The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1893-05-16

Honolulu, III. l., May 10, 1898.
To the People of the Hawaiian
Islands.
I deem it proper now 10 publish
| the following instructions under
which I am now acting:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WASHINGTON, March IL, 1893. !
THE HONORABLE JAMES III.
BLoUNT, ETC.-Sir: The situation
created in the Hawaiian islands by
| the recent deposition of Queen Liliu-
okalani and the erection of a Pro-
visional government demands the
fullest consideration of the President,
and in order to obtain trustworthy in
| formation on this subject, as well as
| for the discharge of other duties
| herein specified, he has decided to
despatch you to the Hawaiian islands
| as his special commissioner, in which
| capacity you will herewith receive a
commission and also q letter where
| by the President accredits you to the
President of the Executive and Adj
visory Councils of the Hawaiian ISL
ands.
The comprehensive, delicate and
| confidential character of your mis-
sion can now only be briefly outlined,
| the details of its execution being
| necessarily left in great measure to
your good judgment and wise discre-
| ton.
You will investigate and fully re-
port to the President all the facts you
can learn respecting the condition of
| aff:.irs in the Hawaiian islands, the
causes of the revolution by which the
queens government was OverthrOwn,
! the sentiment of the people toward
existing authority, and, in general,
| all that can fully enlighten the Presi-
dent touching the subject of your
mission.
To enable you to fulfil this charge,
your authority in all matters touch
| ing. the relations of this government
| to the existing or other government
of the Islands, and the protection of
our citizens therein, is paramount, and
| in you alone, acting in cooperation
with the commander of the naval
| forces, is vested full discretion and
power to determine when such forces
| should be landed or withdrawn.
You are, however, authorized to
avail yourself of such aid and infor-
nation as you may desire from the
present Minister of the United States
at Honolulu, Mr.. John L. Stevens,
| who will continue until further notice
| to perform the usual functions attach
| ing to his office, not inconsistent with
the powers entrusted to you. An In
struction will be sent to Mr.. Stevens
| directing him to facilitate your pres
entation to the head of the govern
ment upon your arrival, and to render
you all needed assistance.
The withdrawal from the Senate of
the recently signed Treaty of Annex
alton for denomination by the Presl-
| dent, leaves its subject matter in
allegiance, and you are not charged
| which any duty in respect thereto. 1t
may be we'll however for you to dis
pei any possible misrepresentation
| with its withdrawal may have excit-
ed touching the entire friendliness of
the President and the Government of
the United States towards the people
of the Hawaiian Islands, or the earn
est solicitude here felt for their well
fare, tranquility and progress.
Historical presidents, and the gen.
eral course of the United States, au-
thosize the employment of its armed
force in foreign territory for the securi-
ty Of the lives and property of Amer
lean citizens and for the suppression of
lawless and tumultuOus acts threaten
ing them; and the powers conferred to
that end upon the representatives of
the United States are both necessary
and proper, subject always to the ex-
ercise of a sound discretion in their
application.
In the judgment of the President
| YOUR authority, as well as that of the
commander of the naval forces in Ha-
waiian waters, should be and is
limited, in the use of physical force,
to such measures as are necessary to
protect the persons and property of
our citizens; and while abstaining
from any manner of interference with
the domestic concerns of the islands,
you should indicate your willingness
to interfere with your friendly. offices
in the interest of a peaceful settlement
of troubles within the limits of sound
discretion.
Should it be necessary to land an
armed force upon Hawaiian territory
on occasions of popular disturbance,
when the local authority may be un-
able to give adequate protection to the
life and property of citizens of the
United States, the assent of such au-
thority should first be obtained, if it
can be done without prejudice to the
interests involved.
Your power in this regard should
not, however, be claimed to the ex-
| cluSlOn or similar measures by the
representatives of other powers for
the protection of the lives and pro-
perty of their citizens or subjects
residing in the islands.
While the United States claim no
right to interfere in the political or
domestic affairs, or in the internal
conflicts of the Hawaiian Islands,
otherwise than as herein ated, or for
the purpose of maintaining any treaty
or other rights which they possess,
this government will adhere to it's
consistent and established policy in
relation to them, and it will not &C.
quiesce in domestic interference by
other powers.
The foregoing general exposition of
the Presidents views will indicate the
safe courses within which your action
should be shaped and mark the limits
of your discretion in calling upon the
naval commander for cooperation.
The United States revenue cutter
Rush is under orders to await you at
San Francisco and convey you to
Honolulu.
A stenographic clerk will be detailed
) to accompany you and remain subject
to your orders.
1t is expected that you will use all
convenient dispatch for the fulfilment