New-York tribune., 1899-02-12
HAWAIIANS ARE ANXIOUS.
SITUATION IN THE ISLANDS REGARDED
AS CRITICAL.
AN URGENT NECESSITY FOR LEGISLATION
BY CONGREss-THE PENDING BILL
NOT LIKELY TO PASS AT
THIS SESSION.


fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRBUSEl
Washington. Feb. 11.-Great anxiety respect
ing the prospects OF the bill 10 provide govern
ment for the Territory OF Hawaii Is felt by its
friends and supporters both in and out Of Con-
gress. 1t Is by no means confined TO the men,
btrs Of the Republican party or to men who are
thick-and-thn supporters Of all the provisions
OF the pending bill. but IS shared by most, II
not all. of the minority members OF the House
Committee Territories. we'll as by many
other Democratic REPRESENTATIVES who have
become familiar with the facts and who regard
the condition OF affairs in Hawaii a critical
one. They have been led to believe that IT can
be remedled only by the affirmative action OF
Congress. and while they are strongly opposed to
some Of the provisions OF the pending bill they
would probably oe willing to accept them rather
than have no legislation. AT the least, the
subject is one which they urgently insist ought
to be considered before the expiration OF the
present Congress
Among the calamitios they fear In default OF
proper legislation is general Jail delivery Of all
criminals and alleged criminals who are In
prison in Hawaii awaiting trial. ard substantial
grounds for this fear We're expressed to-day by
friend Of the bill in conversation with a Tribune
correspondent So great Is the anxiety Of Ha
waans sojourning in Washington on this sub
ject that a delegation consisting Of Paul Neu-
mann. Justice Frear William a. Kinney and G.
VI. Robertson visited the White House to-day.
and in an interview OF some length sought 10 i'm
press their views President Mckinley, who
listened attentivey to what they had 70 say,
and they came away feeling somewhat en-
couraged.
The parliamentary situation as TO the Ha-
waian bill in the House OF Representatives can
rot be regarded as favorable II is far down on
the calendar Of the Committee Of the Whole.
with nearly two hundred other bills ahead OF IT,
and the committee that has charge Of IL does not
enjoy the privilege. which appertains to several
others of calling up at any time or out OF the
regular order measures OF which they have
jurisdiction.
1t is not expected that the Committee on
Rules will feel justified so late in the session.
and with the fate Of nearly all the general ap-
propriation bills hanging in the balance, in TAX
ing any special action for the benefit Of the Ha-
waiian bill There has recently been some talk
among friends OF the measure in favor of an
effort to obtain unanimous consent for It's con
siGeration. and they have been led to hope that
il that is tried no objection will come from the
Democratic side The chance Of obtaining unan-
imous consent, however. even for the COnsdera
tion Of the bill must be regarded as slim. in
view Of the near expiration of the LNth Con-
gress
\ motion TO suspend the rules might win. but
there would be no opportunity to make ii, even
II recognition could be obtained for that pur
pose earlier than within six days OF the end Of
the session. because the only other suspension
dav remaining February 2O will be claimed by
other committees than that on Territories.