Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1899-12-02
Many Questions
Before Congress


eminent of the colonies in the West
Indies and in the Pacific, the ratifica-
ton of the Samoan treaty, the Alaskan
boundary agreement, new treaty with
Spain, the question of antitrust legis-
lation, the shipping subsidy bill and
lie Nlcararua canal bill are among the
no7. .laf,ant measures. Expressions
q lI.. @.st.al Ulllyiais Gld party
leaders, o,ri 80 /, ~ CO.. ervative
aUuon ia regard TO all OF our new pos
sessions. AS TO the Philippines, much
will depend upon the recommendation
of the President, passed upon the full
report of the Philippine Commission.
The duration of the war with the in
surgents will also be important in has
tening or delaying action.
President Mckinley will recommend
that the inhabitants of the islands be
given the utmost liberty of local or trl-
bal self-government of which they are
capable under the sovereignty and gem
eral control of the United States, but
neither the Philippine Commission
nor the President has yet worked out
the details of such government Con-
gress will support the President in his
determination to suppress the insur-
rection and maintain American sover-
eighty on the islands. Porto Rico with
out doubt will be given a civil govern
ment, modelled as nearly as the condi-
lions on the island will permit upon
the government of territories within
the United States.
The bill reported in the last Con-
gress for the government of Hawaii
will be pushed through both Houses
as early as possible, as will also spe-
cial bills dealing with the shipping of
the islends and other matters.
Senator Cullom, senior member of
the Republican steering committee in
the Senate, said today:
1--WE are likely to have very inter-
esting session, and look for the enact
ment Of some very important legisla-
ton. OF course foreign affairs will re-
quire careful consideration. We will
be called upon to provide stable gov
ernments in Hawaii and Porto Rico.
Some legislation will be required in
connection with the Philippines and
Cuba.
Just what scope the legislation for
the latter places should take am not
now prepared to say. We probably will
be governed in our action by the re-
Communications the President may
make in his message.
''The very first measure we should
pass is bill for the establishment of
cable communication between Califor-
MIA and Hawaii and then on to Manila.
I do not care who lays the cable, but
propose to insist that immediate steps
shall be taken to establish direct COM
munication with our people in these
far-off islands.
There seems to be some uncertain
ty about the adoption Of any radical
financial legislation on the eve Of a
Presidential election. In my opinion
a conservative financial measure might
get through, but both parties may be @
little shy of taking a position on that
question in a Presidential year. / hat
talk with Senator Allison in Chicago
and later l met Senator Aldrich, boil
members of the Finance Committee.
think they have formed very reason
able bill and will endeavor to have Il
enacted into law.
. "The Nicaragua canal bill should bC
delayed no longer. 1t is a great pity
this canal was not built long ago. A
this very moment there is crying ne
cessity for the existence of the canal
and the longer we delay it the create
the suffering of our commerce and gu
! people located on the Pacific ocean,"
Senator Cockrell, leader of the Demo
= cratic minority in the Senate an,
chairman of its steering committee
9 said:
"Our side of the chamber will be In
fluenced largely by the course our op
ponents take. The Republicans do no
seem able to agree upon any fixed lin
of policy, and they appear to be a
much 1T sea as to the disposition Of tn
Philippine question as is the President
81 would favor immediate passage @
: the Nicaragua canal bill II 1t provide
for its construction and absolute own
ership by the Government. There ar
: other important measures which ough
to be brought forward, but as the Re
u publicans are in control we will hav
: to content ourselves with insisting tina
r due consideration shall be given ever
q proposition of a political nature"