logic
would dictate II n the world would
demand 1t. America could not inter-
fere in other lands n prohibit for
eign interference In Affairs OF the North
and South American continents.
MIR. Dinsmors launched into a long
discussion of the illegality Of annexation
by resolution. reading from many legal
works to show that no power existed
to thu annex. Replying to those who
contend that Hawaii il a commercial
and naval necessity as an ocean supply
station. he declared there was already
a route to Yokohama and Hong Kong
and to Manila and from San Francisco
by way Of the Aleutian islands. Ameri-
can possessions. 500 miles shorter than
the Hawaiian route. The Aleutian
route said he. In open the entire year
and the coolest weather on record at
the Aleutians was seven degrees above
zero. He argued that hostile ships with
the aid of GOLFERS could operate against
the western coast. The holding of Ha-
matt u.ovld nacaSsifate the Eaeniug IF a