The Globe-republican., 1893-12-22


consent on The part Of the government OF the
queen which was at that time undisputed and
both the de facto and &c jure gov rnment In
point Of fact the exis ting government instead
of requesting the presence OF an armed force
pr tested against it
There is as little basis for the pretense that
such forces were landed for tn; security OF
American life and property If So they should
have been stationed in the vicinity OF such
property and so as to protect il instead CT At y
distance and so as to command the Hawa ian
government building and palace. Adm. Skier
rett the officer in command of our naval force
on the Pacific station. has frankly stated that
in his opinion the location o: troops was inadvis-
able if they were landed for the protection OF
American citizens whose residences and places
of business as well as the legation and consulate
were in a distant part of the city, but the loca-
ton selected was q wise one II landed for the
purpose of supporting the provisional govern
ment Thus it appears that Hawaii
was taken possession OF by the United States
forces without the consent or wish OF the gov
eminent OF the islands or anybody else SO far
as shown except the United States minister.
The anomalous state of affairs that
followed is then discussed and the
course of Minister Stevens is declared
to be without diplomatic warrant. The
president says:
a
Ia ZION of the facts will force the conviction
that the provisional government owes its exist
an:e to an armed invasion by the United
States. Fair minded people with the evidence
before them will hardly cl Tim that the Hawaii
an government was overthrow b. the people
OF the islands or that the provisional govern
ment has ever existed with their consent lido
moi understand that any member OF this gov.
eminent claims that the people would uphold it
by their SURFACES if they were allowed to vote
on tie question.
As apprehend the situation. we are brought
face 10 face with the following conditions:
TIE lawful government of Hawaii was over
thrown without the drawing Of a sword or the
firing of a shot, by a process every step Of
which, it may safely be asserted, is directly
traceable TO and dependent for its success upon
the agency of the United States government
through its diplomatic and naval representa-
tives.
But for the notorious predictions Of the
United States minister for annexation the COM
mittee of safety, which should be called the
committee of annexation, would never have
existed.
But 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
and penalties Of treason by undertaking the
subversion Of the queens government
But for the presence Of the United States
forces in the immediate vicinity and in posi-
ton to afford all need d protection and sup
port the committee would not have proclaimed
the provisional government from the steps Of
the government building.
And finally. but for the lawless occupation
OF Honolulu under false pretex,s by the United
States forces and but for Minister Stevens
recognition of the provisional government
when the United States forces were its sole
Spn re
strength the queen and her government would
never have yielded to the provisional govern
ment. even for a time aud for the sole purpose
of submitting her case to the enlightened jus
tice of the United States
Believing. therefore, that the United States
could not under the circumstances disclosed,
annex these islands without justly mourning
the imputation OF acquiring them by unjusti-
fable methods. I shall not az in submit the
treaty of annexation to the senate for its con-
slider ton, and in the instructions to Minister
Willis, copy Of which accompanies this dOcu-
ment, 1 have directed him to so inform the pro-
visiOnal government.
The law of nations is founded upon reason
and justice. and the rules of conduct governing
individual citizens or subjects 4 civilized
state are equally applicable as between enlight-
ened nations. The considerations that inter
national NV is without n court for its enforce
ment and that obedience to the commands
practically depends upon good faith. instead OF
upon the man1ate OF q superior tribunal, ONLY
give additional sanction to the law itself
and brand any deliberate infraction of
it not merely as wrong but as disgrace.
A man of true honor protects the
unwritten word which binds his conscience
more scrupulously, if possible, than he does
The bond Il breach of which subjects him to legal
abilities, and III, United States, in aiming to
maintain itself as one of the most enlightened
nations. would do its citizens gross injustice il
il applied to its international relations any
other than high STANDARD of honor and moral
ity. On that ground the United States cannot
properly be put in the position OF countenancing
q wrong after its commission any more than in
that Of conserving 10 ii in advance On that
ground it cannot allow itself to refuse to re-
dress an injury inflicted through an abuse of
power by officers clothed with its authority and
wearing its uniform and on the same ground il
q feeble but friendly state is in danger OF being
robbed Of its independence and its sovereignty
by a misuse of power il cannot fail to vindicate
its honor and its sense Of justice by an earnest
effort to make all possible reparation. These
principles apply to the present case with IRE
siS;ible force, when the special conditions of
the queens surrender of her sovereignty are
recalled She surrendered not to the provision
al government, but to the United States. She
surrendered not absolutely and permanent
ly but temporarily and conditionslly until such
q time as the facts could be considered by the
United States Furthermore the provisional
government acQuiesced IN her surrender in that
manner and on those terms. not only by tact,
consent, but through the positive acts of some
member of the government who urgei her
peaceable submission. not merely to avoid
b'oodshed. but because she could place implicit
reliance upon tn. justice OF the United States
and that of the whole subject would be finally
considered at Washington
have not however, overlooked an incident
Of this unfortunate affair which remains TO be
mentioned The members OF the provisional
government and their supporters, though n t
entitled to extreme sympathy, have been led
to their present predicament OF revolt
against the government of the queen
By the indefensible encouragement and
assistance Of our diplomatic representative.
This fact may entitIe them to claim that in
every effort to rectify the wrong OF the com.
mittee some regard should be had for their
safetr. This sentiment is strongly seconded
by my anxiety to do nothing which would in :.
vite either harsh retaliation on the part Of the
queen or violence and bloodshed in am quar-
ter.
In the belief that the queen, as well as her
enemies would be willing to adopt such a
course as would meet these conditions and in
view Of the fact that both the queen and the
provisional government had at one time ap-
parently acQuiesced in q reference OF the entire