The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-07-14
Continued from Fifth page
compelled the American representa-

to act with promptness and vlgor.
These we're the reasons which led the
Provisional Government to ask our as
sistance, and these reasons are known to
the American public. But there we're
other potential reasons which pressed
upon me. For nearly half century
our Government had claimed rights
and interests in the Hawaiian islands
superior to any other foreign nations
Repeatedly there have been attempts
to induce our Government to agree to
dual or to tripartte responsibilities at
Honolulu. John M. Clayton, secretary
under President Taylor, repealed this
forty-three years ago, and such has been
our policy since. 1t was well known to
me that this idea of joint action had
not been given up, but was still insisted
on by one; if not two foreign represent
atives at Honolulu. There was one
Japanese war vessel in the harbor and
another powerful IRON clad-larger than
the "Boston"-had BIT en- telegraphed
for. knew the English war ship was
soon expected had reason to think,
and the Provisional Government had
reason to fear, that these foreign rep
resent ,tives would insist on the same
right to la I'd their naval forces which
we have exercised. We were five
thousand miles from Washington
with no cable from Honolulu to San
Francisco, and the long space between
mail steamers would not permit com
municating with our Government and
our receiving an answer in less than
three weeks. We knew not then that
Ashmead Bartlett, in the English
House of Commons, had asked the
Gladstone Ministry what it had done or
what it would do relative to English
interests at Honolulu, and that Lord
Grey, in behalf of the English Ministry,
had answered, that it would trust the
American Government to protect
English life and property in Hawaii.
We did know that the attitude
of the English Minister at Honolulu
was quite otherwise than this -
that he still wished to have lint
responsibility with the American Min
lister as to the landing of troops and the
maintenance of public order at Homo
lulu. l was, therefore, compelled to
decide whether | would risk the danger
of practical abandonment of the long
maintained American policy of non
joint responsibility in Hawaiian affairs,
To thus surrender in practice what we
had long claimed, knew well would
prove me unfit to be an American rep
resentatve. Here were difficulties which
could be effectively and conclusively
overcome only in one way, that was by
raising the flag over the Government
building as symbol of our superior
right to protect the Hawaiian Govern.
ment. This would not only prevent all
the dangers of riot and bloodshed, but
would shut out the landing of any other
naval force except our own. Captain
Wiltse saw this as soon and as clearly
as | did. With an American heart
loyal to the core, conscientious, firm,
selfpossessed, fully aware Of the grave
responsibility of the act, he was prompt
to do his duty. The officers under his
command were as intelligent and loyal
as their own veteran commander. The
following are the words read by Lieu
tenant Rush of the Boston on the steps
of the Government building simultane.
ously with raising the fig which was
immediately p lblished by posters and
in the newspapers.
To THE HAWAIIAN PEOPLE:
"At the request of the Provisional
Government of the Hawaiian Islands,
l hereby in the name of the United
States of America, assume protection Of
the Hawaiian Islands for the protection
of life and pr 'perty, and occupation OF
public buildings and Hawaiian soil, SC
far as may be necessary for the pur.
pose specified, but not interfering with
the ad ninistration of public affairs by
the Provisional Government
This action is taken pending, anc
subject to, negotiation at Washington
JOHN l.. STEVENS,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister
Penipotentiary of the United States
United States Legation, Feb. I, 1898
Approved and exeucted by
G. c. WILTsE,
Captain U. S. N,
Commanding the United States ShiI
Boston"
1t will be observed that the plain in,
tent of this little document is non.
interference with the sovereignty OF
hawaii-that it claimed to establish
only qualified and limited protect
crate, and instead of infringing on the
sovereignty Of the country, it was .
response to the only government 0
the Islands to aid it in maintaining it
own sovereignty. The salutlry effec
of thus raising the flag was immediat,
and remarkable. Quiet, confidence
perfect order, at once took the place o
panic, fear and distrust, Language
cannot adequately express the Joyful
feelings Of the large American colon
and of all the better elements of tn
other nationalities All save a fe,
sympathizers of our national rival
looked on the American flag floating il
those genial skies with profound re
spect. None more so than many G