The Yellowstone journal. [volume] (Miles City, Mont.) 1893-1901, 1893-11-22
Wednesday. November %. 1898.
MIR. BIOUNT APPEARS.


-
The latest news of the Hawaiin inn
broglio can scarcely be regarded as sat
isfactory by the most earnest supporters
of the administration. In line with the
very singular and wholly unprecedented
treatment of the country by the govern
ment in this affair. Mr.. Blount, the
special commissioner is at this stage
of the development brought forward to
tell his story. and as II is known that the
policy Of the administration is based up
on the report of Mr.. Blount. it is in this
connection especially interesting. but it
must be admitted by the impartial read
er that the document submitted by the
special commissioner bears every evil
dence that he vent to Honolulu with a
fixed determination to find a certain YER
dict. if possible. and that his investiga-
ions were pushed more in the spirit of
detective and prosecutor than an Impair
fial commissioner. The tone of the
document is in harmony with this line
of procedure from beginning to end, and
the brief extracts Of verbal examination
Of witnesses show. by the questions
asked. the line IT testimony that was
sought to be adduced. The best that
can be said of Mr.. Blount's report is that
it is ear parte. Whatever was his mis-
sion to the Islands, he seems to have di-
Dcted his attention mainly to ascertain
ing whether or not Minister Stevens in
any way aided and abetted the deposing
a Queen Lilioukalani. and the subse-
ssent formation of the provisional gov.
eminent. In this line OF investigation
- does not appear to have been very
successful. His pest witnesses are of
the class who saw a man who knew an
other man, who heard another man say.
There is not one scintilla Of direct evil
dence on this point. The principal wit
,ness. Wundenburg. says in n place in
Speaking of the progress of the revolu-
ton: The basis of action was the gen.
oral understanding that Minister Stew
Gus would keep his promise to support
the movement with the men from the |,
BOSTON" Yet the witness. who.claims
to have been one of the revolutionary
committee. nowhere makes 1t any palmer
xhat such a promise was given. Here is |
another choice bit of testimony on which
to base an international policy:
Blount endeavored to draw from Da-
MON An admission that the argument
1871 d l.ao - l
Surrender was that the United States
troops were across the street from the
government building. and in full sym
pathy with the revolution. Damon un
yillingly admitted that this was true.
saying, While ] was inthe station house
2 man named Bowler said 10 me. We're
prepared To resist. but | will never fight
against the American flag. Being
again pressed for information as to
whether the sympathy Of the United
States minister had beer talked about.
Damon replied. Il cannot remember any
definite thing. but from BOWERS remark
they must have thought that the United
States troops We're sent here for that
purpose.
And again the same witness Damon
being Intercepted by Commissioner
Biount,
Was the queen advised by her min,
to surrender because of the sym
pathy of the United States with the rev.
~olutionists:"
II know it was the queens idea that
was IN sympathy with the move
ment."
Nov. when this interview was going
bn between you. the cabinet ministers
the queen. il was known then that
the government had been ~recognized?"
Il do not think the queen was told.
| do not remember il having been spoken
IT," 4,
did you know it,"
Il think | knew it,"
Such testimony would not send a va
rant dog to the pound, and yet it is |
set forth by a special envoy of
government in his report. and as
accepted by the administration, Z
a reason for adopting an unprece- {
lsot-d and ~singularly unpopular policy
nth a friendly and neighboring power.
- wo have before remarked in this con-
the administration may yet
gove itself in the right in this matter,
ut it has not done 90 yet.