Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1893-12-28

Hawaii has reached the parting of the WAYS.
Asia or the other which outlets her in Amer
lea. gives her an American civilization and
binds her to the care of American destiny"
to me absolutely necessary to be followed,
either bold and vigorous measures for annexa-
ton or customs union, and ocean cable from
perpetually coded to the United States with
an implied but rot expressly stipulated Amer
Ian protectorate over the islands. 1 believe
the former to be the better. that which will
prove the more advantageous to the islands
and the cheapest and least embarrassing in
wise for the United States through Secre-
tary Marcy, thirty-eight years ago, to offer
annexation, it certainly can not be chimerical
or unwise to expend $4,000 to secure annexa-
ton in the near future. To-day the United
states has five times the wealth she possessed
in 1854. and reasons now existing for annexa-
ton are much stronger than they were then.
can not refrain from expressing the opinion
with emphasis. that the golden hour is near at
hand"
These declarations certainly show q DISPOSE
ton and condition of mind which may be use
fully recalled when interpreting the signif-
canoe of the minister's concerted acts, or when
considering the probabilities of such conduct
on his part as may not be admitted.
In this view it seems proper to also quote a
letter written by the minister to the secretary
of state on March g 1892 nearly a year prior to
the first step taken toward annexation After
stating the possibility that the Axisting gov
eminent OF Hawaii might be overturned by an
venS writes as follows:
Ordinarily in like circumstances the rule
seems to De to limit the landing and movement
OF the United States forces in foreign waters
and dominion exclusively to the protection OF
the United States legation and of the lives and
latlons of the United States to Hawaii are ex-
ceptional, and in former years the United
States officials here took somewhat excep-
t1onal action In circumstances OF disorder.
desire to know how far the present minister
and naval commander may deviate from esta b.
lished international rules and precedents in
CONTINGENCIES indicated in the first part Of this
Dispatch
TO minister of this tie nper, full of zeal for
annexation, there seemed to arise in January,
1893. the precise opportunity for which he was
Watchfully waitlng-an opportunity which by
timely deviation from established international
rules and precedents might be improved to
successfully accomplish the great object in
view; and we are quite prepared for the eXul-
state department dated February l. 1893 he de-
clareS the Hawaiian pear is now fully ripe
to pluck it,
The PRoTECTORATE PROCLAIMED.
AS further illustration of the activity OF the
diplomatic representative attention Is called
to the fact that on the day the above letter was
written. sanable longer to restrain his ardor,
he issued proclamation whereby in the
protection of the Hawaiian islands and de-
clared that said action was taken pending
and subject to negotiations at Washington"
OF course this assumption OF protectorate was
promptly disavowed by our government but the
American flag remained over the government
building ut Honolulu and the forces remained
on guard until April. and after Mr.. Blount'S
arrival. and he knew when both W removed
renewed statement Of the occurrences that
government of Hawaii. in the interests OF an
nexation to the United States, will exhibit the
true complexion of that transaction.
Saturday, January II. 1893. the queen of Ha-
wall. who had been contemplating the procla-
nation OF new constitution. had. in Difference
to the wishes and remonstrances of her cabi-
rSnOuHce0 project present
least. Taking this relinQuished purpose
as s, basis of action elton citizens OF Homo
dred mostly resident aliens met in a
private office and elected q so-called commit
seven of whom were foreign subjects and con-
sisted of five Americans. one Englishman and
one German. This committee though its de-
signs were not revealed. had in view nothing
less than annexation to the United States. and
between Saturday. the 18th, and the following
Monday, the 10th of January. though exactly
munieation with the United States
queen and her cabinet made public procla-
nation with notice which was special
eign governments that any changes in the con
stitution would be sought only in the methods
provided by that instrument. Nevertheless,
at the call and under the auspices Of the COM
mittee of safely. mass-meeting of citizens
was held Oh that day to protest against the
queen aIlegea illegal and unlawful proceed,
committee of safety continued to disguise their
real purpose. and contented themselves with
procuring the passage of a resolution denounc-
ing the queen and empowering the committee
to provide ways and means to secure the per-
manent maintenance of law and order. and the
protection OF life, liberty and property in
Hawaii.
THE APPEAL TO MINISTER STEVENS.
This meeting adjourned between and
and Immediately after such adjournment. the
committee. unwilling to take further steps
without the cooperation of the United States
minister. addressed him note representing
that the public safety was menaced and that
lives and property were In danger and con-
Guided as follows:
I'VE are unable to protect ourselves without
the United states forces"
On the 10th day of January. 1893 between
and o'clock in the afternoon, a detachment of
marines from the United States steamer Bos-
ton with two pieces OF artillery landed at
were supplied with double cartridge-belts filled
with ammunition. This military demonstra-
tion upon the soil OF Honolulu was Of Itself an
act of war. unless made either with the con-
sent of the government Of Hawaii. or
for the bona f 1i.. purpose Of protect;
Citizens Of the United States. But there is no
pretense of any such consent on the part of the
was undisputed and was both the de facto and
the de jure government. There is as little ba-
sis for the pretense that such forces were
landed for the security of American life and
If so they would have been stationed
in the vicinity of such property, and so as to
protect it instead OF at a distance. and SO as to
the Hawaiian government building
and palace.
WHOLLY WITHOUT JUSTIFICATION.
Thus it appears that Hawaii was taken pos
session of 10y the United States forces without
the consent or wish of the government of the
islands or of any body else so far as shown. ex-
cept by the United States minister. Therefore
the military occupation of Honolulu by the
United States on the day mentioned was wholly
without Justification either as an occupation
by consent or as an occupation neceSSitated by
dangers threatening American life and prop
erty.
scene and favorably stationed the committee
of safety proceeded to carry out their original
scheme They met the next morning tues
porary government. Between and = O'Clock
they proceeded to the government building to
proclaim the new government. NO sign OF OPP
position was manifest. and thereupon an Amer
lean citizen read the proclamation from the
steps of the government building almost en-
tirely without auditors. The one controlling fac
Tor in the whole affair was unqueStionably the
United States marines. who. drawn up under
arms and with artillery in readiness only
seventy five yards distant dominated the sit
uation.
The provisional government thus proclaimed
was by the tsrms OF the proclamation: TO
States had been negotiated and agreed upon"
The United States minister, pursuant to prior
agreement. recognized this government within
an hour after the reading of the proclamation.
and before o clock, in answer to an inquiry on
behalf of the queen and her cabinet, announced
that he had done So
NEITHER DE FACTO NOR DE JURE.
When our minister recognized the provi-
stonal government the only basis upon which
it rested was the fact that the committee OF
safety had, in the manner above stated. de-
clared it to exist. It was neither a government
de facto nor de jure. That it was not in such
possession of the government property and
agencies as entitled it to recognition, is con.
cluslvely proved by note found in the files OF
the legation at Honolulu addressed by
the declared head of the provisional
government to Minister. Stevens. dated