New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-14
DIPLOMATIC LEGERDEMAIN.
GRESHAlr,S STRANGE POLICY.
AN ENVOY ACCREDITED TO A FRIENDLY
POWER WITH HOSTILE PURPOSE
IN VIEW
HOW CAN HIS EXPECTED ACTION BE ANYTHING
BUT WAR; PRESIDENT SAID TO HAVE
EXCEEDED HIS FUNCTIONS AND
USCRpED THOSE OF CONGRESS-A
TALK WITH JOHN \. KAs-
soN-MINIsTEI THURS
TON IGNORED.
rny TELEGRAPH TO TIFF TRIBrSv

sON-MINISTEE THURS
TON IGNORED.
rnY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBrxT
Washington Nov 13.-The news brought from
Honolulu to-day, though antedating the pur-
posed execution of the Administrations prof.
ect of n forc!ble restoration of the feeble and
discredied Liliuoks an to the Hawaiian throne
is considered here fully to confirm the admis-
sions made by Secretary Gresham that his
policy in Hawaii is to be one Of unconcealed
aggression. amounting practically to an open
declaration OF The press dispatches from
San Francisco declare explicitly that Minister
Williss credentials this country's agent in
Hawaii are addressed to President Dole-an
ndsputable recognition the part Of the
United States. even down to November 7. of the
sovereignty and authority Of the existing Pro-
vsiona Govcrnment-and the newly arrivetd
Minister is described as requesting President
Dole to name "A day which he may be al
lowed to present "A certifcaton of the authority
with which he has been clothed by President
Cleveland.
SOME DIPLOMATIC LEGrRDEMAIN.
Minister Willis is thus, by the Administra
TONS formal confession. put in the position
Of an envoy to "A recognized foreign state. and
to become invested with plcnary power to over
turn the government to which he Is accredited
and to set up in it's place "A semi-barbarous
sovereignty no one in public life here can
clearly sec. There can be no doubt. however,
that IL was the Administrators purpose 10
have Minister Willis soon practicable
after landing at Honolulu and presenting his
credentials. assume practical dictatorship and
call bo marines % invade
the Hawaiian capital and expel the Provisional
Government. with which. the representative
Of this country he was still ostensbiy on
friendly diplomatic terms. Prominent officials
here said. indeed. to have been greatly sur
prised to-day that the steamer reaching San
Francisco did not bring word that this high
handed and arbitrary violation Of Hawaiian
sovereignty had not been accomplished by Mr..
Willis within twenty-four hours after his
rival at the seat Of government in Hawaii.
Another steamer IL expected on Thursday and
both the President and Secretary Gresham will
he disappointed. II is understood. If the mails
do not show that the flag Of the Provisional
Government has been torn down by United
States Naval forces. and the colors of the de-
based and degraded native monarchy have been
hoisted 10 the peak OF the government house
instead.
Such an act oi violence on the part OF an
American Minister II committed against the
protest and resistance Of the legal and recog-
nized Government Of Hawaii. will not be con-
strIed here or elsewhere as anything less than
an open declaration of war between this coun-
try and the Hawaiian Republic. and there are
few men in public life In Washington who do
not regard the Administrators instructions to
Minister Willis and Admiral Irwin to restore
I.nuokalani by force as plain and explicit
violation Of the constitutional restriction on the
exercise of the war-making power. which is
specifically connded To Congress alone.
THE PRESIDENTS ASSUMPTION OF AUTHORITY.
1t is known that in the opinion Of the leading
senators in both political parties who have the
direction Of the foreign policy of the country
in the legislative branch. the President and
Secretary Gresham have grossly exceeded
their functions In executing in secret a delibcr
ate assault upon Il recognized and friendly
state with which. as far as the exercise of the
legitimate war-making power of the Govern
mont il concerned. this country Is still on an
undisputed basis of amity and peace. 1t is. in
deed fortunate for the undsturbed execution
| Of Mr. Clevcands programme of a royalist
restoration In Hawaii that Congress cannot as
semblc until there Is no longer possible
chance Of It's frustrating the royallst re-entry so
carefully and surreputiously maturcd. both
here and In Honolulu The Democratic men,
bers Of the Senate Committee on Foreign Rela-
tions are not likely to be backward In express
! ing the grievance they have against the Execu-
tive in conccaling to the last moment the tenor
Of Minister Williss instructions and. after Sc
curing his confirmation on evasvc and nom
committal information about his mission. an
nouncing its true purpose only when a lcgisla-
| tive protest against the wholly unjustiiable
character Of the attack. planned upon II
! friendly government. is beyond the range Of
| practicabiliy
Leading Democrats in Congress have borne
with impatience Mr.. Clcveland's notorious habit
Of arrogating 10 himself both legislative and
| executive functions They have tolerated, perhaps
too readily his assertion of controlling authority
over the legislation to be passed by Democratic
Congress But they show signs now of draw
| ing the line" in the Senate at least. when the
| Executive presumes to constitute himself the
sole arbitcr Of international right and to en-
poy IN secret and unauthorized political pro
jccts the power to declare war reserved to be
exercised exclusively by the two houses of Con-
gress 1t may be safely predicted that two
weeks from now. when Congress meets again.
/
| against the Hawaiian Republic will not go un-
! challenged or unrebuked and that the seal
Of legislative condemnation however Intellectual
! II may then be. will be put upon the arbitrary
and unlawful treatment Of an Independent SOW
ercSny decreed by the Administration through
a petty and dscredtable zeal to cast oppro-
brium a portion of the diplomatic record OF
It's more patriotic and publIc-spirited prede-
ccssor In Office.
VIEWS OF JOHN A. KASsON.
Ex-Representatve John A. Kasson. who mas
served as American Minister at both Berlin ana
Vienna. is recognized as one OF the best IN
formed men in public life on all questions
touching international law and American dipio-
macy. His opinion on the Administration
Hawaiian policy is entitled to carry great
weight with all unprejudced observers speak
ing to-day OF Secretary Greshams extraordinary
! letter stating the Administrations restoration
programme. Mr.. Kasson said
cannot accent tho hypOtheSiS OF tHe press