The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-04-18

THE FLAG INCIDENT.

In the heat Of their opposition to
Cleveland's administration various news
papers are INDUCING in a great deal OF
silly twaddle over the hauling down Of
the American flag on tho Hawaiian
islands. Tho following excerpt from the
Minneapolis Journal is a fine sample:
1.-THE American flag isn't used to such
t~rsatmont. II 10 an unusual proceeding.
After the governments unfurls tho stars and
stripes to the breeze over any locality the
starry banner should stay there with all
the security II has flying from the stan OF
one of OR school houses"
But the fact is that our government
never unfurled the stars and stripes
on the islands. That work was done by
Minister Stevens without orders, and in
the opinion Of the best posted students
of international affairs it was an mex
cusable violation OF the laws be-
tween nations. The most prominent
fact developed thus far is the determin-
alton OF sugar planters to annex the
islands with smother government and
without much show of regard for
methods. BY virtue Of power they
seized government buildings, deposed
the queen and established a protector
ate government of their OWE. For the
elimination of this work they relied
upon individual influences with our gov
eminent and the strength Of nnexa
tion sentiment in this country. While
their proclamation set forth much dis
satisfaction over affairs as administered
by the Hawaiian government, there
seems to have been no evidence OF out
RACES committed, indignities inflicted or
seizures OF property. There is, on the
other hand, any amount of evidence that
from it's inception it was a conspiracy to
increase the value Of sugar holdings at
the cost Of justice to q country that has
existed many years under an inherited
form Of government.
The policy of President Cleveland's
administration in dealing with this
question seems to us eminently fair.
In the beginning it recognizes the fact
that the Hawaiian government should
be treated with the same spirit of JUS
tice accorded to other governments. In
like manner it recognizes the fact that
the native Hawaiians are entitled to the
fullest consideration 80 long as they
maintain the autonomy of their govern
ment. And it is further evident that
the present administration does not pro-
pose to interfere without cause.
The selection of Commissioner Blount
to study the situation was very wise
For many years he was one OF the trust.
ed leaders in congress and the confidence
reposed in his judgment is we'll showr
by the extraordinary powers given tc
him on this mission. His action in or
dering down the American flag must be
taken as evidence of Minister Stevens
violation of right in raising 1t and there
are reasons to expect that before hi:
work is finished the queen will DO re
stored to her throne.
The annexation of these islands to oul
own government may or may not bt
deemed advisable, but in any event i
must come through right methods. 1
must be a voluntary act on the part O
the Hawaiian government, arranged
through treaty. Nothing could %justif.
seizure. The American flag is the EN-
blem Of fairness and justice; it signitie
victory over oppression and maintenance
of the rights Of individuals and whel
hauled down in this cause new lustre i
added to its colors. If hauled up agail
in the Hawaiian islands the flag mus
still carry the Same meaning.