The Ohio Democrat. (Logan, O. [Ohio]) 1886-1906, 1893-12-30

ncation " touch upon oil The facts which throw
light upau tho progress and contamination OF
this scheme OF annexation. very brief ana
imperfect reference TO the facts and evidcncoat
hand wifi exhibit its character and the Incl
dents In which 1t had its birth.
II is unnecessary TO set forth the reasons
which IN January, 1898, led considerable por-
tion OF American and other foreign merchants
and traders residing at Honolulu to favor the
annexation OF Hawaii 10 the United states. IL
is sufncient TO note the fact and TO observe that
the project was one which was zealously pro.
NOTED by the minister representing the united
States In that country. He evidently nad an
! ardent desire that It should become q fact ac-
| complished by his agency and during his min
istry, and was not inconveniently scrupulous as
| 10 the means employed to that end
| On the 10th day OF November 1892, nearly
| two months before the first overt act tending
| towards the subversion OF the Hawaiian gov.
| crnment and the attempted transfer OF Ha-
waiian territory to the United States, he ad.
| dressed long letter TO the secretary OF state,
, in which the case for annexation was elaborate.
| ly argued on moral, political and economical
| grounds. He refers TO the loss to the Hawaiian
| sugar interests from the operation OF the Nc
Kinley bill, and the tendency TO stu further
| depreciation Of sugar property, unless some
| positive measure OF relief is granted.
He strongly inveghs against the existing Ha.
waian government and emphatically declares
for annexation. He says: "In truth the mon
nothing on which 1t logically or legitimntely
| stands. Tho feudal basis on which 1t oncc
| stood, no longer existing, the monarchy now Is
only On impeachment TO good government-an
obstruction TO prosperity and progress OF the
| islands
He further says "As crown colony Of
Great Britain or territory OF the United
| States the government notifications could be
made readily and good administration OF tho
law secured Destiny and the vast future In
tcrests of the United States In the Pacific
| clearly indicate who at no distant day must DO
responsible for the government Of these
| islands. Under territorial government they
| could be as easily governed us any OF the exist.
ing territories of the United States. Hawaii
| has reached the parting OF the ways. She must
| now take the road which leads to Asia, or the
other which outlets her in America gives her
| an American civilization and binds her 10 the
caro- of American destiny"
| He also declares: lone of two courses seems
to me absolutely necessary to be followed, eith-
er bold and vigorous measures for annexation
or q customs union, and ocean cables from the
California coast to Honolulu. Pearl hnrbor
perpetually ccded TO the United States with an
implied but not expressly stipulated American
protectorate over the islands. I believe the for
mcr to be the better, that which will prove
much more advantageous TO the islands
and the cheapest and least embarrass-
ing in the end to the United States. If it was
wise for the United States, through Secretary
Marcy, thirty.eight years ago, to offer TO ex-
pend 100000 to secure treaty OF annexation.
| it certainly can not be chimerical or unwtse to
cxpend 100000 to secure annexation in the near
future To. day the United States has hve
times the wealth she possessed in 1854, and req.
sons now existing for annexation are much
stronger than they were then. / can not re-
fran from expressing tho opinion with en-
phasis that the golden hour Is near ut hand"
These declarations certainly show DISPOSE
ton and condition of mind which may be use.
fully recalled when interpreting the signiii'
cance OF the minister's conceded ncts or when
considering the probabilities Of such conduct on
his part as may not be admitted.
In this view II seems proper to also quote
from letter written by the minister to the sec
retary OF state on the 9Th day OF March, 1902
nearly year prior to the first step taken to
ward annexation After stating the possibility
that the existing government of Hawaii NIGH
be overturned by an orderly and peaceful revo
luton Minister Stevens writes as follows:
"Ordinarly in like circumstances the rule
seems to be to limit the landing and movemen
Of the United States forces in foreign waters
and dominion exclusively to the protection o.
the United States legation and Of the lives nnt
, property OF American citizens But as the re
lations OF the United States to Hawaii are ex
. ceptional. and In former years tho United
States officials here took somewhat exceptiona
, action in circums tances Of disorder. desire tc
| know how far the present minister and nava
, terna tonal rules and precedents in contingent
cies indicated In the hrst part Of this dispatch
10 minister Of this temper, full Of zeal fol
annexation, there seemed to arise in January
1893 the precise opportunity for which he was
watchfully waiting-an opportunity which BY
/ timely "deviation from established interna
{ tional rules and precedents" might be improved
, TO successfully accomplish the great object ir
, view: and we are quite prepared for the exult
1 ant enthusiasm with which, In q letter to the
a
declares: THE Hawaiian pear Is now fully ripe
and this is the golden hour for the United Statei
TO pluck it."
AS q further illustration OF the activity o
r this diplomatic representative, attention 1!
called to tho fact that on the day the above let
ter was written, apparently unable longer to re
: strain his nrdor he issued n proclamation
whereby "in the namc OF the United States
r he assumed the protection Of the Hawaiian
islands and declared that said sanction wu
Q taken pending and subject to negotiations a
Washington"
e or course this presumption OF pro tectorat
: was promptly disavowed by our government
! but the American flag remained over the gov
: ernment building at Honolulu and ,hc fort IS re
: mained on guard until April and after Mr.
Q Blount's arrival on tho scene, when boil
e were removed. A brief statement OF the occur
: rences that led to the subversion Of the consti
4 tutional government of Hawaii in the interest
3 OF annexation 10 the United States will exhibi
the true complexion OF that transaction
Y On Saturday, January IA, 1893, the queen o
Hawaii, who mad been contemplating the proc
r lamation OF q new constitution, had, In defer
ence to the wishes and remons frances of he
3 cabinet rcnounced the project for the present
, ut least Taking this relinquished purpose as
2 basis of action citizens of Honolulu nun
9 bcring from fifty 10 one hundred
5 mostly resident aliens, met In privat
I Office and selected so.called CON
D mittee OF safety, composed of thirtee
: persons, seven of whom were foreign subjects
: and consisted Of five Americans one English
I man and one German. This committee, thoug
] its designs were not revealed, had In vie,
r nothing less than annexation to the Unite
States, and between Saturday. the lith, ALL til
Q following Monday the 10th OF January-thoug
s exactly what action was taken may not b
d clearly disclr sed-lhey were certainly In con
G munication with the United States minister.
j. On Monday morning the queen and her cab
i net made public proclamation, with motto
which was specially served upon the represer
y tauves OF all foreign governments, that an
O changes In the cons titution would be sough
!. only in the methods provided by that instrl
mcnt Nevertheless. at the call and unde
J. the auspices OF the committee OF safet,
s a mass meeting OF citizens was held O
d that day 10 protest against the queen
l. alleged illegal and unlawful proceedings an
purposes Even at this meeting The commttc tc
J. OF safety continued to disguise their real pu
It poses and contentcd themselves with procurin
r the passage OF q resolution denouncing tn
II queen and empowering the committee to devils
y ways and means ITO s cure the permaneI
II maintenance of law and order the protection {
| nd tlrnf Ia in IJnt