The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-04-19
MR.. BLOUNI's INSTRUCTIONS.
WHY HE DECLARED THE HAWAIIAN
PRoTECTORATE AT AN END.

WHY HE DECLARED THE HAWAIIAN
PRoTECTORATE AT AN END.
WASHINGTON, April 14.-Startling
news from Honolulu via San Fran
cisco of hauling down of the United
States flag, it is said, was the subject
of an animated discussion at the cabi.
net meeting today. Before going into
the cabinet room Mr.. Gresham said to
a reporter that he had received no in
formation whatever aside fom
that printed in the pa
pers. When questioned fur
ther he said he knew
nothing. There is diplomatic reticence
around the White House concerning
the nature of instructions given Conn
missioner Blount in his mission to
Hawaii, but it is stated, with some
positiveness, that he was given au-
thority for hauling down the Stars
and Stripes at Honolulu prior to his
departure from Washington. 1t is
understood Mr.. Blount was given
definite instructions to withdraw the
protectorate of the United States over
Hawaii in order that his government
might find itself free in dealing with
the main question OF annexation, out
on the day of his departure from San
Francisco he was cautioned to confide
this information to no person what
ever, in order that the motives and
Intentions Of the administration would
not be construed so as to cause trouble
among the Hawaiians.
On the afternoon OF his departure
from Washington for San Francisco
Mr.. BlOunt spent some time at the
white house. The cabinet was in ses-
sion and Mr.. Blount was called in and
discussed with the president and his
official family the matter Of his course
to be pursued in Hawaii. He left tor
San Francisco that night, but the ma
ture of his mission leaked out before
he was thousand miles from Wash
ington and the news was telegraphed
to San Francisco, where Burke, Queen
Liliaukalini's agent, learned il and
started Immediately for Honolulu,
so when BlOunt arrived at his desti-
nation kuowl dge OF his business pre-
ceded him. 1t was not the intention
to keep secret what that business was
with the exception of the fact that the
commissioner had authority to de.
clare the protectorate at an end. This
exception was guarded carefully by
BlOunt for the reason given, it is said,
by the president that if the fact that
the American flag was to be hauled
down became known it might create
trouble and blOodshed and also offer
temptation to foreign nations to step
in aud secure the prize before the
United States could offer adequate
explanation for its course. Mr..
Blount followed his instructions
to the letter. He waited until the ex-
element incident to his arrival had
completely died out and affairs were
in tranquil state before making
known that the prOtectorate was at an
end. He also made it known at the
same time that the United States
would still consider Hawaii and the
I HaWaiians under its guardianship so
far as outside interference was con-
cerned and in this also was shown the
! caution which Cleveland and Secre.
tary Gresham impressed on him to
deprive the announcements of anything
of sensationalism. These are said tC
be the facts in the matter with refer.
anoa tn the i'm struptiOcs Of Mr. PlOunt