The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-10-07
MIR. Cleveland and the Idea of an Ha-
waiian Plebiscite.


According to unconflrmed and unofficial
reports from Washington. the policy Of Mr..
CLEvELAND's Administration. with regard
to Hawaiis proposal Of annexation. will be
found. when disclosed to the country. to be
about as follows:
I. A plebiscIte OF the residents OF Hawaii
to determine the form Of permanent gov
ernment for the islands. and to decide
whether the islands desire either annexa-
tlon or protectorate by the United States.
II. Pending the popular vote in Hawaii.
and the establishment Of permanent gov
eminent. a guarantee by the United States
Of protection against foreign interference.
III. Assistance by the United States in
enabling Hawaii to hold free and peaceful
election. partly through the exercise OF our
Governments moral influence in the islands.
and partly by somewhat imposing naval
demonstration at Honolulu at the time Of
the voting.
These are the main features OF the pro-
gramme as described in the various and not
altogether harmonious reports as to the
character OF Mr.. BLoUNTs recommends
tions to Mr.. CLEVELAND. and Mr.. CLEvE-
LANDS intended policy. Part OF the story
is derived from statements made with great
positiveness and particularly by the Bal
timore Sun. which processes to have ex-
act knowledge of the nature Of Mr.. BLoUNT's
recommendations and OF Mr.. CLEvRLAND's
acquiescence in Mr.. BLoUNT's conclusions.
Part is derived on the other hand. from the
Neto York HeralTa dispatches from WASH
ington. AS that journal has been the most
ardent uphoder OF Mr.. CLAUS SPRECKELs's
peculiar interests. and a constant advocate
Of the restoration OF the dethroned Queen.
we are inclined to attach Importance to the
Information it publishes. whenever the
same Is not In line with Its own desires
, and demands 1t Is decidedly encouraging.
for example. to learn now from the Herald
itself that 1.-The restoration OF the Queen
to the throne Mr.. BLoUST never contem-
plated. by anything he said in his report.
and the Administration would not favor
such course. even II he did,
Diminishing the absurd and odious idea OF
the restoration Of monarchy In Hawaii by
the efforts OF an American Administration,
the essential feature OF the policy now
attributed to Mr.. CLEVELAND is the pie
biscite: that Is to say. the determine
ton Of the question of Hawai's destiny
1t Is premature to discuss or crticIse
the Administrations plan on the strength
of these unofficial reports from Washing
ton. 1t 10 quite permissible to inquire what
would be signitied and involved by the in
stitution OF a plebiscite for this purpose at
the instance OF our Government.
The proposal OF a reference OF the annexa-
tion question to the residents OF the Islands.
rs q preliminary to further negotiations.
would Indicate that In Mr.. CLEvR-
LANDS view annexation is constitutional,
not unconstitutional. II 1t were beyond
the constitutional power OF this Gov
eminent to assume control over these
outlying islands OF the sea. there would be
no occasion for q plebiscite to ascertain
whsther majority OF the Hawaiians want
to be annexed or protected. This point
needs no elucidation. 1t is obvious that II
Mr.. CLEvELAND's policy Is as reported. the
President shares THE Suns opinion that
annexation 10 constitutional. and rejects
the elaborate arguments OF Judge COOLEY
and tho other expounders Of the organic
law who have been laboring to convince him
that the annexation OF Hawaii Is not con-
sdtutional.
The proposed reference of the question
TO the whole body of Hawaii's inhabitants
would likewise signify that In Mr.. CLEvE-
LANDS view annexation. or form OF Ameri-
can proteotOrate. Is not intrinsically and
necessarily undesirable. II 1t were folly.
In his opinion. for us to acquire the islands
under any circumstances. he would never
propose that the people OF the islands be
required to decide whether the islands shall
DO taken in under the American flag. Mr..