The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1893-04-22
HIS MISSION.
It II Relieved Cummlssioner Flount Re-
ceivcd Authority for Ills Action Mt Homo

It II Relieved Cummissioner Flount RE-
ceived Authority for Ills Action Mt Homo
lulu.
WASHINGTON, April 15.-There is a
diplomatic reticence around the white
house concerning the natire OF the
instructions given Commissioner Blount
in his mission to Hawaii, but it is
stated with some positiveness that he
was given authority for hauling down
the stars and stripes at Honolulu prior
to his departure from Washington 1t
is understood that Mr.. Blount WINS
given definite instructions to withdraw
the protectorate of the United States
over Hawaii in order that this govern
mont might find itself freer in dealing
with the main question of annexation,
but on the day of his departure for San
| Fran cisco he was cautioned to confide
this information to no person whatso-
ever, in order that the motives and in
tentions Of the administration might
not be construed so as to cause trouble
among the Hawaiiana On the after
noon of his departure from Washington
for San Francisco, Mr.. Blount spent
some time at the white house. The
cabinet was in session, and Mr.. Blount
was called in and discussed with the
president and his official family the
manner of his course to be pursued
in Hawaii He left for San Fran
ciscso that night but the nature
of his mission leaked out before he
was thousand miles from Washing
ton, and the news was telegraphed to
San Francisco, where Mr.. Burk, Queen
! Lilioukalani's agent, learned it and
started Immediately for Honolulu. So
when Mr.. Blount arrived at his desti-
nation the knowledge of his business
had preceded him. 1t was not the in
tention to keep secret what that busi-
ness was with the exception of the fact
that the commissioner had authority to
declare the protectorate at an end.
The exception was guarded carefully
by Mr. Blount for the reason given, it
is said, by the president that if the fact
that the American flag was to be
hauled down became known it might
create trouble and bloodshed, and also
offer temptation to foreign nations tc
step in and secure the prize before the
United States could offer adequate
explanation for its course. Mr..
Blount followed his instructions
to the letter He waited until
the excitement incident to his arriv
al had completely died out and affairs
were in a tranquil state before making
known that the proctectorate was at ar
end. He also made it known at the
same time that the United States would
still consider Hawaii and the Hawaii
ans under its guardianship so far a:
outside inference was concerned, anC
in this also showed the caution which
Mr.. Cleveland and Secretary Gresham
had imposed on him to deprive the an
nouncement of any tinge of sensation
alism. These are said to be the fact
in the matter with reference to the in
structions of Mr.. Blount.
Up to the hour of closing the depart
ment of state no information had beer
received there regarding tho action o
Commissioner Blount. In the course o
the afternoon Mr.. Carter, the annexa
tion commissioner from Hawaii, had al
interview with Secretary Gresham
which he said was quite satisfactory.
He reiterated his former statement tina
the removal of the flag was due to tn
condition of affairs in Honolulu, whicl
no longer warranted its floating owe
the government buildings. THE Pre-
visional government can and ought t.
sustain itself" he said. II am not a
all discouraged over the situation, an,
believe we shall come out all right il
the end"