The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-06-08
Tho Beginning of the End at Honolulu.

The dispatches by the last steamer from
Honolulu are very important. They show
that tho question Is working toward o
solution along the inevitable lines pre-
scrlbed by the logic OF the situation as
we have heretofore indicated 1t.
Most important Of all Is the following
statement forwarded by our correspondent
in tho islands. concerning the alternative
intentions OF the Provisional Government
-The Government will be slow to make TO any other
power tho proposition 1t has made and is pressing
for the upon the United States Some of tho
leaders strongly prefer waiting until what they believe
will certainly come. change in the Administration;
but tho talk OF negotiations with another power.
whether there immediate and satisfactory
response from tho American Government. ia no nero
blum. These negotiations already in progress This
Is not known here and what ia now writ.
ten is the nrst intmation ever given to
the pubic. Perhaps I should not use the
term negotiations. for It would DO discourtesy
to initiate these pending definite reply from Wash
ington. But informal and unofficial conferences have
been held not in Washington. and not here in which
preln have been arranged for negotiations In
certain events The propositions thus far made by
the Hawaiian have been received with
warmth of favor which 10 most significant and.
naturally. most satisfactory to the Government De-
tails of these preminaries are not procurable but
~ the parties and the power with which they have
been arranged should DO named. there would be a
sensation Mt Washington which would add to tho
presont discontinue of Mr. BLouYr"
We accept the statement without hesita-
ton. Tor not only does it como from q
source OF peculiar and accurate informa-
ton as to tho less obvious aspects OF the
Hawaiian AFFAIR. but it also comedies per-
fectly with what was to be expected under
the circumstances.
The Provisional Government. OF whose
stability. responsibility. and good faith
there Is no longer tho slightest question.
even in the mind OF Minister BLoUNT. as it
now appears. has once asked the United
States Government to take in Hawaii I'M
der the flag Of this republic. The reply was
not n rejection OF the rich gift offered.
or an absolute refusal to embrace the
unprecedented opportunity. but n PROPOSE
ton to wait and investigate. The process
Of investigation must now be nearly COM
plete. and the time is fast approaching
when Mr.. CLEvELANDs Administration will
be obliged to commit itself to n definite
general policy. Up to the present day, our
Government has committed itself upon one
point only. but that is Axcd and uualterable:
Under no circumstances. and upon no pre-
te.rt. ,1iH the United States Government alloD
any foreign po,oer to interfere in the domestic
GGairs of Ha,raii.
That decision. irrevocable without the
sacrifice of national honor and n backdown
that would swamp any Administration. no
matter how powerful and popular. settles
the whole business. At an early date the
Provisional Government may be expected
to renew its proposal to the United States.
A distinct answer can no longer be post
poned. Tho answer must DO either nc-
ceptance or rejection outright. Rejection
outright leaves Hawaii. as an independent
power both morally and politically free
to seek protection and alliance in
any quarter she may select; and 1t
would be strange II her Government
were not already preparing against that
possible result of the pending negotia-
tions Mt Washington. Such proceeding Is
both natural and legitimate. On the other
hand acceptance OF the Hawaiian over
lures. In any form and under any arrange
mont, however styled. will unite forever
the destinies OF this interesting group OF
protectorate leaving the way open to
ultimate annexation Is annexation. The
nomenclature Of statecraft contains no
word or phrase for relations between the
United States and Hawaii by which the
United States becomes responsible for tho
future OF Hawaii. and warns off all the 9TH
er nations OF the world. that will not mean
and constitute annexation.
Short Of the Abandonment of all Idea OF
preventing the occupation OF Hawaii by
England. Germany. or Japan. as the case
may be. there is no course open to this Gov
eminent which is not certain to end In the
acquisition OF Hawaii as American terri
tory. But Mr.. CLEvELANps Administra-
ton has declared that Hawaii is not to he
left free to put herself under foreign control.
The flag ,riH 90 up on that pole again. and
the nett time il wiH 90 up rightfutiy
Jiugoism In Ontario.
Tho attempt to check the natural drift Of