There is a clause in the treaty which says that the President can terminate it whenever he wishes to, by giving due notice.
In considering the sugar tariff, it was necessary for the Senators to decide whether Hawaiian sugar should still be admitted free of charge, or should be subject to the same duties as other sugars.
The Senators could not come to any agreement until they knew whether the President meant to end the treaty—abrogate it, as it is called.
Not wishing to delay the Tariff Bill, the President thought the wisest thing to do would be to let the Senate know that he was in favor of annexing Hawaii.
With Hawaii a part of this country, the sugar question would settle itself, and the Tariff Bill could go on undisturbed.
Before the President allowed any word of his intentions to become known, he called a Cabinet meeting and laid the treaty before his ministers.
The majority of the Cabinet approved of the draft of the treaty that was read to them, and it is thought that the Senate will also look favorably on the measure, and that the necessary two-thirds vote will be secured without trouble.
The treaty provides that the United States shall become possessed of all the public lands and buildings, ships, ports, etc., belonging to Hawaii, and shall in return assume Hawaii's debts, which amount to $4,000,000.
This treaty does not provide any pension for the ex-queen, Liliuokalani, nor any gift of money for the Princess Kiaulani.
The treaty proposed in 1893, which was rejected by Mr. Cleveland, provided liberally for both. You can read all about it on page 734 of The Great Round World.