The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1893-07-18

subject to, negotiation at Washington
JOHN l.. STEVENS.
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Plenipotentiary of the United States
United States Legation, February
! 1898.
Approved and executed by
G.. c. WILTsE,
Captain, us N,
Commanding the United States ship
Boston"
1t will be observed that the plain
intent of this little document is nom
interference with the sovereignty of
Hawaii-that it claimed to establish
only qualified and limited protector
ate, and instead of infringing on the
sovereignty of the country, it was a
response to the only government of
the islands to aid it in maintaining
its own sovereignty. The salutary
effect of thus raising the flag was inn
mediate and remarkable. Quiet, con-
fidence, perfect order, at once took the
place of panic, fear and distrust.
Language cannot adequately express
the joyful feelings of the large Ameri-
can colony and of all the better ele-
1uCnLC vi luC all
save few sympathizers with our
national rivals looked on the Ameri-
can flag floating in those genial skies
with profound respect. None more so
than many of the native Hawaiians.
1t has been said that President Har-
rison and Secretary Foster disap-
proved of our action. / have never so
understood it. Secretary Foster after
our action was taken, did carefully de-
fine Just how far the effect of our quail
flied protectorate and flag raising
should go, and his definition and in
struction on the subject We're Just
what the Provisional government and
the American representative intended
when the flag was raised, and just
what the Provisional government and
American representative thought and
intended that our published document
and official action expressed. The one
essential and effective Lstep we
took was to raise the tiag-we only
did that, and precisely that President
Harrison and Secretary Foster never
disapproved. 1t remained up seventy
five days. During that time all had
been accomplished which had been
promised and expected when it was
raised. In that time two foreign war
ships had arrived at Honolulu, but
the American flag was up and thus
all danger of dual or tripartite ar
rangement as to Hawaiian affairs was
avoided, and the just American pre-
dominance successfully maintained.
They are dull statesmen and poorly
diplomatists who do not
know the advantage which the party
has who is in actual possession. / am
but too glad to believe that the pres
ent administration has no thought of
giving up this vantage ground, to
which the bold and vigorous dispatch
of Secretary Bayard, approved by
President Cleveland, to Minister Mer
rill, July u, 1887, powerfully contri-
buted.
The language of the dispatch when
an outbreak was feared in the summer
of 1887, was the following:
"The interests of American citizens
which has grown up under the extern
sion of commerce between Hawaii and
the United States and the guarantees
of existing treaty must not be jeOpGr-
died By Internal confusion Ia the
government of these islands, and IL
is the duty Of the United States to
see that these interests are not I'M
periLEed or injured, and to do all
things necessary for their Just pro
lection.
While we abstain from interfering
with the domestic affairs of Hawaii,
in accordance with the policy and
practice of this government, yet OBJ
8tructjon TO the channels of legiti-
mate comm cree under eristiRg Tar
must not be dLLoWed, and american
in Hdt0aii must be prOtec-
ted in their persons and property
by the representatives Of their cOun-
try's La1O and pO1Uer, and no inter
nal diScOrd must be suffered to i'm
pair hen1.n
These were the latest instructions to
the United States minister at Homo
lulu, on file at the legation, for guild
ance in case of circumstances precisely
like these which arose when the Ha-
waiian monarchy fell in January last.
1t was the language of this dispatch
which Captain Wiltze of the Boston
had for his instruction.
The essential objects to be accom- I
plished by raising the flag were gained
during the seventy-five days its bright,
starry folds were before the people of
Hawaii. The Provisional government
had secured the necessary time to or
ganize an efficient police and military
'orce, to substitute reliable officials in
place of the unreliable, and to CONSOLE !
late the new government, with the APP |
prevail of the best and most responsible /
men of all the islands. That country
low has. the best government it has
ever had, administered by men of in |
diligence, education and character, |
md as thoughIy American in SYM (
lathy and interest as we have at the 1
head of any of our American states I
ind territories. That government and .
hose back of it-all the responsible /
md the best critizens of the islands /
lsk for the annexation of Hawaii as a /
erritOry of the United States. This is
lesired because it is believed to be
Dest for the native as well as the for
ign born population of the islands.
The Hawaiian monarchy has been es-
,ecially injurious to the welfare of the
lative Hawaiians The government I
md those supporting it desire annexa-
ion because they justly regard present
q WA II i'm reality an American colony !