Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1898-01-13
1t is Said the Measure Has Sixty
Votes in the Senate.
INFLUENCE OF THE PRESIDENT
Senators Gear and Thurston Are
Not in Opposition.
MIR. MORRIL'S ATTITUDE

great change of feeling was mani
Tested today about the prospects of the
adoption of the Hawaiian treaty 10y the
Senate. The fact that Senators Thurston
and Gear had withdrawn their active sup
port of the treaty had caused the friends
OF the measure great deal of uneasi-
ness. Today it was learned that both OF
these senators have not placed themselves
in opposition to the measure to a degree
that win make 1t inconsistent for them
to cast their votes in its favor and that
in all probability they will do so.
The opposition of both Senators Thurston
and Gear to the treaty based upon
what they believed to lie the best advan-
tage Of the beet sugar industry. The beet
sugar industry has been worked energet-
ically by the opponents of the treaty in
order to get votes against it, but It is now
declared by the best authorities that II is
the sugar trust, and not the beet sugar in
dustry, that would gain by defeat OF the
treaty.
A Mistaken Idea.
For a long time Secretary Wilson of the
Department of Agriculture was opposed to
the annexation OF Hawaii because he
thought such action would lower the profits
from the beet sugar industry in this coun.
try. and since the subject has been before
study Of the question to ascertain the exact
facts in the case. The result is he has ex-
pressed himself 10 a number OF friends as
being satisfied that no harm can come TO
the beet sugar Industry from the alnexa-
ton of Hawaii.
The fact is not well known that all
land in the Hawaiian Islands adapted for
sugar production has been taken up and
planted, and that the soil has been i'm.
poverished to such extent that expen.
siVe fertilization is necessary to raise q
sugar crop. Not only is this the fact but the
coffee crop there pays SO we'll that that
staple is being raised in prefer ence to the
sugar cane, and the amount of acreage de.
voted to IT is being rapidly increased with
corresponding decrease in the land de.
voted to sugar cane These are important
facts bearing on the question.
The attitude of Secretary Wilson on this
subject will be laid before the Senate today
or very shortly, ana it is expected that his
opinion and the facts that will be given as
coming from him will have great weight
with those who hare allowtd the beet sugar
argument to influence them.
Secretary Wilson Convinced.
Secretary Wilson is known as desiring
the building up of the beet sugar industry
in this country as the favorite scheme OF
his administration and there is a general
feeling of confidence that he would be the
last man to eLprove the annexation Of the
islands If he were not satisfied that IT would
not interfere with his plans In regard to
beet sugar.
With Thurston and Gear in line, and
counting Kenny and Smith as favorable
there would be sixty votes for the treaty.
1t is understood that McLaurin is very apt
to vote for annexation. The fact that Mr..
Morrill, has been a most attentive listener
to speeches favoring annexation since the
Senate has been holding executive sessions
and his remarks made to other senators
are believed by many friends of the treaty
to mean that he is doubtful as to the way
in which his vote will be cast, and that
should it be shown that his vote would de-
termine the question he would likely cast
II in the affirmative.
Only Republican in Opposition.
With Thurston and Gear in favor of the
treaty. If they declare themselves
cording to expectations of many, NJ. Nor
rill would be the only republican in oppo-
sition, and. as stated, his oposition is now
regarded as of a doubtful nature rather
than having a firm conviction against the
wisdom of the treaty.
There are also possibilities of votes fa-
voring the treaty in addition to those in
dicated. Senator Daniels remarked today
that he was still doubtful, though inclined
to vote against annexation. Roach and
Mitchell are also doubtful.
The President is using all the influence
in his power TO make friends for the treaty.
The whole situation IL appears today
is very much more hopeful than ithas been
for several days.