New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-04-27
~ lNERICIN MiNINIER

The disposition manifested in certain quar-
tors 10 di-crcdit our Minister 10 Hawaii on the
ground that he has been loyal American, ex-
tiemcly useful 10 his county, efficient III the
promotion Of il. interests and successful in d.
Tending il against he intrigues and con>pirIc.eS
# those who seek To overthrow American in
huencc in Hawaii. furnishes dislgrceablc ell-
dence Of the fact that there is room in this
CON ry for the development Of patriotism. The
relation OF Hawaii - the United states may not
inaltly be compared with the relation OF Egypt
10 England All. certainly. that can be claimed
10 Justify the British occupation Of Egypt, en-
force, our duty 10 annex Hawaii. The differ
ence in the two conditions is simply this-that
the people and rulers OF Egypt aic opposed TO
highlands domination. and that France and
Turkey claim TO have rights in Egypt compar-
able with England's while Hawaii, b. the ad
mission Of all nations l., peculiarly within the
sphere Of American influence. and the people
resident there who have tangible interests in
the islands are sincerely and ardcntly DESTROYS
of its incorporation into The Union. The acts
Of British agents i'll EgyptacS remarkable for
their audacity and then disregard OF the Sis
capabilities Of The Egyptian natives and of
CIueT llIdl UdllIu -,
both parties and by the public press Of England
without exception aS wise, patriotic and de-
serving OF applause and reward. II docs not
appear that Minister stevens has done anything
in Hawaii except upon the request Of the ac-
knowlcdgod Government OF the islands and in
accordance with the desires Of the Hawaiian
people. He has simply acted the part of a pru-
dent American Minister. iegaIdlu OF his Ic-
.ponSibilitcs and IeSolute in the performance
Of his duty: but the fact that he has Interpreted
his duty 10 be the advancement Of his couniry'S
influence is seized upon by certain section of
the Democratic party, apparently with the sym
patty of President Cleveland. aS ground for
abusing him. II appears I" be the reason of
the Governments action III d>patching y special
commissioner to Hawaii with "palamouni au-
thoIiiy III all matters affecting the relations
of that country and ours.
In thiS aspect Of Mr.. Clcvclands policy it is
offensive 10 all intelligent and patriotic Amcli-
cans. They are Il little tired Of having their
representatives. abroad abused by Democratic
newspapers and politicians for no better reason
than because lh"y have upheld the authority
and dignity of the Intod states. II was thus
that Mr. Egan was misu>cd while with great
sagacty, moderation and good sense he was
endeavOrng 10 compose or difficulties with
Chill. IL is getting 10 be characteristic Of the
democratic party II show diSrIst of any diplo-
matte officer OF the Government who seems 10
think the American flag a significant emblem.
Minister Stevens is accused of encouraging the
revolution in Hawaii, whereas it is notorious
that no absent from the capital when il
accurroI that hn had hqpn n hcpu. F.r To-, .,
that the revolution was prccipitatod by Queen
LiluOkalani's arbitrary and unlawful Conduct
in attempting to promulglin a new Con>fi,u-
ton ling for herself absolute power and that
she took the occasion of Minister Steycns's alb
sence as Opportunc for the performance of this
act. Ills recognition of the Provisional GOV
eminent was prompt, but its promptnoSs was
more than justified by the similar action of
every other foreign representative except Eng
lands. and that was nOt long delayed The
fact that Minister StcvcnSs opinions were fire.
quently expressed 10 the Provisional Govern
ment concerning the administration of affairs
pending the negotiation At Washington was n
necessary result of the appeal for annexation.
and he would have been false to his trust had
he failed to see to it that nothing was done
prcjudclal 10 annexation and that the conduct
OF the affairs of the islands WAS such ~ would
make the situation acceptable 10 the American
Government in case Commissioner ThurSton's
negotiation was prosecuted to successful con-
clusion.
beyond this Minister stevens has done moth
ing, and it Is National reproach that President
Cleveland shOild have Inundated him by send
ing out another representative to inquire into
his acts. They were acts that needed not in
quiry, but confirmation not criticism, but ap.