The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1898-02-11
NEARLY DEFEATED.


WASHINGTON, Feb. IL
The Hawaiian aunexationists, now
thoroughly dishearteued, are con-
vinced that the treaty will fall
several votes short OF the necessary
sixty. The visit OF President Dele
has not benfitted them, as expected.
They have been wining and dining
him, and have invited those Sena-
tors who were considered doubtful
to meet him at these dinner parties,
but the result is disappointing.
The situation remains the same as it
did two weeks ago. The annexa-
tionists will lack at least FIVE votes
Of the necessary number. Senator
Davis, chairman OF the Committee
on Foreign Relations, consulted
with his henchmen in the Senate
restaurant to-day, aud it was agreed
among them that unless recruits
from unexpected quarters we're Sc
cured the treaty was doomed to de-
feat. The prospects are that the
treaty will soon he abandoned aud
the joint resolution taken up. 1t is
said that several of the Influential
Senators on the Republican side are
endeavoring to persuade Chairman
Davis to drop the treaty and take
up the joint resolution or bill, but
Mr.. Davis we'll realizes that the
abandonment OF the treaty would
be a confession OF weakness and
could not fail to prejudice the
chances for passage OF the joint
resolution.
Indeed, he is we'll aware that
several Senators now counted in
favor of the treaty could not be pre-.
vailed upon to vote for annexation
by the irregular method of bill or
joint resolution. They are sticklers
for Senatorial propriety" and time
honored customs, and cannot be in.
duced to depart from them. The
prospects are that the treaty will be
talked to death unless it is aban.
doned. At least fifteen Senators
opposed to annexation have given
notice OF their intention of making
long speeches against it. Among
them are several long winded SEN
ators like Allen OF Nebraska, who,
in the last Congress, made the long
est speech ever delivered in that
body. The speeches OF White OF
California and Pettigrew Of Dakota
in executive session to-day gave
their brethren an inkling OF what
they may expect. White and Petit
grew have not fairly started yet
and both OF them are we'll equipped
for long siege and well armed with
a vast amount OF information which
they wish to Law before the Senate
"Of course we will not filibuster,'
said Senator White tonight, SOL
that is not legitimate mode oil pro
cedure in a parliamentary body lik,
the Senate of the United States
but" added he significantly, "w'
could discuss the treaty all summer
and then not give any too muci
time to the consideration Of 30 i'm
portant a matter"
On the other hand, the friends o
the treaty, including Senator Davi
; chairman OF the Foreign Relation
Committee, are confident that sixt.
Senators, whose votes are necessar.
for two-thirds majority, will vot
, for ratification. Confidence in tn,
changed condition is found in tn
, determination of the friends O
ratification to press forward tn
treaty to final vote. This feelip
: was shown when the proceedings O
I the Senate on the treaty in executiv
, session to-day were opened. Sen
ator Thurston made a motion 70
y the po,tponement OF further cor
q sideration of the treaty until tn
r first of March. The motion was nc
o discussed at length and was vote
down viva voce.
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