The record-union., 1898-01-13
Senator Davis Concludes His Speech in
Favor of Annexation.
Asserts That the Nation Which
Controls the Islands Will Con-
troll the Nicaragua Canal, and
That the Nation Possessing
Pearl Harbor Will Hold the
Key to the Military Situation
in the North Pacific.

WASHINGTON, Jan. Ex-senator
Davis continued and completed his
speech in the executive session of the
Senate to-day on the Hawaiian ques-
ton, and was followed by Senator AL
len of Nebraska, who spoke in opposi-
ton
Davis requested in the beginning that
no questions be asked during the pre-
sentation Of his argument, as he pre-
ferred, he said, not to have the CONT
nuity of his thoughts broken.
The speech to-day was devoted large
ly to a presentation Of the strategic
features of annexation. He displayed
chart in front of the Presiding Off
GERS platform showing the location of
Hawaii relative to this country and to
Asia
One of the points brought out with
considerable elaboration was the prob
able effect on the Nicaragua canal Of
the occupation Of the islands by some
foreign power. He illustrated by a ref
erence to the map, showing that Ha-
wall was in a straight line between the
western terminus of the canal and ia
pan and China. The nation, he said,
which controls Hawaii will control that
great gateway of commerce. The guns
planted on Hawaii would be pointed
directly at the mouth of the canal.
He also devoted careful attention TO
the Importance Of controlling Pearl
Harbor, now owned by the United
States, saying that the nation which
maintained possession of this harbor
would hold the key TO the military sit
uation in the North Pacific. He read
extracts from reports by engineers and
others in confirma ton of this statement
and in support of statement which he
made as to the character of the har-
Dor, which was that it was safe and
commodious and could be easily de-
Tended
ealsopresented the necessity for con-
trolling Hawaii as a base of supplies in
case of hostilities, saying that it was
almost necessary to control it for this
reason. on account of the impossbiiity
of a warship crossing the Pacific with
out replenishfng her coal supply.
Davis ridiculed the objection made
by Japan that the addition OF Hawaii
as United States territory would work
a violation of Japan's treaty rights in
the island. He said, in reply to this
objection, that all rights would doubt
less be protected, and instanced the
creation of the German Empire, as
showing the effect of annexation upon
the treaties of various countries which
enter into a consolida ton He referred
to Japan's protest as an indication of a
natural tendency to rapacity, and said
that the Government of that country
should have been satisfied with the ter
ritoTy wrested from China, instead of
wanting to gorge herself by the addf-
ton of Hawaii
Davis called attention to the appar-
ent cordial relations existing between
Japan and China, as manifested by ia
pans offer to lend her fleet to the Eng
lish in their operations in Chinese wa
ters. where he said. the greatest naval
demonstration of history was about
to be made. He did not indicate belief
that immediate war would be the re-
suit of European competition over Chi
nese territory. On the contrary, he
called attention TO the fact that the
flags of Great Britain, France, Germa-
ny and Russia were floating side by side
in the Oriental waters. neither power
being apparently anxious 10 disturb the
other, so long as there was a prospect
of each power getting as much as the
others were taking.
The only way in which the United
States could protect themselves against
this division of territory would be to
control the Hawaiian Islands. In case
we should fail TO do this. there was
danger of losing very important trade
advantages which We're rapidly devel-
oping in the far East. He referred
to the Improvement of the commercial
outlook between the United States and
China. and instanced the fact that one
Minnesota firm had exported a half
million dollars worth of -four to thai
country.
The last half hour of Senator Davis
speech was devoted to a recapitula-
ton of the subject. in which he dwell
at considerable length and portrayed
in strong language the origin and close
of great wars, which was intended Il
illustrate the probable ultimate result
of present operations in Chinese waters
When Senator Davis took his seat he
was congratulated by almost every