Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1893-12-18
THE PRESIDENT ON HAWAII.

Synopsis
On Saturday, January II, 1898, the
Queen of Hawaii, who had been con-
templating the proclamation of a new
constitution, had, in Difference to the
wishes and remonstrance of her cabi-
net renowned the project for the pres,
ent at least. Taking this rellnqulshedI
purpose as basis of action, citizens OF
Honolulu numbering from fifty to one
hundred, mostly resident aliens, met Ill
private Office and selected so-called
Committee of Safety, composed OF thlr-
teen persons, seven of whom were Tor
eign subjects, and consisted OF live
Americans, one Englisnman and one
German. This committee, though Its
designs were not revealed, had in view
nothing less than annexation to the
United States. On Monday morning
the Queen and her cabinet made pub
lie proclamation that any changes IN
the constitution would be sought only
in the methods provided by that instru-
ment. Nevertheless, at the call and
under the auspices of the Committee OF
Safety, mass meeting of citizens was
held on that day to protest against the
Queens alleged illegal and unlawful
proceedings and purposes. On the same
day, and Immediately after such adjourn
ment, the committee, unwilling to take
further steps without the cooperation
of the United States Minister, address
ed him note representing that the
public safety was menaced aid that
lives and property were in danger, and
concluded as follows: 1--WE are unable
to protect ourselves without aid, and
therefore pray Tor the protection OF the
United States forces" And so it hap
pened that OH the 10th of January,
1898, a detachment of marines from the
United States steamer Boston, with two
pieces of artillery landed ut Honolulu
and the provisional government
was proclaimed by the committee.
The men, upwards of 100 in all, were
supplied with double cartridge belts
filed with ammunition and with haver-
sacks and canteens, and were accompa-
by hospital corps with stretchers and
medical supplies. This military DEM
onstration upon the soil of Honolulu
was itself an act of war, unless made
either with the consent of the Govern
ment of Hawaii or for the bona .fdc
purpose of protecting the imperilled
lives and property of citizens of the
United States.
Our country was in danger of occu-
plying the position of having actually
set up temporary government on
foreign soil for the purpose of acquiring
through that agency territory which we
had wrongfully put in its possession.
The control of both sides of a bargain
acquired. in such manner is called by
familiar and unpleasant name when
found in private transactions. l be-
lieve that candid and thorough en-
animation of the facts will force the
conviction that the provisional govern
! ment YES its existence to an armed III
vasion by the United States. Fair
minded people with the evidence be-
fore them will hardly claim that the
Hawaiian government was overthrow
by the people of the islands or that the
provisional government has ever exist
| ed with their consent. / do not under
stand that any member of this govern
ment claims that the people would up
hold it by their suffrages if they were
allowed to vote on the question.
While naturally sympathizing with
every effort to establish a republican
form of government, it has been The
settled policy of the United States to
concede to people of foreign countries
the same freedom and independence in
the management of their domestic
affairs that we have always claimed for
ourselves and it has been our practice
to recognize revolutionary governments
as soon as it became apparent that they
were supported by the people.
As 1 apprehend the situation, we are
brought face to face with the following
conditions:
The lawful government of Hawaii
was overthrow without the drawing
of sword or the firing of shot by
process every step of which, it may
safely be asserted, is directly traceable
to and dependent for its success upon
the agency Of the United States acting
through its diplomatic and naval repre-
sentatives.
But for the notorious predictions Of
the United States minister for anneXa-
ton, the Committee of Safety, which
should be called the committee of an
nexation, would never have existed.
But for the landing of the United
States forces upon false pretexts re-
speeding the danger to life and proper
ty the committee would never have eX
posed themselves to the pains and pen
alties of treason by undertaking the
subversion of the Queens government.
But for the presence of the United
States forces in the immediate vicinity
and in position to afford all needed pro-
lection and support the committee
would not have proclaimed the prOvi-
sional government from the steps OF
the government building.
And finally, but for the lawless occu-
patton of Honolulu under false pretexts
by the United States forces, and but for
Minister Stevens's recognition of the
provisional government when the
United States forces were its sole sup
port and constituted its only military
strength, the Queen and her govern
ment would never have yielded to the
provisional government, even fora time
and for the sole purpose of submitting
her case to the enlightened justice of
the United States.
Believing, therefore, that the United
States could not, under the circum-
stances disclosed, annex the islands
without justly mourning the imputation
of acquiring them by unjustifiable
methods, shall not again submit the
treaty of annexation to the Senate for