Evening journal., 1893-02-11
Minister stevens PrOtsotO rate.


Minister stevens Proteoto rate.
New York Times.
1t Is unfortunate at the present june
ture tn hat there is no cable communica-
tion between Honolulu and this country.
We are dependent for information re-
garding the situation there upon state
ments, at exasperatingly long intervals,
from these who are interested in bring
ing about certain political results on the
Hawaiian Islands, and it is impossible to
consider the course of events there
with a acomplete understanding of their
significance. The action of Minister
Stevens in assuming protectorate over
the islands in support of the Provisional
Government looks upon the face Of it
like another move in the project of an
nexstion, intended so far as possible
to commit our government in advance
either to that project or to permanent
plan of protection
IL may be that the action of Mr..
Stevens was made necessary in order to
maintain the status quo pending the
negotiations at Washington, and
to protect the lives and property
of American citizens Accompanying
the announcement of this provisional
protectorate are intimations Of hostile
agitation against the existing govern
ment, and even of dissension in its own
councils It is evident from the some
what hasty legislation Of the provisional
government that is reported that it has
found it necessary to guard against
counter-revolution, which might not
only upset the plans Of those who are
working for annexation, but lead TO dis
order and injury TO the persons aud
property of American residents at the
Hawaiian capital at time when there is
no permanent government which could
be held responsible and from which in
demnity could be exacted. Minister
Stevens is reported to be a man of dis
cretion and sound judgment, and IL may
be assumed that he considered the course
which he has adopted necessary 90
ths protection Of the rights Of Ameri-
can citizens and the maintenance of
public safety. His means Of judging are
much better than ours. Doubtless the
American flag over Aliuolani Hall and
the support OF the marines Of the Boston
viii be sufficient TO keep the Provisional
Government In control until some per-
manent plan for the administration of
the islands has been devised In his
proclamation Mr.. Stevens announces
that his action is taken pending and
subject to negotiations at Washing
ton" and Of course the pro-
tectorate is merely provisional,
ike the present government. It may
serve the purpose Of holding the situation
in statu quo and maintaining peace
pending the solution of the problem of
the future government of Hawaii, but
it is calculated to place the onus Of solv-
ing that problem more heavily upon the
United States. Our government can
hardly withdraw the support of the
provisional government to which it is
thus committed until some arrangement
for permanent government has been
made, and it may be- obliged TO take lead
ing part in that arrangement in order to
extricate itself and at the same time
make ITS own interests secure. It is
case Of ENHANCEMENT into which our
government has been brought by those
who deposed the native Queen and set
up the provisional government, but from
which II will have TO extricate itself by
some definite policy. Can that be done
short Of annexing the islands and assum
ing direct control over the administra-
tion Of their ahaiisl To withdraw all
interposition aud allow matters to take
their course can hardly be thought Of
It would either result in anarchy and the
risk Of serious injury 10 American inter
ests on the islands, or in the restoration
of the native monarchy undor the pro-
teetorate Of some European power,
which would almost certainly be
that Of Great Britain. Our National
interests would not allow us to permit
that. Either there would have to be
some form of permanent government
established with the countenance of the
United States and with its influence
dominant, or there would have 20 be an.
nexation outright The former we
could hardly expect without assuming a
responsibility corresponding to the ad-
vantages secured, which would mean a
permanent protectorate. Whether this
or annexation is 10 be the result Of a
situation which there is too much reason
to believe has been brought about by
those who desire % regain the advantage
In our sugar market that was lost by
the removal Of the duties on raw sugar
which did not apply to that produced in
the Sandwich Islands-and the provision
for bounty on he domestic product
here, is the question with which our
government has to deal