The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1893-03-17

Ex-Representative Blount of Georgia
left Washington last night for San Fran
cisco, accompanied by Ellis Mills, conf
dental stenographer of the state depart
ment. 1t is coniidentially stated that he
is bound for Honolulu on secret mis-
sion, an appointment which required no
confirmation by the senate The selec-
ton of Blount for this mission shows
that Cleveland is not satisfied that Ha-
waii should be annexed, but has not
made up his mind to oppose it. Blount
is to make thorough investigation of
the situation and the presidents future
action on the subject will probably be
governed by his report.
AS chairman of the foreign affairs
committee Blount refused to commit him
self on the subject without further in
vestigation. More than year before
the overthrow of the queen delegation
from the Hawaiian legislature came to
this country without public announce
ment, seeking some indication from this
country of what support the revolution
AIRY party might rely on if they should
overthrow the old government and es-
tablish provisional government AS has
been done. The ultimate object, as they
disclosed, was annexation to this cOun-
try, as they did not hope of success in
the permanent establishment of new
government Blount was one of the few
persons with whom they talked, and he
then refused to commit himself to any
plan of the sort. There is no doubt that
since the -ertSrow Of the 'ueen he has
tA1 w .tu- +hr' ~ .ucrr,rnnt
mi iuht hnua ann,.,rauaI tb, r,,.,l,,t,D,,
and might he accused of having taken
government OF the islands with which
we were asked to treat
The question of how the overthrow OF
the government was brought about. and
whether provisional government actually
represents the popular sentiment will
be thoroughly investigated. First of all
the fact will be established that this
government, pending IA ratification of the
treaty giving the right to do so will
not interfere in any way with the affairs
of the island except, if need be. to de-
fend them from foreign encroachment,
the idea being that the government
claiming to represent the Hawaiian peo-
pie must be strong enough to maintain
provisional government against any
other government of the people of
Hawaii themselves that might be or seek
TO be established. But if it is found
that the provisional government is really
the chosen government of the islands.
and is not dependent upon the support
of the United States for its existence,
the proposition of annexation may by ia
vorably regarded and an amended treaty
may he sent to the senate at the next
session. However. aside from other con-
slderations the deeirability of annexing
the islands will be Investigated as Il busi
ness proposition. 1t is said that the ad-
minlstration early received info nation
that was deemed reliable that the over
throw Of Queen Lilioukalani and the rs
Enlistment of provisional government
were the result of plan formulated by
the sugar producing elements Of the
islands, and which was furthcred in San
Francisco. Upon receiving this infor-
matIOn the withdrawal Of the treaty was
determined on. Cipher dispatches went
out from both the state and the navy de-
partments for Honolulu. which will 60
forward on the steamer australia from
san Francisco to-day What these dis
patches contain none of the officials in
either department will say.