The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-06-12

debate in the house began today. Six
speeches were made, covering generally
the contention of the support and OPP
position to the resolutions providing
for annexation.
Mr.. Hit Qlls.) and Mr.. Dinsmore
(Ark.), the ranking Republican and
Democratic members, respectively, OF
the committetP on foreign affairs.
opened the debate for and against an
neXation. Mr.. Clarke (Dem., MOI spoke
in opposition and Mr.. Walker (Rep.,
MaSS.), Alexander (Rep., n. " and
Gillette (Rep., Mass.), in advocacy of
the proposition. There was a good at
tendance in the galleries, but hardly q
quorum was at any time upon the floor.
The debate will continue Monday,
Tuesday and Wednesday and probably
40 members will make speeches.
Proceedings began with a mutual
withdrawal by Mr. Grosvenor (Rep.,
o. and Mr.. Sampson (Dem., Va Of
uncomplimentary and injurious Ian
guage" used by them relative to each
other in the heat of debate Thursday
night when the revenue conference re-
port was under consideration.
HIT FOR ANNEXATION.
Mr. Hit (Rep., I'D, chairman of the
committee on foreign affairs, then was
recognized to begin the Hawaiian de-
bate advocating annexation. He re-
viewed the provisions OF the Newlands
resolution as being practically identi-
cal with those OF the treaty before the
senate and with the one which was ne
gotiated five years since. Thus, he said,
the question was an old one. and an
neXation met with the approval OF the
Hawaiian republic and there was Moth
ing of constraint suggested by the res
olutions. The only question to be con-
Sidered was whether il would be wise
for this government to take what was
offered. Referring to the strategic i'm
portance of the islands. he said they
constituted a small territory, but new
ertheleSS, 10 great powers kept con-
stantly there their representatives to
protect their interests because of their
peculiar location.
Mr.. Hit quoted many naval author
tiles in asserting the possession Of the
islands was of great Importance, and
pointed out that no fleet would come
from Asiatic waters to operate against
the western coast without touching at
Hawaii for supplies and recoaIing. The
control of the islands would be prac
tically an effectuaI barrier to attack
upon our western interests.
As illustrating the value of the is
lands, ne spoke of the recent victory of
sending achievements to him. This
work of reinforcement could not be
accomplished without the American
ships putting into Hawaii TO recOal.
HAWAIrs LIABILITY.
Referring to the present attitude of
Hawaii. in its open friendship and the
aiding of America, involving the Vio-
lation Of all neutrality laws before the
whole world, Mr.. Hit cOntended that
Spain would have a just and enforca-
BILE claim against the Hawaiian re-
public for all damages done to her by
American forces aided by Hawaii in
violation of neutrality. This country
should not hesitate TO relieve Hawaii
of the prospective burden and TO show
appreciation of the friendship mani
tested by those in control Of the gov
eminent, given in defiance of the en-
tire world and all neutrality laws. In
this connection Mr.. Hit read from
dispatch Of recent date from Minister
Sewell, in which he said:
1.-The strongest influence has been
brought to bear upon the government
to urge it to declare neutrality"
Mr.. Hit paid a tribute TO the char
acters of the Americans who have eS-
tablished a republic in place of a mon
archy in Hawaii, and who now dare
to act independently Of the world in
After reviewing other revolutionary
movements, Mr.. Hit said: They are
the same men who took a worthless
queen, threw her from her throne when
She attempted to disregard property
rights, and ignore the constitution
wrung from her predecessor"
Mr. Hit spoke not quite an hour,
much Of the time being occupied with
interruptions, by members asking
questions
GROUNDS OF OPPOSITION.
Mr.. Dinsmore the ranking Democrat
on the committee on foreign affairs,
opened the debate in opposition. He
declared his belief that no constitu-
resolution, as was proposed, and OPP
posed annexation as being undesira-
BILE It would be- he insisted, the first
step upon a policy of colonial aggres-
sion, in antagOnism to the established
rule of the government, and he added
that the reaching out into foreign
lands and the establishment there of
American institutions would necessi-
tate the abandonment of the Monroe
doctrine. Logic would dictate it and
the world would demand it. America
could not interfere in other lands and
prohibit foreign interference in affairs
of the North and South American con-
tlneLtS-
Mr.. Dinsmore launched into a long
discussion of the illegallity of annexa- |
ton by resolution, reading from many |
legal works to show that no power ex-
listed to thus annex.
A BETTER ROUTE.
Replying to tn Sc who contend that |
Hawaii is = commercial and naval ne /
cessity as a mid-ocean supply station, |
he declared there was already a route |
to Yokohama and Hongkong and to |
Manila and from San Francisco by /
way of the Aleutian islands, American
possessions, 500 miles shorter than the /
route. The Aleutian route,
said he is open the entire year, and |
the coolest weather on record at the
Aleutians was degrees above zero.
He argued that hostile ships, with the
aid of golfers, could operate against
The western coast. The holding of Ha-
wall would necessitate the keeping of
!, powerful naval force there and would
not relieve in any sense the necessity
for keeping a great force at the sea
ports of the western coast. Speaking J.
IF the argument that Hawaii would be
essential to the control of the Nicara-
qua canal, Mr.. Dinsmore said San
Francisco was 1000 miles nearer the
proposed mouth of the canal than Ha-
vail.
Mr.. Dinsmore argued that annexation