The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-11-17
srxrxIr. raIDAr. sor. n.


The pTOwissoEa government ~ ths onty
power IN Hawaii II has recently been
reeownsssd - saeh by Russia President
Cleveland has exchanged communications
with President Dole. addressing him in
ths customary manner - 20 recognized
Powers - great and coed friend" This
provisional government represents great
prepondssancs Of the wssith. energy and
infesisgence Of the isiands, aud probably
will not consent under any possible con-
slugrscy TO return 70 the old conditions.
which would mean the rain Of the
country. There IL no danger that these
Islands, exesps by the free consent Of their
psofse. will lie ANNEXED by any Of the
great powsrs Of the world.
In November. ists. England, Francs
sna Great Britain united in mutual en-
gsssmsnt 10 consider the Hawaiian isl-
ands as an independent state. aud never
10 take possession. neither directly nor
under the title Of Professionals, nor under
any form. OF any part OF the territory Of
which they are composed" Secretary Of
etaie Webster in 1851 said that the United
States wculd "never consent 20 see these
islands taken possession OF By either OF
tho great commercial powers Of Europe"
nor 10 have enforced against them de
mands maniIessiy unjust and inconsistent
wlth bona flde Independence. Mr..
Marcy. secretary Of state under President
Pierce, declared that I'VE are resolved that
no other power or state shall establish
any protecsarats ever them" Secretary
Of State Fish. under President Grant, re-
itsrated the views Of Webster and Marcy.
Secretary Blaine maintained this tradi-
tlonai policy Of our government. and 50
did Secretary Bayard In Cleveland's first
term. The record Of our diplomatic utter
ances from is42. from Secretary Webster,
under President Tyler. TO Secretary Bay
ard. under President Cleyelandis first
term. shows that the government of the
United States has always insisted that
American interests were paramount In
the Hawaiian islands TO those of any
other power. This IL as far as we have
gone.
Now Mr. clsvsland's mistake seems 10
be thiss lie has assumed the right as an
executive. without consultation with con-
rrsss. to .undo the relations OF the United
States government with ths Hawaiian
islands as hs found them when he sue
easted President Harrison. He found the
provisional government recognized by the
United States government; he sent Com
missioner Blount 20 the islands armed
with extraordinary powers; he returned the
United States marines 10 the Boston. the
real or assumed necessity for their presence
having ceased 20 exist. So far Mr. Cleve-
land seems 10 have kept within the lines
OF his executive powers. Commissioner
bloant returned: his report is placed in the
hands az the president white congress is
in ssssion. President cieveland's plain
duty was 10 send Commissioner Biount's
report 10 congress, accompanied by q
message containing iha presidents views
and recommendations and asking for
them the Judgment of congress. Instead
81 this the president acts like ear and
takes upon himself the responsibility OF
Deciding on ca pafse evidences that the
queen had really loss her throne by the
presence Of the United States marines
and that therefore Ii wAs the duty Of the
United States government to replace the
queen on her throne.
Mr.. Stevens. our minister under HArri-
sons administration. stoatly denies the
truth OF the charge that the United States
marines were ordered ashore or used for
any unlawful purpose; and the provision al
government deny that the success of the
revolution wss dependent upon the pres.
enes Of these marines. II is clear. there.
fore. that tie report OF Commissioner
hloant should have been laid by the nres,.
dent before congress, accompanied by an
appropriate message, before no decided
upon ez paFte evidence 50 dangerous a So
luton OF the situation in Hawaii.
The action Of President Cleveland has
been irapradens snd impolitie; IL recalls
his has'y ASTON In ordering the return OF
thu captured Confederate hattie naes
when as q matter Of fact the flags were The
property Of tie United States and could
not lawfully be disposed OF by the presi-
dent except on the authority Of congress
IL Is unfortunate for President Cleveland
that be has oysEstspped the iSgissmA.s
bounds Of bis executive authority. because
he has enemies in his own party In con.
gress and among The slIveritss and Popu.
lists who VII make the most Of his error
AMI ssis imrradsnce.
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