The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1893-12-19

lreaSOnS now existing for annexation
are much stronger than they were
then. I cannot refrain from expressing
the opinion, with emphasis, that the
1 golden hour is at hand.''
These declarations certainly show a
disposition and condition of mind which
may be usefuily recalled when inter
lpreting the significance of the minis
ters conceded acts, or when consider
ling the probabilities Of such conduct
on his part as may not be admitted.
In this view it seems proper to also
quote letter written by the minister
to the secretary of state, on the 9Th OF
March, 1892 nearly a year prior to the
first step taken toward annexation
After stating the possibility that the
existing government of Hawaii might
be overturned by an orderly and peace
full revolution, Minister Stevens writes
as follows:
Ordinarily. in like circumstances,
the rules seem to be to limit the land
ing and movement of United States
forces in foreign waters and dominion
Exclusively to the protection of the
United States legation and of the lives
land property of American citizens
But as the relations of the United
States to Hawaii are exceptional, and
in former years the United States Off
Gals here took somewhat exceptional
faction in circumstances of disorder, I
desire to know how far the present
minister and naval commander NAV
ldeviate from established international
rules and precedents in the coming IL
cies indicated in the first part of this
dispatch"
To a minister of this temper, full of
zeal for annexation, there seemed to
arise in January, 1893, the precise OPP
portunity which by a timely deviation
from established International rules
and precedents, might be improved to
successfully accomplish the great OBJ
ject in view, and we are quite prepared
for the exultant enthusiasm with
which, in a letter to the state depart
ment dated February 1, 1898. he de-
clares:
1.-The Hawaiian pear is now fully ripe
and this is the golden hour for the
United States to pluck it."
AS a further illustration Of the activ-
Iity of this Diplomatic representative,
Iattention is called to the fact that on
the day the above letter was written.
apparently unable longer to restrain
his ardor, ne issued proclamation
whereby, Tin the name of the United
States" he assumed the protection of
the Hawaiian islands, and declared
said action was taken pending and
subject to the negotiations at Wash
iington.''
Of course. this assumption of pro-
Electorate was promptly disavowed by
our government, but the American flag
remained over the government build
ing at Honolulu and our forces re
NAMED on guard until April and after
Blounts arrival on the scene, when
both were removed.
The Cause Leading Up.
A brief statement of the occurrences
that led to the subyersion of the consti-
tutional government Of Hawaii in the
interests of annexation to the United
States will exhibit the true complex
ion Of that transaction.
On Saturday, January IA, 1898, the
queen of Hawaii, who had been con.
templating the proclamation Of the new
constitution had, in Difference to the
wishes and remonstrances of her cabi.
net, renowned the project for the pres
ent, at least.
Taking this relinquished purpose as
the basis of action, citizens Of HoIolu-
lu, numbering from fifty to one hun
dren, mostly resident aliens, met in
q private Office and selected q social
ed committee of safety, composed OF
thirteen persons. seven Of whom were
foreign subjects. and consisted of five
Americans, one Englishman, one Ger
man.
This committee, though it's designs
were not revealed, had in view nothing
less than annexation to the United
States and between Saturday, the 14th
and the following Monday, the 10th OF
January, though exactly what actor
was taken may not be clearly disclosed
| they were certainly in communication
with the United States minister
On Monday morning, the queen and
J the cabinet made a public proclama-
ton, with notice, which was specially
served upon the representatives of al
foreign governments, that any changes
in the constitution would be fought
only in methods provided by that in
Strument.
Nevertheless, at the call, and under
the auspices of the committee of safety
a mass meeting of citizens was held
that day to protest against the queen
alleged illegal, unlawful proceedings
and purposes.
Even at this meeting, the committee
of safety concluded to disguise its
real purpose, contented themselves with
procuring the passage of a resolution
denouncing the queen ana empowering
a committee to devise ways and means
Ito secure the permanent maintenance
, Of law and order and the protection OF
life, liberty, and property in Hawaii.
This meeting adjourned between
and 4 in the afternoon. On the same
day, Immediately after such adjourn
ment, the committee, unwilling to take
further steps without the cooperation
of the United States minister, addressed
d note representing that public safety
was menanced, lives and property il
danger, and concluded as follows:
I'VE are unable to protect OURSELVES
without aid, and therefore pray for
the protection of the United States
forces
Whatever may be thought of the
othsr contents of this note, the abso-
lutte truth of this latter statement is
incontestable When the note was
written and delivered, the committee
50 far as it appears, had neither mar
nor gun at command, and after the
delivery they became panic-stricken al
their own position and they sent some
of their neighbors TO interview TIL:
! minister and request him not to land
the United States forces till the next
morning, but he replied the troops had
been ordered, and whether the commit
tee was ready or not, the landing
should take place, and so it happened
that on the 18th day of January, 1893
noon, a detachment of marines from
THE United States steamer Boston, with
|. two pieces of artillery, was landed al
Honolulu, The men, upwards of 16t
lin all, were supplied with double cart
ridge belts fitted with ammunition anC
!, with haversackS and canteens, and
were accompanied by the hospital corps
, with stretchers and medical supplies
This demonstration upon the soil Of
| Honolulu was itself an act of war
unless made, either with the consent
of the government of Hawaii, or fol
the bona fide purpose of protecting the
imperilled lives and property of citi
zens of the United States; but there
: is no pretenSe of any such a consent
on the part of the government Of TIL.
, queen, which was at that time undis
, puted, and was both a de facto and I