The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1893-12-28

was led to submit the treaty to the
SENATE with the declaration "the
overthrow OF the monarchy was not
III any way promoted by this Govern
led. i"-0
An attempt will not be made i'm
this communication" he says, "to
touch upon all the facts which throw
lIgnt upon the progress of this scheme
OF annexation. 1t is unnecessary to
set forth the reasons which i'm January,
1893, led a considerable portion of The
american and other foreign mer-
chants and traders residing in Homo
luIu 10 favor annexation of Hawaii TO
the United States. 1t is sufficient to
note the fact, and to observe that the
project was one which was zealously
promoted by the Minister represent
ing the United States. He evidently
mad an ardent desire that il should
become a fact accomplished by his
agency during his ministry, and was
not lnconyeniently scrupulous as to
the methods employed to that end. On
the 18th day OF November, 1892, he
addressed long letter 20 the Secretary
OF state, in which the case for annex
alton was elaborated and argued on
moral, political and economical
grounds. He says: I'm truth, mon
archy here Is an absurd anachrOnism,
and has nothing on which il logically
or legitimateIy stands. The feudaI
basis on which it once stood no longer
existing, monarchy now is only an
impeachment TO good government, an
obstruction to the prosperity and pro-
gress OF the islands, He further
says: THE destiny and future interest
OF the United States in the Pacific
ocean clearly indicate who at no dis
tant day must be responsible for the
| government of these islands One Of
two courses seems absolutely neces-
sary to be followed, either bold and
| vigorous measures for annexation or
customs union, an ocean cable from
the California Coast to Honolulu,
Pearl Harbor perpetually ceded to the
United States, with implied, but not
expressly stipulated American pro-
tectorate over the islands,"
"These declarations certainly show
his disposition and condition of mind,
which may be useful to recall when
interpreting the significance of the
Minister'S conceded acts, or when con-
sideriDg the probabilities that such
conduct on his part may not be adj
mitted."
The President quotes from letter
written by Minister Stevens 10 the
Secretary of State on March Sth, 1892,
nearly year prior to the first steps
taken toward annexation. After stat
ing the possibility that the existing
Government of Hawaii might be
overturned by an orderly and peaceful
revolution, Minister Stevens writes as
follows: Ordinarily, the like cir
cumstances-rule's seems to be the limit
OF q landing movement OF the United
States forces in foreign waters
and dominion, exclusively to protect
the property of American citizens.
But as relating to the United States
officials here, who took a somewhat
exceptional action in the circum-
stances referred to, / desire to know
how far the present Minister and naval
commander may deviate from estab-
lished international rules and prece-
dents in contingencies indicated in
the first part of this dispatch"
The President continues: "'To min
lister of this temper, full of zeal for an
nexation, there seemed to arise i'm
January, 1898, the precise opportunity
for which he had been watchfully
waiting, an opportunity which by the
timely deviation from established in
ternational rules and precedents,
might be proved successful in accom-
plishing the great object in view, and
we are quite prepared for the exuI-
taut enthusiasm with which in the
letter to the State Department, dated
February, 1898, he declares that the
Hawaiian pear is now fully ripe, and
this is the golden hour for the United
ota.es .S s.ssH suni.-a o.
- 4 further illustration of the ac-
tivity of this diplomatic representa-
tive. attention is called to the fact that
on the day in which the foregoing let
ter was written, whereby I'm the name
of the United States he assumed pro-
lection of the Hawaiian Islands and
declared that said action was taken
pending negotiations at Washington
or course this assumption of protec-
torate was promptly disavowed by the
Government, but the American nag
remained over the Government build
ing at Honolulu, and our forces re-
manned on guard until April and after
Mr.. Blount's arrival on the scene,
when both were removed. a brief
statement of the occurrences that led
TO the subversion of the constitutional
government of Hawaii in the interest
OF annexation to the United States
will exhibit the true complexion OF
the transaction. On Saturday, Janu-
ary Ia, 1898, the Queen OF Hawaii, who
had been contemplating the proclaim
alton of a new constitution, had, in
Difference to the wishes and remon-
strances of her Cabinet, renounced
the project for the present at least.
Taking this relinquished purpose as a
basis of action, the citizens of Homo
lulu, numbering from fifty to 100,
| mostly aliens, met in a private office
and selected a so-called Committee of
Safety, composed of thirteen persons,
seven of whom were foreign subjects
five Americans, one Engiishman
and one German. This committee,
though its designs were not revealed,
had in view nothing less than annex
alton to the United States, and were
| certainly communicating with the
| United States Minister. AT call
under the auspices of a Committee OF
Safety a mass meeting of citizens was
held that day to protest against the
| queens alleged unlawful proceedings
and purposes. At this meeting the
committee contented themselves with
procuring the passage of resolution
denouncing the queen. On the same
day the committee, unwilling to take
further steps without the cooperation
| of the United States Minister, adj
dressed him representing that theCom-
mittee of Public Safety was menaced,
and concluded as follows: we are
unable to protect ourselves without
aid, and therefor pray for the pIotec-
ton of the United States forces On