The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1893-12-19


III tnls view, 1t seems Also proper 70 |,
quote letter waitten by the minister To |
the secretary Of state ON the Sth day OF I
March, 1882, nearly year prior to the first
step taken toward annexation. After stat
ing the possibility that the existing gov
srnment might be overturned by an
orderly and peaceful revolution, Minister
Stevens writes as follows:
Ordinarily In like circumstances, the
rule seems TO be TO limit the landing aud
of the United States forces i'm
foreign waters and dominions exclusively
to the protection of the United States leQa-
tion, and of the lives and property OF
American citizens. But as the relations
of the United States to Hawaii are ex-
and in former years the United
States officials here took somewhat ex-
ceptional action in circumstances Of dis
order. desire to know how far the pre-
sent minister and naval commander may
deyiate from established international
rules, and precedents in contingencies in
dicated in the first part of this dispatch y
To minister OF this temper, full of zeal
for annexation, there seemed to arise in
january. 1888 the precise opportunity for
which he was watchfully waiting-an OPP
portunity which by timely deviation from
established International rules and prece-
dents" might be proved to successfully ac-
complish the great object in view; and we
are quite prepared for the exultant enthu-
siasm with which. i'm q letter to the state
department. dated Feb !, 1893, he declares:
"rhe Hawaiian pear is now fully ripe and
this is the golden hour for the United
States to pluck it. =
Protectorate Declared.
As further illustration of the activity
Of this diplomatic representative, attention
is called to the fact that ON the day the
above letter was written, apparently un-
able longer to restrain his artior. he is sued
a proclamation, whereby lin the name OF
the United States" he assumed the protec-
tion of the Hawaiian islands, and declared
that said action was taken pending and
subject to negotiations at Washi agton."
The Flag Lowered.
OF course this assumption of protec-
torate was promptly disavowed by ouI
government. but the American flag re-
manned over the government building al
Honolulu, and the forces remained OF
guard until April, and after Mr.. Blount' /
arrival on the scene, when both were
removed. A brief statement of the
occurrences that led to the supervision oil
the constitutional government of Hawaii
in the interests of annexation to the
United States viii exhibit the true com
plexion of that transaction.
On Saturday, January IA, 1893, thu
queen of Hawaii, who had been contem
plating the proclamation of new con
stitution, had, in Difference to the wishes
and remonstrances of her cabinet, re
nounced the project for the present Al
least Taking this relinquished purpos,
as a basis of action, citizens of Honolulu
numbering from SO to 100, mostly resident
| aliens, met in a private Office and selected
| a. .s0called committee Of safety, conpOse<
/ of 13 persons. seven of whom were foreig1
/ subjects, and consisted of five Americans
| one Englishman and one German. Thi
4 committee, though its designs were no
revealed, had i'm view nothing less than an
| neXation to the United States. and be
tween Saturday, the 14th, and the follow
ing Monday, the 10th of January--t
| exactly what action was taken may not b
clearly disclosed-they were certainly il
communication with the Unite,
States. On Monday morning, tn
/ queen and her cabinet mad
public proclamation, with notice. whic
was especially served upon the representa-
tiyes of foreign governments; that an
changes in the constitution would
sought only i'm the methods provided b
that instrument. Nevertheless, at the cal
and under the auspices of the committe
| of safety, a mass meeting of safety wa
held on that day to protest against tn
queens alleged illegal and unlawful prt
ceedings and purposes Even at this mee,
ing, the committee of safety continued {
disguise their real purpose, and contente
themselves with procuring the passage Z
resolution denouncing the queen and EN-
pOwering the committee to devise way
and means ito secure the permgnen
maintenance of law and order and the prt
lection of life, liberty and property j
Hawaii
Asked for Armed Protection.
This meeting adjourned between an
four o. clock in the afternoon. On the sam
day, and immediately after such adjourn
j ment, the committee, unwilling to tah
further steps without the further co-ope
, alton of the United States minister, a,
dressed note representing that the publ
safety was menaced and that lives an
property were menaced and concluded:
I'VE are unable to protect ourselv,
without aid, and therefore pray for IL
protection of the United States forces"
Whatever may have been thought of til
other contents of this note, the absolu
truth of this latter statement. is inconte
table. When the note was written and d
! liyered the committee, so far as 1t appear
had neither q man nor q gun at their con
! mand and after its delivery they becan
j | 30 panic stricken at their position th