The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-12-19

snVru OF the hrlng OF shot by process
every step OF which. II may safely be as
serted IA directly aceable to ana dependent
LOT IT'S success upon the agency OF the United
states, acting through its diplomatic aud
naval representatives. But for the notorious
prediction OF the United States minister
ior annexation, the committee of safety,
which should be called the committee OF an
nexstioli, would never have existed.
Hut for the landing Of the United States
forces upon false pretexts respecting the dan
ger to life and property, the committee would
never have exposed themselves to the pains
an penalties of treason y undertaking the
supVerslon OF the queens koVeCnment.
But for the presence of the United States
FORCES IN the immediate vicinity and In posi-
tlon 10 AFFORD all needed projection and sur
port, the committee would not have pro-
claimed the provisional government from the
steps Of the governments building, and I'm
ally, but for the lawless occupation OF homo
lulu under false pretexts by the United States
force, and, but for Minister Stevens reeogni-
tton of the provisional government when the
United states forces were its sole support and
constituted its only military strength the
queen and her government would never have
yielded to the provisional government even
for a time, and for the sole purpose of sub
mitting her case to the enlightened justice of
the United States.
Believing, therefore. that the United States
could not, under the circumstances disclosed,
annex the islands without justly incurring the
lmputatlUn OF acquiring them by uniustihaDle
methods i shall not again sui init the treaty
OF annexation to the Senate for its eonsidera-
ton, and in the instructions TO Minister
Willis copy of which accompanies this
message. have directed him to so inform
the provisional government
RESTORATION A DUTY.
Mr.. Cleveland says here that in his
opinion our duty does not end with refus-
ing to cpnSummaJe this questionable
transaction, but that "a substantial
wrong has thus been done which due re-
gard for our national character, as well
as the rights of the injured people,
requires that we should eudeavor to re-
pair" and that 1.-The United States cannot
properly be put in the position of counte-
nancing wrong after its commission
any more than in that of consen ting to
it in advance. On that ground, it cannot
allow itself to refuse to redress an injury
inflicted through an abuse of power by
officers clothed with its authority and
wearing its uniform; and on the same
ground, If feeble but friendly state is
in danger of being robbed of its indie
pendence and its sovereignty by misuse
of the name and power of the United
States, the United States cannot fail to
vindicate its honor and its sense of
justice by an earnest effort ito make all
possible reparation."
PROTECTION FOR THE REvoLUTIoNIsTs.
The President says:
I have not however, overlooked an incident
OF this unfortunate AFFAIR which remains TO
be mentioned. The members of the pro-
visional government and their supporters,
though not entitled TO extreme sympathy.
have been led to their present predicament Of
revolt against the government of the queen
by the iRdefensible encouragement and as
sistance Of our diplomatic representative.
1 his fact may entitle them TO claim that in
our effort to re stify the wrong committed
some regal should be had for their safety.
This sentiment is strongly seconded by my
anxiety TO do nothing which would invite
either harsh retaliation on the
or bloodshe1 in any quarter. In the
belief that the queen, as well as her enemies
would be willing to adopt such course as
would meet these convictions and in view OF
the fact that Doth the queen and the pro.
vlstopal government had at one time appar-
emily acquiesced Ia reference OF the entire
case to the United States government, and
considering the further fact that in any event
the provisional government. by its own de-
clare d limitation, was only Ito exist until
terms of union with the United States of
American have teen agreed upon" l hoped
that after the assurance TO the members OF
that government that such union could not
be consummated, / might compass peaceful
adjustment Of the difficulty.
THE INSTRUCTIONS TO WILLIS.
Actuated by these desires and purposes, and
not unmindful of the inherent perplextties of
the situation, nor of the limitations upon my
the queen and her supporters Of my desire to
aid in the restoration of the status existing
before the lawlesS landing OF the United
states forces at Honolulu on Jan. I6, last If
such restoration could re- effected upon term S
proVlallg for clemenJy as well as JUS
tice u all parties concerned. The
conditions suggested. as the instruc-
tions show. contemplate general amnesty
to these concerned in setting up the pro
visional government and a recognition of all
its bona 1ide acts and obligations. In shcrt,
they require that the past should be buried,
and that the restored government should re-
assume is autho ity as II its continuity had
not been interrupted. These conditions have
nOt proved acceptable 70 the queen, and
though she has been Informed that they will
be insisted upon, and, that, unless aceeded
to- the efforts of the President to aid In the
restoration OF her government will cease
have not thus far lea ned that she Is will
ing to yield them ner acQuiescence. The
check which my plans have thus encountered
has prevented their pre- sentation to the mem
bers Of the provisional governmc mt, while
unfortunate public misrepresentation of the
situation and exaggerated statements OF the
sentiments OF our people have obviously in
jured the prospects, OF successful executive
dlation therefore submit this comnu-
nication with its accompanying documents,
embracing Minister Blount S report, the evi'
dence and statements taken by him at Homo
lulu. the instructions given to both Mr..
Blount and Minister Willis and the CORES.
pondenee connected with the AFFAIR in hand.
In commencing this subject 20 the extended
power and wide discretion of the congress, 1
desire 10 add the assurance that l shall be
much aratined to cooperate in any legisla-
tive plan which may be devised for the solu-
tion Of the problem before US which Is con.
sis:ent with American honor, integrity and
morality. GROVER CLEVELAND.
executive Mansion, Washington, Dec. 1s,
, leo3
GREsHAM's LETTER TO WILLIS.
The material points contained in Seer
tary Gresham's letter to Minister Willis,
Oct. IS, ara as follows: The provisional
government was not established by the
Hawaiian people or with their consent.
The queen refused to surrender her pow
ers to the provisional government until
convinced that the minister of the United
States had rsco yniled it as the de facto
authority, and would support and defend
it with the military forces Of the United
Sta es, and that resistance would
brecipitate bloody conflict with that
iOrce. She was advised and assured by
her ministers, and by the leaders of the
movement for the overthrow of her
government, that if she surrendered her
case would afterward be fully considered
bv the President of the United States.
The queen wisely yielded to the armed
forces of the United States at Honolulu,
relying upon the good faith and
honor of the President, when informed
aN..