The times., 1898-06-07
FIGHTING ANNEXATION.
Speaker Reeds Alleged Surrender
Was Only to Gain Time.

Was Only to Gain Time.
The friends of the Hawaiian annexa-
tion were exultant yesterday in the belief
that they were about to get the Newlands
resolution before the House. But their
jubilation was short lived. They had not
fully estimated the power of Speaker
Reeds insidious opposition. He had. os-
tensibly. withdrawn his antagonism to
consideration of the measure. distinctly
declaring at the time, however. that he
was as much opposed as ever to the
policy of annexins Hawaii.
In reply. the Speaker was told that his
right TO oppose the measure on principle
was conceded, but that the House en-
phatlcaliy denied his right to deprive it
of the privilege of voting on that or any
other proposition, particularly when the
measure being urged had the unqualified
support of majority of the Republican
members
The Speaker made but single reserva-
ton in yielding TO the demands of the
majority. He advised" that the Ha-
waiian question be held in reserve until
the final passage of the war revenue bill
was assured. He thought ii would be un-
wise to take up subject on which Re-
publicans were divided in advance of the
passage of the war bill.
The reference of the latter to confer
ence yesterday practically assured its
passage in some shape within reasona-
BILE time. The advocates of annexation
proceeded to arrange for early considera-
tion of the Newlands resolution. They
discovered that they had been anticipated,
so far as today was concerned, by the
bill to enable volunteer soldiers to vote
for congressman. ii having been given
right of way. They then decided TO take
UP the Hawaiian resolution tomorrow,
but when the Speaker was consulted. he
suggested further de.ay. lie said II would
be better to wait until the war revenue
bin was finally out of the way; that he
anticipated a report from the conference
committee within two or three days and
then Hawaii might come up.
The friends of annexation submitted,
and. strange to say. with good grace, on
the part Of some OF them at least. Chair
man Hit, of the Foreign Affairs Com
mittee, admitted to The Times repressn-
tative. LATE yesterday afternoon, that the
latest program was to await the final
passage of the war reyenue bill He said,
/ WIFI CNeeTIul arr
1T will probably be not more than tive
or three days. The conferees are with US
They are our friends and they naturally
want TO participate in the passage of tht
| resolution. We do not want to deprive
them OF that privilege"
But suppose. suggested The Times
man. "the conference drags along oveI
many days What then?'
"Oh, in that case we shall have to takt
| up the Hawaiian resolution without wait
ing for the conferees, replied Mr.. Hit
! He added that annexation could be sup
! ported by much larger number of De
mocrats in the House than was generally
supposed and that the effect of this large
| Democratic vote would be to disintegratt
| the opposition in the Senate
| II was a matter of common gossip al
| the Capitol yesterday that Speaker Reed
had not abandoned the hope of defeating
annexation.
You will see" said a Republican men,
| ber who Is a supposed friend of annexa-
| ton but whose relations with the Speaker
! cast some doubt on his sincerity, that
| there Will be no consideration of TIE
| question pending the final passage of the
| war revenue bill. and with that through
! / would not be surprised TO see a resolu-
| ton rushed through with suddenness
| that will knock the wind out of the Ha-
waiIan sails