The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1893-12-22

leaus TO ASIA or the other when outIet-
her in America, gives her an American
civilization and binds her to the care of
American destiny"
He also declared: "One of W. courses
seems to be absolutely necessary to be fol-
lowed, either bold and vigorous measures
for annexation or a customs union, an
ocean cable from the coast to Honolulu,
Pearl harbor perpetually coded to the
United States, with an applied, but not ex-
pressly stipulated American protectorate
over the islands. l believe the for
mer to be the better, that which
will prove much the more advantageous
to the island and the cheapest and least
embarrassing in the end to the United
States. If it was wise for the United
States through Secretary Marcy, 80 years
ago, to offer to expend 800, 900 to secure a
treaty of annexation, it certainly cannot
be chimerical or unwise to expend SlO),O 600
to secure annexation in the near future.
Today the United States has five times the
wealth she possessed in 1854, and reasons
now existing for annexation are much
stronger than they were then. | cannot
refrain from expressing the opinion with
emphasis, that the golden hour is near at
hand"
These Declarations
certainly show a disposition and condition
of mind which may be u~sefully recalled
when interpreting the significance OF the
minister's conceded acts, or when con-
sidering the probabilities of such conduct
on his part, as may not be admitted.
In this view, it seems also proper to
quote a letter waitten by the minister to
the secretary of state OF the Sth day of
March, 1892, nearly a year prior to the first
step taken toward annexation. After stat
ing the possibility that the existing gov
rnmen might be overturned by an
orderly and peaceful revolution, Minister
Stevens writes as follows:
Ordinarily in like circumstances, the
rule seems to be to limit the landing aud
movement of the United States forces in
foreign waters and dominions exclusively
to the protection of the United States lega-
ton, and of the lives and property of
American citizens. But AS the relations
of the United States to Hawaii are OK
ceptional, and in former years the United
States officials here took somewhat ex-
ceptional action in circumstances of dis
order. / desire to know how far the pre-.
sent minister and naval commander may
deviate from established international
rules, and presidents in contingencies in
Dictated in the first part of this Dispatch
10 Il minister Of this temper, full of zeal
for annexation, there seemed to arise in
January, 1893, the precise opportunity for
which he was w~atchfully waiting-an OPP
portunity which by timely deviation from
established international rules and prece
dents might be proved to successfully &C
complish the great object in view; and W.
are quite prepared for the exultant enthu
siasm with which, in a letter to the STATE
, department dated Feb. l, 1893, he declares
"The Hawaiian Rear is now fully ripe anc
this is the golden hour for the United
I States to pluck IT,
l PrOtectorate Declared.
AS a further illustration of the ~activit.
. of this diplomatic representative, attention
is called to the fact that on the day tn
= above letter was written, apparently un
able longer to restrain his ardor, he is sue'
: . proclamation, whereby 'in the name o
. the United States he assumed the protec
ton of the Hawaiian islands, and declared
that said action was taken pending ant
. subject to negotiations at Washington"
The Flag Lowered.
OF course this assumption of II protet
torate was promptly disayowed by on
government. but the American flag IT
manned over the government building a
Honolulu, and the forces remained o
= guard until April, and after Mr.. Blount'
arrival on the scene, when both wei
removed. A brief statement of tn
occurrences that led to the supervision G
' the constitutional government of Hawa
in the interests of annexation to tn
United States will exhibit the I con
a plexion of that transaction.
= On Saturday, January ID, 1893, til
queen of Hawaii, who had been conten
plating the proclamation of y new col
4 stitution, had, in Difference to the wisht
a and remonstrances of her cabinet, r
nounced the project for the present
least. Taking this ~relinquished purpo.
q as a basis of action, citizens Of Honolulu
numbering from so to 100, mostly resideI
aliens, met in a private Office and selscte
q so-called committee of safety, compose
Of 10 persons, seven Of whom were fOreig
subjects, and consisted Of five American
10 n Englishman and n German. Tn
Ii committee, though its designs were n,
revealed, had in view nothing less than al
nexstion to the United States, and b
tween Saturday, the 18th, and the folio,
ing Monday, the 10th Of January-thoue
exactly what action was taken may not
clearly disolosed-they were certainly
communication with the Unit,
States. On Monday morning, Il
queen and her cabinet MAJ
public a proclamation, with notice, whit
was especially served upon the represent
tives of foreign governments; that al
changes in the constitution would
sought only in the methods provided
that instrument. Nevertheless, at the CO
and under the auspices of the commit
of safety, a mass meeting Of safety W
held on that day to protest against Il
queens alleged illegal and unlawful pI
ceedings and purposes. Even at this met
ing, the committee Of safety continued
Disguise their real purpose, and content
Themselves with DrocnrinO tho massage