The San Francisco call., 1898-06-12

revenue conference report was under consideration.
 The Senate amendments to the bill organizing the naval hosl ital corps were concurred in. and Hit (R.) of Illinois, chairman of the Committee on Foreign Affairs, then was recog- nized to begin the Hawaiian debate ad- vocating annexation. He reviewed the provisions of the Newlands resolution as being practically identical with those of the treaty before the Senate and those of the one which was negotiated five years since.
 Thus, he said, the question was an old one, and annexation met with the approval of the Hawaiian republic, and there was nothing of constraint sug- gested by the resolutions. The only question to be considered was whether 1t would be wise for this Government to take what was offered.
 Referring to the strategic importance of the islands, he said they constituted a small territory, but nevertheless nineteen great powers kept constantly there their representatives to protect their interests because of their pecu- liar location. Hit quoted many naval authorities in asserting that the pos session of the islands was of great inn portance, and pointed out that no fleet could come from Asiatic waters to ope-
 
 touching at Hawaii for supplies and recoaling. The control Of the islands would be practically an effectual bar rier to attack upon our Western inter ests.
 As Illustrating the value of the isl- ands, Hit spoke of the recent victory of Admiral Dewey and the necessity of sending endorsements to him. This work of re-enforcement could not be accomplished without the American ships putting into Hawaii to recoal.
 Referring to the present attitude of Hawaii in its open friendship and the aiding of America, involving the viola tion of all neutrality laws before the whole world. Hit contended that Spain 1T,ould have a just and enforceable claim against the Hawaiian republic for all damages done to her by Ameri- can forces aided by Hawaii in violation of neutrality. This country should not hesitate to relieve Hawaii of the pros nectfye burden and to show apprecia- ton of the friendship manifested by those in control of the Government, oiven in defiance of the entire world and all neutrality laws. In this con- nection Hit read from dispatch of recent date, from Minister Sewall in which he said: The strongest in- fuence has been brought to bear upon the Government to urge it to declare neutrality"
 Hit paid a tribute to the character of the Americans who have established a republic in place of a monarchy in Ha- waii and who now dare to act inde- pendently of the world in time of the Spanish-American war.
 After reviewing other revolutionary movements Hit said: They are the same men who took worthless Queen and threw her from her throne when she attempted to disregard property rights and ignore the constitution wrung from her predecessor" Hit spoke not quite an hour, much of the time being occupied with interruptions by members asking questions.
 Dinsmore, the ranking Democrat upon the Committee on Foreign Affairs, opened the debate in opposition. He dsrnaared his belief that no constitu- ,b.aat power existed to annex by joint 4ssoiution as was proposed, and op- posed annexation as being undesirable.