Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-03-17
IT Is A SMALL ArrArR.
The Hawaiian Civil Rights League Com.
posed Of Seventeen Persons.


The Hawaiian Civil Rights League Com.
posed OF Seventeen Persons.
A San Francisco dispatch says: A cor
respondent was present at the meeting
at which the Hawaiian civil rights league was
formally organized. The meeting was called
at the house of John Colburn, the late minister
OF the interior under Liliuokalani Seventeen
persons, all proposed members Of the league,
were the only ones present.
G. W. Ashford, brother Of Col volney Ash
ford. the refulee, read draf: Of q constitution
drawn up BY q committee, the gist Of which was
that the object Of the league shall be I. pro-
mote by all legal means the love Of country and
Of free representative government, and to en-
courage and promote such action on the part Of
the people Of Hawaii irrespective of race nation
atty or past political affiliations It WILL he as
America and Of he world at large
with the political conditions and sentiments
prevailing in the islands to the ends that no il
liberal or despotic schemes of government may
be imposed upon the lalI by any foreign
power and to preserve to Hawaii in her future
political career. whether under the Hawaiian
flag any other flag. continuance OF the
privileges of self-government such as she has
eBjoyed during the last half century.
Provision is made for the organization of
island precinct clubs, any person over twenty
years OF age who shall pledge himself to sup
port the objects Of the league being eligible to
membership. The constitution was adopted.
When the time came for signing the constitu-
ton Samuel Parker, the ex-queens premier.
and one or two others who had not participated
in the debate held back.
Mr.. Colburu announced that it was the inten-
ton Of the meeting to make Parker president
Of the league. Parker. however, positively de-
back to his plantation shortly and that he had
not yet decided upon his course with regard to
the objects of the league
1t was evident Mr.. Parker did not cara to be
associated with the movement. On Parker's
refusal to accept the nomination the office of
president was passed until the league could be
established in other islands and Colburn was
chosen vice president at large. He withdrew in
favor Of C. W. Ashford.
The Advertiser learning of the meeting
printed a summary of the proceedings the next
morning, March 2. under the heading 1.-The
Black Flag 1.-The royalists are at work again
Following the article came editorial few
days later in which it said: 1T plain pike
staff that this civil rights league is an anti
American organization made up OF rank royal
lists, contrived to delay annexation and If pos.
sible to prevent it altogether. 1t Is intended
to serve IS a nucleus for indictments and all
who sympathize with the desire to replace
present order by former anarchy"
MINISTER STEVENS DEFENSE.
"While have been accused of precipitating
q revolution" said Minister Stevens. "the fact
remains, and will be vouched forby many here,
that did not desire the responsibilities that
would devolve upon me in the event Of a change
in the government Of Hawaii, and when the
Jones ministry was appointed and went with
the Boston to Hilo was relieved. for thought
the government was in good hands. We
returned, however, to find the best
ministry in some respects that tine islands
had ever had ousted from Office and different
set in their places. The revolution followed
and can say that in taking the course which L
did was simply following the policy specif-
ically laid down under Secretary Bayard for
shows, has been the logical policy of the United
States. There was time when 1t was thought
by our Representatives in Congress that coal
ing station and naval rendezvous at Pearl har-
Dor would amply manifest our authority here,
but that view would not have been generally
sustained in the face of the revolution"
HIS PRIVATE LETTERS PUBLISHED.
Minister Stevens said that letters which he
had sent to Washington bearing on the affairs
on the island we're not written with view to
publication, but he saw from newspapers that
they had been given out, together with the
other official documents. These letters. he
said, expressed his views. although they might
be open to criticism Of the opposition here. He
thought that the treaty as published was a care
fully drawn and satisfactory document, and it
might be that the Senate would deem it wise to
ratify it ere long.
'.Did not England he said, stake stand in
Samoa because she was practically forced
thereto by the cry Of the Australian colonies
that they were being betrayed by her inaction.
So here any great delay, if such were likely,
might impair our relations with England.
Canada and the Canadian Pacific railroad.
which is straining after every point to
maintain its commercial supremacy, is
urging the English government to action
and it may lead to protest from the Glad
stone ministry, which would not be desira-
BILE. A popular vote on the question of annex
alton taken here would be useless. for, with the
exception of a certain element and a few inter-
ested persons Of prominence, there is no strong
feeling against annexation. l am in communi-
cation with prominent men of the other islands
and they assure me that there is. if anything,
sentiment in favor Of it among the better class
Of the natives"