Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-18


"One of two courses seems to me absolutely
necessary to be followed, either bold and
vigorous measures for annexation or a
customs union an ocean cable from the
Californian coast to Honolulu, Pearl Harbor
perpetually coded to the United States with
an implied but not expressly stipulated
American protectorate over the islands. /
believe the former to be the better, that
which will prove much the more advan-
tageous to the islands, and the cheapest
and least embarrassing in the end to the
United States. If it was wise for the United
States through Secretary Marcy thirty
eight years ago to offer to expend 100000
to secure treaty of annexation, it GER
tainly can not be chmerical or unwise to
expend 100000 to secure annexation in the
near future. Today the United States has
hve times the wealth she possessed in 1854,
and the reasons now existing for annexa-
ton are much stronger than they were
then. L can not refrain from expressing
the opinion with emphasis that the golden
hour is near at hand"
These declarations certainly show a dis
position and condition of mind. which NAV
be usefully recalled when interpreting the
significance of the Minister'S conceded acts
or when considering the probabilities of
SUCH conduct on his part as may not be ad-
mitted.
In this view 1t seems proper to also quote
from a letter written by the Minister to the
secretary of State on the Sth day of March,
1872, nearly year prior to the first step
taken toward annexation. After stating the
possibility that the existing Government of
Hawaii might be overturned by an orderly
and peaceful revolution, Minister Stevens
writes as follows: Ordinarily in like cir
cumstances, the rule seems to be to limit
the landing and movement of United States
forces In foreign waters and dominion ex-
clusively to the protection of the United
States legation and of the lives and prop
erty of American citizens. But as the rela-
lions of the United States to Hawaii are
exceptional, and in former years the United
States officials here took somewhat excep-
tional action in circumstances of disorder,
desire to know how far the present Minister
and naval commander may deviate from es-
tablished international rules and precedents
In the contingencies indicated in the first
part of this dispatch"
The Opportunity.
To minister of this temper full Of zeal
for annexation there seemed to arise in jan
uary, 1893. the precise opportunity for which
he was watchfully waiting-an opportunity
which by timely deviation from established
international rules and presidents" might
be improved to successfully accomplish the
great object in view; and we are quite pre-
pared for the exultant enthusiasm with
which in letter to the State Department
dated February 1, 1893, he declares: 1.-The
Hawaiian pear is now fully ripe and this is
the golden hour for the United States to
pluck it."
AS further illustration of the activity of
this diplomatic representative, attention is
called to the fact that on the day the above
letter was written, apparently unable longer
to restrain his ardor. he issued a proclama-
ton whereby lin the lame of the United
States" he assumed the protection of the
Hawaiian Islands and declared that said
action mas taken -pendipg-and. subject to
negotiations at Washington" OF course
this assumption Of protectorate was
promptly disavowed by our government, but
the American flag remained over the gov
eminent building at Honolulu and the
forces remained on guard until April, and
after Mr.. Blount's arrival on the scene
when both were removed.
A brief statement of the occurrences that
led to the subversion of the constitutional
government Of Hawaii in the interests of
annexation to the United States will exhibit
The Committee of Safety.
On Saturday, January IA. 1898 the Queen
OF Hawaii, who had been contemplating
the proclamation of new constitution,
had. in Difference to the wishes and re-
monstrances of her cabinet, renowned the
project for the present at least. Taking
this relinquished purpose as a basis of ac-
ton, citizens of Honolulu numbering from
fiftV to one hundred rnastly resident aliop,
met in private office and selected a So
called Committee of Safety, composed of
thirteen persons seven of whom were for
eign subjects, and consisted of five Ameri-
cans, one Englishman and one German.
This committee, though it's designs were
not revealed, had in view nothing less than
annexation to the United States, and be-
tween Saturday, the 18th, and the follow
ing Monday, the 10th of January-though
exactly what action was taken may not be
clearly disclosed-they were certainly in
communication with the United States Min
ister On Monday morning the Queen and
her cabinet made public proclamation, with
notice which was specially served upon
the representatives of all foreign govern
ments, that any changes in the constitution
would be sought only in the methods pro-
vided by that instrument. Nevertheless, at
the call ana under the auspices OF the COM
mittee of Safety. a mass meeting of citi-
zens was held on that day to protest
against the Queens alleged illegal and I'M
lawful proceedings and purposes.
Even at this meeting the Committee of
Safety continued to disguise their real pur-
pose and contented themselves with procur-
ing the passage of resolution denouncing
the Queen and empowering the committee
to devise ways and means Ito secure the
permanent maintenance of law and order
and the protection of life, liberty. and prop
erty in Hawaii" This meeting adjourned
between three and four o'clock in the after
noon. On the same day. and Immediately
after such adjournment, the committee, I'M
willing to take further steps without the CO.
operation of the United States Minister, ad-
dressed him note representing that the
public safety was menaced and that lives
and property were in danger, and concluded
as follows: I'VE are unable to protect our
selves without aid. and therefore pray for
the protection of the United States forces"
Whatever may be thought of the other con-
tents of this note, the absolute truth of this
latter statement is incontestable. When the
note was written and delivered the COM
mittee, so far as 1t appears, had neither
a man nor a gun at their command, and
after it's delivery they became so panic