The record-union., 1893-06-01
Correspondence Associated Press.l

Correspondence Associated Press.l
Honolulu, May 24.-The situation is
at present more interesting than it has
been for several months, and the whole
town is agog with excitement over the
late developments. First came the arrest
of Messrs. Bush and Kenyon, editors of
native papers, on May 18th, on charges of
libeling the Provisional Government and
Minister Stevens; then the publication of
Commissioner Blount's instructions
from Secretary Gresham, and Blounts
warning to Annexationists that they
could not depend upon help from the
United States in case the Royalists at
tempted to reinstate their Queen; then
the news of Blount's appointment as
United States Minister to Hawaii, and
finally the attempt of the Provisional
Government to silence Charles Nordhotf,
correspondent of the New y York Herald,
and Minister Blounts interference in his
behalf
All sorts of alarming rumors are afloat,
and even Minister BIount, who all along
has been predicting that there will be no
trouble, IS not now so confident.
BLoUNT HAS SPOKEN.
"Blount has spoken" was the news
that spread rapidly over this unusually
peaceful town on the evening of May
18th. President Cleveland's Commis-
sioner, without any warning, broke his
long silence and gave to the newspapers
1or publication his letter of instructions
from Secretary Gresham. But Mr..
Gresham's instructions, while interest
ing, were lost sight of in the excitement
created by his own short sentence at the
end of Mr.. Blount's communication.
The letter reads as follows:
HONOLULU, II. l., May 10, 1898.
To the People Of the HdUduuIe Islduets:
! deem 1t proper now to publish the fol-
lowing instructions under which l am
now acting:
DEPARTMENT OF STATE,
WAsHINGToN, March II, is93.}
The Hon. James II. B0U1,t, ktc.-sIR: The
situation created in the Hawaiian Islands by
the recent deposition of Queen Liliuokalani
and the erection of n provisional Govern
lnent demands the fullest consideration of the
President, and in order to obtain Trustworthy
Information on this subject as well as Tor the
u!scharl OF other duties herein specified, he
has decided to dispatch you 10 the Hawaiian
Islands as his special Commissioner, in
which capacity you will herewith receive
commission ana also letter whereby the
President accredits you to the President OF
the Executive { and Advisory Councils of the
Hawaiian Islands.
The comprehensive, delicate and confiden-
tial character OF your mission can now only
be briefly outlined, the details of its execution
'i'eins necessarily left in great measure to
your good judgment and wise discretion
ou Will investigate and fully report TO the
President all the Facts you can learn respet.t-
ing the condition of affairs IN the Hawaiian
lsHnds, the causes OF the revolution by which
tHeNlUecn's Government was overthrown, the
farrrnr .Af
thority, and, in general, all that can Iully en-
liSnten the President touching the subject of
your mission.
To enable you to fulfill this charge your AL
thority in all matters touching The relations
OF THIS Government to the existing or other
Government of the Islands, and the protection
OF our citizens therein, is paramount and in
you alone, acting in cooperation with the
commander OF the naval forces is vested fun
discretion ana power to degermine when such
forces should be landed or withdrawn
You are, however. authorized to avail YOUR
self OF sucn aid and Information as Won may
desire from the present Ministerof the United
States at Honolulu, John l.. Stevens VINO " in
continue until further notice to perform tho
usual functions attaching to his Office not ill
consistent with the powers intrusted TO YOU
An instruction VIII be sent 10 Mr. Stevens di-
rectng him to facilitate your Presentation to
the head of the Government upon your ar
rival, and TO render you all neeued assistance
The withdrawal from the Senate OF the re-
ceutly signed treaty of annexation for re-ex-
animation by the President. leaves its subject
4altei III tkiGN stllCt, anu NOu are not charged
with any duty IN respect thereto. 1t may be
well, however, for you 10 dispel any osSiple
misapprehension which ITS withdrawal NAV
have excited touching the entire friendIinesS
o the President and the Government of the
Cnitt states toward the people of the Ua-
waiian Islands, or the earnest solicitude here
felt for their welfare, tranquility and pro-
greSs.
Historical prccedents, and tie general cour,e
of the United states, authorize the employ
Iucnt of It's armed force in foreign territorv
Tor the security of the lives and
American citizens and for the suppression of
lawless and tGmultuous acts threatening
them; and the powers conferred to that end
upon the representatives OF the United States
Rre both neCJ sSary and proper subject always
10 the exercise OF a SOUND discretion in their
application.
In the Judgment of the President your an
tbority, as wei as that of the comnauuer OF
the naval forces in Hawaiian waters. should
be and is limited, in the use of phyS!cai torce
TO such measures as are necessary to protect
tuc persons and property OF our citizens: and
while abstaining from any manner of inter
Terence with the domestic concerns OF the
Islands. you should ind cate your willingness
10 interfere with your friendly Offices IN the
interest uf n peaceful settlement OF troubles
within the limits OF sound discretion
Should it be necessary 10 land an armed
force upon Hawaiian territory on occasions of
popular disturbance, when the local author
ity may De unable 10 give adequate protection
10 the life ana property OF citizens of the
United states, the assent OF such authority
should first be obtained, if it can be done
without prejudice 10 the interests involved
Your power IN this regard should not how
ever. be claimed to the exclusion Of similar
measures by the representatives OF other
powers for the protection Of the lives and
property OF their citizens or subjects residing
In the islands.
While tie United States claim no riobt tn
interfere IN the political or domestic affairs
or in the internal conflicts OF the Hawaiian
Islands, otherwise than as herein stated, or
Tor the purpose OF Inatntat ming any treaty or
other rights which they possess this Govern
luent Will adhere TO its consistent and estab-
lished policy IN re.ation to them. and il will
not &C iuieSce in domestic interference by
ether powers.
The foregoing general exposition of the
President views will indicate the safe courses
within which your action should be shaped
and mSrk the limits OF your discretion in
calling upon the naval commander for CO.
operation.
TIE United States revenue cutter Rush is
under orders TO await you at san Francisco
and convey GU TO Honolulu.
\ Stenographic clerk will be detailed to ac.
company you and remain subject TO Your
orders.
1t is expected that you will use all con.
veuieut dispatch for the fulfiilment OF your
mission, as II Is the Presidents desire to nave
the results before him at the earliest possible
Gay. Beside the connected report you are eN-
Iected to furnish, you will from time TO time
a. occasion may offer, eorreSl oad with the
Secretary of state, communicating intorma-
1ion or soliciting special instruction IN such
Joints as you may deem necessary. In case
OF urgency you may telegraph, either In plain
text or in the cypher of the Navy Depart
ment. through the kind Offices OF the Ad
miral commanding. which may be sent TO W
a. Cooper, United States Dispatch Agent al
san Francisco, 10 be transmitted thence.
Keposing the amplest confidence in your
ability and zeal tor the realization OF thu
trust connded TO you, am. sir. your obedieni
servant. W. q. GRESHAM.
While I shall refrain from interference
between conflicting forces of whatever
nationality tor supremacy, | Will protect
American citizens not participating in
such conflict. Very respectfully,