New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-01-29
SHALL IT BE ANNEXED!
POSITION OF THE ADMINISTRATIONS IN EE.
GARD TO HAWAII.
HITTER INDEPENDENCE OR ANNEXhTloN TO
THE UNITED STATES INSISTED oN-No
FOREIGN DOMNATION TO
BE SUFFERED.
TBr TELEGRAPH TO The TRyBUNEl


WASHINGTON. Jan. 2s-The news of the revolu-
ton wac not a surprise in Administration circles.
The attitude Of the United States toward the au-
tonomy of the Hawaiian Government has been eX-
plicit and pronounced for many years. So long
as tie people maintained their own form Of gov
eminent, the United States has been pledged to
see that no outside influences were permitted 70
undermine their authority. Such a state OF affairs
was at one time anticipated when Mr.. Blaine was
Secretary Of State in 1851, Minister Comfy in
formed tho State Department of what was being
done to make reciprocity treaty OF little value
between the islands and the United States On
that occasion MIR. Blaine instructed Mr. Comfy tina
the Government Of the United States will not
be unobservant Of its rights and interests and
will be- neither unwilling nor unprepared 20 sup
port the Hawaiian Government in the faithful dis
charge OF its treaty Obligations.
The question now confronting the President ia
whether the interests Of the United States do not
demand immediate intervention in the affairs
Of Hawaii. Hitherto our aim has been TO main
tain their independence simply as duty both
to Hawaii and TO the United States Mr.. Blaine,
in another dispatch to Mr.. Comfy in November.
1881, outlined this policy and said:
1T firmly believes that the position OF the
Hawaiian Islands as the key to the dominion
TO which end it will earnestly cooperate with
the native Government And IL, through any
cause. the maintainanco Of such position Of
neutrality should be found by Hawaii impractic-
able, this Government would thea unhcsitatingy
meet the altered situation by seeking an avowedly
American solution for the grave issue presented
Annexation will certainly be encouraged by MI
Harrison if the statement OF the commissioners
now on the way to this city is confirmed. There
is no other course left for our Government to fol
low IL the overthrow Of the Kingdom Is com
plcte. and the Queen has no longer any authority
in the islands, then the ALTERED situation" has
como 10 pass. which Mr.. Blaine mentioned, and
it can only be met by prompt action on the part
Of the United States. Mr.. Blaine at that time
fully discussed the intended action OF Great
Britain, and our Minister was advised that the
United States would not tolerate any assumption
on the part of Great Britain that was likely TO
weaken the authority of the United States IN
maintaining our interests in tho islands
Mr.. Tburston, one Of the annexation commits
sioners, says they do not want repuplc nor
protectorate The State Department has re-
peatedly said that it felt and acted on the con-
vlction that the possession of the islands by
peaceful and prosperous Power, with which there
was no possibility of controversy or collision, was
most desirable in reference to its own large ana
rapidly increasing interests in the Pacific 1t
has declined, even at the request OF the Ia
vaiian people to assume over their affairs
protectoratc which would only be thny dis
guised domination At the same time the Gov
eminent Of the United States has always avowed
that under no circumstances would 1t permit the
transfer of territory sovereignty of any OF these
islands 10 any of the great European Powers.
Neither would our Government allow any arrange
ment which. by diplomatic inesse or legal techni-
cality substituted for the native and legitimate
constitutional government of Hawaii the con-
trolling influence OF great foreign Power.
These are the views of the state Department TO-
DAY. Just as they were in 1881, viz: Either !, the
peaceful and prosperous Independence Oh The
islands under the Hawaiian people, or their abso-
lutte and unconditional government by the United
States.
The President and all the members Of the Cabi-
net, it is understood. are Of one mind as u what
ought 10 be DONE and that Is for this Govern
ment TO DO all that it is proper should be done
TO strengthen the sentiment believed TO bc upper
most among the residents OF Honolulu i'll favor
Of the United States taking sole possession OF the
Hawaiian Islands. If such sentiment actually
prevails month hence, when steps can be taken
to verify the desire OF the people, then, in the
opinion Of those in authority, the United States
should be ready to second every chort the
IIawaiians may make TO adopt the American flag
"a their