President McKinley sent for me to come
to the White House, as was his not infrequent habit. He said
he wanted to consult me upon the question whether it would
be wise for him to have a personal interview with Senator
Morrill of Vermont. He had been told that Mr. Morrill was
opposed to the Treaty. The President said: "I do not quite
like to try to influence the action of an old gentleman like
Mr. Morrill, so excellent, and of such great experience. It
seems to me that it might be thought presumptuous, if I were
to do so. But it is very important to us to have his vote,
if we can." The President added something implying that he
understood that I was in favor of the Treaty.
I said, "I ought to say, Mr. President, in all candor, that
I feel very doubtful whether I can support it myself." President
McKinley said: "Well, I don't know what I shall do. We cannot
let those Islands go to Japan. Japan has her eye on them.
Her people are crowding in there. I am satisfied they do
not go there voluntarily, as ordinary immigrants, but that
Japan is pressing them in there, in order to get possession
before anybody can interfere.
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