The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-06-01
HAWlII'S OFFER.
The Gift Of a Country, 1t Has Never
Been ParalleIed.
EX-MINISTER STEVENS TALKS OF
AFFAIRS IN HONOLULU.

The Landing of the Boston's Men De-
manded Alike by the Rules of the Ser
vice and the Necessities of tho Hour
The American Blue Jackets Behaved
well-Reports That They Aided Either
Side Are Falsehoods
SAN FRANCISCO, May 31.-Hon. John
l.. Stevens, ex-minister of the United
States to the Hawaiian Islands, has ar
rived here on his way to his home in
Augusta, Me. Mr.. Stevens makes a
statement reviewing the progress of
affairs in Honolulu which led to the rev.
olution and the establishment of the
Under the diplomatic and naval rules,
which were and are imperative, the Unit
ed States minister and naval commander
would have shamefully ignored their
duty had they not landed the men Of the
Boston for the security of American life
and property and the maintenance Of
public order, even had the committee of
public safety not requested us to do 80.
AS American representatives 5000 miles
AAOA Jul SOVoIuAuout, we CUuiu uOt nave
escaped our responsibilities, even had
we desired to do SO. Fortunately the
commander of the Boston and those un-
der his command had no desire to shirk
their duty. They appreciated the obii-
cations of American patriotism and the
honor of the American navy. The allure
ments of a semi-barbaric court and pal
ace had not blinded their eyes 70 the
condition of things In Honolulus On
shore in perfect order, they stepped not
an inch from the line of duty. They
never lifted finger in aid of the fallen
monarchy or the rising Provisional gov.
ernment. The former sought their aid,
but neither party had the least assist
those under his command. All asser-
tions to the contrary, by whomsoever ut
tered, are audacious falsehoods without
a semblance of truth. The conduct of
the United States officers and men in
their seventy-five days on shore in Homo
lulu is to the credit of their intelligence,
their patriotism and their self-control--
an honor to the American navy. With
out the loss of single life, this remark
able revolution in the Hawaiian Islands
was accomplished. They have today the
best government those islands ever had.
That government is now much
StToHSSI tudu IN Iuo days Wnen IL
sprang into life. 1t is supported by all
the best citizens, and by seven-eighths
of the property of the country. Both
the provisional government and those
supporting it strongly desire Hawaii to
become a part of the Great Republic. i
Their American sympathies are loyal to
the core. Those who fought at Bunker
Hill, and wrote their names in large let
ters in Independence Hall, were not
more thoroughly American than those
who have sent their commissioners to
Washington to negotiate the terms of
annexation. Men of our blood, familiar
with our history, united to us by COM
mon interest, hopeful of Americas great
future, they ask that the American flag,
the American constitution and the
American laws may shelter and protect
them. Without the expenditure of
single American life, or adollar of Amer,
lean gold, they offer the rich prize. this
splendid possession of the Pacific, to the
American government, in trust foFthe
American people. Never was such
prize before offered as q gift to great
nation.