The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-01


found necessary.
In the first place let us look at the
case as Mr.. Cleveland found it on his
return to power. Arevolulion had oc'
cured in Honolulu, which is the seat OF
government and which practically is all
there is to Hawaii. The queen had
been deposed, provisional government
had replaced the monarchy and had
been recognized by all the powers save
England. That provisional govorn-
ment had sent accredited ENJOYS to the
United States to negotiate treaty of
annexation. The treaty had been pre-
pared and sent to the United States
senate.
The question of annexation is not a
new one. 1t had been previously con-
templated by several administrations in
this country both Democratic and Re-
publican.
Mr.. Cleveland on his restoration TO
power immediately withdrew the treaty
from the senate because ne deemed it
necessary to make an investigation.
In matter of so much importance such
an investigation would naturally be
placed in the hands of non-partisan
committee jointly selected by the senate
and the president, for the treaty powers
of the United States are not vested in
either the president or the senate alone.
Instead Of such committee and with
out consulting the senate Mr.. Cleveland
appoints an individual as commissioner
with paramount powers to investigate.
In selecting this commissioner he chose
Democrat and a Southern man, and
one whose prejudices would naturally be
against any action taken by a Republi-
can administration. His commissioner
sailed for his post Of duty, and two days
after his arrival sent word back to the
president that great wrong had been
done and SO far as he was concerned his
mind was virtually made up at that
time, for so far as can be learned from
his future correspondence, he never
once altered his opinion.
Proceeding on that line he availed
himself of the friendship of the queens
followers and her English sympathizers,
ignoring absolutely the reputable citi.
zens on the islands, or the members Of
the existing government.
He returned home and President
Cleveland, acting upon his recommends
tion, sends minister accredited to the
provisional government and also ac-
credited with like powers to be used in
case of restoration. Nor did his sup
ply of letters Of credit stop here. He
was given extra ordinary powers placing
him in absolute command of the naval
forces at Honolulu, and his instructions
were to ''repair the wrong that had been
done," and which, in the language of the
secretary Of state that was nothing short
of the restoration Of the queen would
right this terrible wrong"
Now then was Cleveland sincere Had
be been would one commissioner been
appointed Would not committee
composed of Democrats aud Republi-
cans both been selected, and would not
their investigation assumed a wider
scope?
Would not the minister who repre-
sented the United States at the time the
revolution took place aud the naval
officers on duty have been asked to mar
rate their side Of the story? In short would
there not have been careful, search
ing, non-partisan investigation made?
But the facts are that Gresham, the
present secretary Of state, is intensely
hostile TO his former friends, as rene
gade always is. Sprockels, whose per.
sonal interests depend upon restora-
tion of the monarchy, the British off,
cial representative, whose relative is the
reputed husband Of the queens nat
ural successor, and the New York Her
aids correspondent, whose son is in the
employ Of Spreckels, were the chosen
friends and advisers of Mr.. Blount.
These are the facts in the case, and
lead to the inevitable conclusion that
the administration did not intend to get
at the facts, but having decided upon a
plan of action, undertook to make
so-caffed Investigation in order to coll
lect ex parte testimony to carry out and
give color to its action.