The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1893-11-17
WASHINGTON LETTER.
THE HAWAIIAN QUESTION,
SECRETARY GREsHAM's REPORT.
The Presidents Annual Message.
From our Regular correspondent
WASHINGTON, Nov. I3, 1893

the President showing that great in
justice was done to the native Hawaiian
government by the action of the U. 5.
Minister to that government under the
last administration, in practically com
pelling the Queen by display of ma
rlnes from the u. S. S. Boston to all
dicate in favor of the Provisional gov
eminent which was formed, it is be-
lleved largely if not entirely by the adj
vice and connivance of that minister,
for the purpose of carrying out the
scheme of the annexation of Hawaii,
which played such conspicuous part
during the closing days of the Harrison
administration, has for time relegated
the financial and tariff questions to
back seats, apd everybody is discussing
the Hawaiian matter.
The report concludes with the re-
commendation, which was approved by
the President and the members of the
cabinet, that the wrong should be
righted as far as lay in the power of
this government by restoring the native
government of Hawai- to the position
it occupied before the Queen was
forced by u. S. Minister, not by the
Provisional government, to abdicate.
This was bold and fearless step for
the President to take, but believing it
to be right he took it and issued the
necessary orders to Minister Willis,
who barring accidents arrived at Homo
lulu more than a week ago, to carry 1t
into effect, although he knew full well
that it would at first be unpopular,
particularly with those who would only
look at the surface of the question and
regard it merely as the use of the
power OF the United States to over
throw an alleged republic and set upon
its feet a deposed monarchy. But those
who know the President were not sur.
prised that he should prefer being
right to being popular he has been do
ing that sort of thing ever since he has
been in public life.
| There are not many democratic
Senators and Representatives in Wash.
ington; but some OF those here who
were at first disposed to criticise the
action of the President have already
changed their minds, and it is believed
that when the next news arrives from
Hawaii they will all be disposed to ac-
knowledge that the administration took
the only right and proper course. If,
as the administration believes, the pro
vsional government only existed be-
cause the native Hawaiians believed 1t
to have been created and supported by
the power of the United States, it
would at once cease to exist as soon as
Minister Willis officially announced the
contrary, as he doubtless did as soon
as he arrived at Honolulu. 1t the
Queen should then be unable to main
tain herself in power that will be her
own affair, as neither she nor those
who might attempt 20 overthrow hel
government would receive aid from
the United States. In other words
the action of the United States /.
merely intended TO allow the Hawai-
ians to govern themselves in any way
they may see fit without any outside
interference, and as the first step to-
wards chat end it was necessary thai
things should be restored to the same
condition in which they were wher
Minister Stevens interfered to over
throw tine old government. The
question of monarchy or re
public had nothing whatever to dc
with it, nor was sentiment allowed t(
intrude. 1t was only question o
right and wrong, and the administra
ton, acting upon the information
by Mr.. Blount during hi
long stay and investigation in Hawaii
has only done what it believes to b'
right, and what it believes the Amer
ican people, regardless of politics, vii
in the end endorse. The power of tn
, United States is too great to be ex
, ercised to the detriment of its weake
neighbors, and the sense of fair play
too prevalent in the United States 70
) the people to wish wrong perpetuate'
, because 1t was done by Unlte'
5 States official.
; President Cleveland is devotin
nearly all his time to writing his an
. nual message to Congress, and in OF
der to work without interruption h
will only come to the White House o
cabinet days until it is completed
There will be some surprises in tn
message for those who think that tn
;, results of the recent state elections wi
i have any effect upon the President
n policy.
Assistant Secretary Curtis will &C
a as Secretary OF the Treasury until Sec
retary Carlisle completes his annua
report, to the preparation of which h
r is now devotng his entire time.
The annual report of First Assistan
Post Master General Jones recon-
mends that the experimental free dc