Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-06-30
WHY THE FLAG WAS RAISED.
Ex-Ministsr Stevens Speaks Of His Expert
ence ut Honolulu.

Ex-Minister stevens Speaks OF His Expert
ence ut Honolulu.
Mr.. John L. Stevens, late United States min
ster 70 the Hawaiian Islands, spoke last night
At the invitation Of his fellow-citizens in the
Augusta, Me-, Open House on the raising of
the American flag in Honolulu. He declared
that the monarchy died Of Its own suicidal
blindness, incompetence and corruption. The
force Of the provisional government was I'M
equal to the preservation Of the peace and ap-
pealed to the American minister for assistance
The British minister at Honolulu wished TO
have Joint responsibility with the American
minister 10 to the landing Of troops and the
maintenance of public order at Honolulu For
nearly half . century our government had
claimed rights in the Hawaiian Islands superior
to those Of any other foreign nation Il was
feared that the japanese and other foreign rep
resentatives would insist on the same right TO
land their naval forces that the Americans had
exercised. To meet this emergency Mr. Stevens
decided. with the concurrence Of Capt wiltse
OF the United States cruiser Boston, to raise the
American flag, and it was done.
Mr. Stevens continued:
"The salutary effect Of thus raising the flag
was immediate and remarkable. Quiet, CONT
dence and perfect order at once took the place
of panic, fear and distrust Language cannot
adequately express the joyful feelings Of the
large American colony and Of all the better ele-
ments Of the other nstioualities
81 am but too glad TO believe that the present
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 Merrill. July
IL, 1887, powerfully contributed. The Ian
guage OF the dispatch. when an outbreak was
feared in the summer Of 1887, was the follow
ing:
1.-THE interests Of American citizens which
have grown up under the extension of COM
merce between Hawaii and the United States
and the guarantees OF the existing treaty M ust
not be jeopardized by internal confusion in the
government Of these islands. and il IL the duty
OF the United States to see that these interests
are not imperfled or injured aud to do all
things necessary for their just protection.
while We abstain from interfering with the
domestic AFFAIRS OF Hawaii, in accordance with
the policy and practice Of this government, yet
distractions to the channels OF legitimate com.
merce under existing law must not be allowed
and American citizens In Hawaii must be pro-
tected IN their persons and property by the
Representatives Of their country's law and
power, and no internal discord must be suffered
to impair them
These were the latest instructions to the
United States minister at Honolulu on file at
stances precisely like those which arose when
the Hawaiian monarchy fell IN January last
1t was the language Of this dispatch which
Capt. Wiltse Of the Boston had for his instruc-
ton
Mr.. Stevens concluded his address with an
argument in favor OF the annexation Of the
islands TO the United States.