The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-04-15
GARTER IS CONTENTED.
Hawaii's Commissioner Discusses
Mr.. Blount's Action.
BOT A BLOW AT ANNEXATION.

Mr.. Carter Still of the Opinion That Po-
Iitical Union Is Inevitable-Our Repre-
sentative's Attitude Criticized by Friends
( and Foes.
WASHINGTON, April 15.--Up to the hour
Of closing the department of state yester-
day no information had been received re-
garding the action of Commissioner Blount
IN ordering the United States flag removed
from the government buildings in Homo
tulu. This, at least, was understood to be
the case, but 1t was noted that the cable
officers Of the navy department who usually
handle the state departments cipher dis
patches were very busily engaged.
In the course of the afternoon Mr.. Car
Ter, the annexation commissioner from
Hawaii, had an interview with Secretary
Gresham, which he said was quite salts
factory" He reiterated his statement that
che removal Of the flag was due to the
condition Of affairs in Honolulu, which no
longer warranted its floating over the gov
eminent buildings. 1.-The provincial gov
srnment can and ought to sustain ITSELF"
he said. II am not at all discouraged
over the situation and believe we shall
come out right In the end do not think
It means reversal of the policy of the
government as expressed by the late ad-
ministration Secretary Fosters attitude
twas satisfactory to the annexationists, and
he promptly disavowed the protectorate
! What we all regret is that events have
made it necessary to pursue that course.
We had hopes when 1t once was hoisted
that annexation would be accomplished
and that it might never again be hauled
down"
That this Is Mr.. Carter's sincere belief is
borne out by the fact that he is arranging
% make a tour of the south to investigate
che subject of negro labor and the proba-
bilities Of securing supply from that
pection Of the country for Hawaii. He
says in explanation of this trip that the
knowledge is necessary to his government
and to the people Of the islands, for If an
nexation with the United States is con-
snmmated the present contract system, by
which Chinese and Japanese laborers for
the sugar and rice plantations of Hawaii
are secured, must be abandoned, and
southern negro labor will be the most
available substitute.
The news was received here with regret
and dissatisfaction by almost everybody
Ontside Of official circles and the few ultra
opponents of annexation. Mr.. Blount's
opponents say he is a narrow minded poll
fician who was conspicuous in congress
for his opposition to all progressive ideas
FOR the development of the commercial in
kerests Of the union, and was to be found
among the non-progressive class on all
public questions. Long before he was
pslected to be commissioner to Hawaii he
had emphatically declared his opposition
10 annexation and criticized the action OF
Minister Stevens.
On the other hand, 1t is held by leading
Democrats that Commissioner Blount has
Rrobably carried out his instructions in
ordering the United States flag to be
bauled down and the flag of the Hawaiian
monarchy to be run to the mast head.
This, they say, is what Minister Stevens
nhould have done Immediately after his
action in assuming an American protector
sts was repudiated by the United States
government The flag being an emblem
ef sovereignty, our flag should not have
teen permitted to float over the govern.
Ment buildings at Honolulu one moment
after United States sovereignty over the
&lands was dis claimed.
The provisional government Is now left
IN entire and independent control, and the
future relations of the two countries are
tsft to deliberate and intelligent negotia
tion.