The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-04-15

hauling down oil the United States flag,
it is said was the subject OF much ami
mated discussion at the cabinet meet
ing to-day, Before going into the cabi-
net room, Secretary Gresham said to
reporler that he had received no inlor-
nation, whatever, aside from that
printed in the papers. When ques-
toned further us TO the truth OF the
statements contained in special dis
patches to western newspapers that
Mr., BlouRt was conplVing at the restor-
alton OF Queen Lilioukalani, and would
support her return to tho throne II
need be by the forces OF the United
STATES ship Boston, he said he knew
nothing about it, and declined to ex'
press any opinion on the subject.
There lisa diplomatic retlCence around
tho white house concerning the nature
OF the instructions given Commissioners
Blount in his mission to Hawaii, but 1t
is stated with some positiveness that he
was given authority Tor hauling down
the stars and stripes at Honolulu. II is
understood that Mr.. Blount was given
definite instructions to withdraw the
protectorate OF the United States over
Hawaii in order that this government
might find itself ireer in dealing with
the main question OF annexation, but
on tho day OF his departure for San
Francisco he was cautioned to contide
this information TO no person whatever
in order that the motives and tho in
tentions OF the administration might
not be construed 50 as to cause trouble
among the Hawaians.
On the afternoon OF his departure
from Washington Mr. Blount spent
some time at the white house. The
cabinet was in session and Mr. Blount
was called in and discussed with tho
President and his official family the
manner OF his course to be pursued in
Hawaii. IIo left for San Francisco that
night, but the nature OF his mission
leaked out before he was thousand
miles from Washington, and news was
autographed to San Francisco, where
Mr.. Burk, Queen Lilioukalani's agent,
learned it and started Immediately for
Honolulu. So, when Mr. Blount ar
rived Mt his destination, the knowledge
OF his business had preceded him. 1t
was not tho intention to keep secret
what that business was, with tho excop-
ton OF the fact that tho commissioner
had authority to declare the protector
ate ut an end.
The exception was guarded carefully
by Mr.. Blount for the reason given, II Is
said, by the President that ii the TACT
that the American flag was TO
be hauled down became known, 1t
might create trouble and bloodshed
and also offer. temptation to foreign
nations to step in and secure the prize
before the United states could offer an
explanation OF its course. Mr.. Blount
followed his instructions to the letter.
He waited until the excitement Incl
dental to his arrival had completely
died out and affairs were in tranquil
state before making known that the
protectorate was at an end. He also
made it known ut tho Same that tho
United States would still consider
Hawaii and the Hawaiiaus under its
guardianship so far as outside interior
ence was concerned, and in this also
showed the caution which Mr.. Cleve-
land and: Secretary Gresham had i'm
pressed on him to deprive the an
nouncement OF anything OF sensational
ism. There are said TO be the facts in
the matter with reference to tho in
structions of Mr.. BIount.
Mr.. Charles L. Carter, one Of the an
nexation commissioners, was seen and
asked il he had any news. He replied
in the negative, but stated that he fully
expected to hear something in tho
course OF tho day. Speaking OF tho
lowering OF tho United States flag by
Mr.. Blount's order, MIR. Carter said: II
do not think it means u reversal OF the
policy Us expressed by tho late admin
istration. Secretary Fosters attitude
was satisfactory to the annexationists,
and he promptly disavowed the protec.
torate. The force OF marines was posted
on duty in response to request oil the
provisional government to protect per-
sons and property against assaults and
danger from the natives. Tho necessity
for this has passed, the annexation
movement has gained strength, and
members and President Dole announce
that it is able to maintain itself II not
assisted from without. Therefore, the
forces Of tho United States were no
longer essential, and with their removal
OF course the flag came down. We all
regret that events have made 1t neccs-
sary to pursue that course. We had
hoped that when it was once hoisted
that annexation would be accomplished
and that 1t might never again be hauled
down"
WHAT SENATOR'S THINK.
The news from Hawaii attracted n