The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-04-14
Stars and Stripes Ordered Down and the Pro-
tectorate Dissolved by Mr.. Cleveland's
Representative Soon After He Landed.
Camp Boston Broken and the Squad of
Blue Jackets Sent Back to the Cruiser.
Hauaii's Flag Now Floating Over the Pro-
yisiensl Government Building-Japanese
officers Warned to Keep Hands Of.



Mr.. Blouns Lowers the American Flag as
Honolulu and Dissolves the Protectorate.
HONOLULU, April 6. - Commissioner
Blounts arrival was q wet blanket on tho
provisional government. but his procedure
has parslyzed the leaders. as we'll
as Minister Stevens. By Blounts
orders the American flag was ordered
down and the protectorate dissolved. This
event took place April l, and was marked
By brief ceremonies.
On his arrival the United States COM
missioner held two conferences with tho
provisional government. at the first
of ewhich Mr. BIount presented q
letter from President Cleveland intro
ducing the envoy and defining his
duties. At the second audience. held
alone with President Dole, Mr.. BlOunt said
that the following day he should lower tho
American flag, break up camp Boston,
send the American sesmen back to
their vessel and declare tho pro-
tectorate ended. His reason was that
he wanted to put the provisional govern
ment on plano of independence so that in
his dealings with it there should be no I'M
putation of coercion. The provisional
leaders were badly surprised. but they
spent the night in drilling their troops
and preparing for an uprising that might
follow the withdrawal of tho marines in
blue Jackets The streets were full of
rumore that Mr. Blount proposed TO restore
the Queen. and these reports created great
excitement among the natives. The Queen
hastily summoned her followers and the
report was given out that the moment the
ask the Japanese to declare q protectorate.
These rumors proved unfounded.
The morning of April 1 q great crowd as
sembled in front of the government build
ings. The full force of the provisional
army was gathered. At the CON-
mand of MI. Blount busIer
gave the signal and the American
colors came down. The descent of the flag
was watched In deep silence. Then tho
Hawaiian flag was hoisted. Il received no
cheers, for every one knew 1t was not what
the new government desired.
NO OTHER TROOPS WILL LAND.
Csrsnsissscnes Blount, on April 8. had .
conference with the provisional leaders,
at which he assured them neither Japan
nor any other power would be permitted to
land troops to menace the government.
Since then there has been considerable OK.
element. but nothing has occurred to dis
turb she peace. The provisional troops are
teinpts of the HawaiiAns to upset the
government. 1t was remarked by many
with surprise that no demonstration
of any kind had been made when the
wards ascertained that the Queen had re-
quested some OF her people to instruct the
natives to make no outbursts- on the oc-
casion.
Commissioners Blouns renamed a good
majority of the people here. He is q
good questioner. but is not SD
ready at imparting information. About
the only public knowledge had of him here
Is contained in the letter of Presidents
Cleveland to President Dole. dated March
II. In which Mr.. Cleveland says:
have made choice OF James Blount, one Of
our distinguished citizens, as my special COM
missioner to visit the Hawaiian Islands and
status OF the affairs of that country.
He is we'll informed Of our sincere
esent u the whOh has SO one s9S
sisted between the two countries in all
matters during our relations with the
authority is paramount. Ny knowledge of
his high character and ability gives me entire
confidence that he will use every endeavor to
advance the interest and prosperity OF both gov
ernments and render himself acceptable to your
Exoellency.
This sounded we'll. but TO divided peo-
pie, both sides of which may be considered
as waiting on his individual action before
shaping their course, something more was
expected of their commissioners.
The Roy yalists. III view OF Blounts first
official act which was unaccompanied by
any word of explanation. are greatly en-.
couraged. 1t is known thas Minis.
ter Stevens was not informed of
the commissioners intention to lower
the tiag and the provisional government
had less than twenty-four hours notice.
The provisional government called on
%. returning his official visit of
March 80 when he was introduced
by Minister Stevens and presented
his credentials The conference at MIR.
Attorney general Smith. in speaking of it.
said that while the commissioners gave them
no direct assurances OF any kind, beyond
that the United States wOuld allow no for
eign interference here, the government
was we'll pleased with the manner OF the
Commissioner. and dld think their inter-
ests would suffer at his HANDS.
PRESIDENT DOLE SATISFIED.
President Dole said he hoped the news
paper correspondents would not make too
much of the lowering of the American
flag incident. He was satisfied Mr..
Blount was proceeding in q proper
manner. and no would regret to have
the question made partisan political
one in the United States. The provisional
government was strong enough 10 maintain
itself against any internal distur urbances..
and. though ne had not expected
the American flag to como down.
he did not think the Commits
sioner's act to be cause for regret.
When asked If in order TO carry to o log
ical conclusion his alleged expressed in
fention of affording the provisional govern
meat an opportunity to show that it could
care for itself, the Commissioner should or
der the Boston and Mohican home and
20 himself. the Presidents replied. with q
smile that Ii might be looked at in that
light. but while foreign powers were of
course. source of danger, he did not think
the Hawaiians. unaided. were cause for
apprehension. and to that extent American
assistance was now unnecessary.
The chief apprehension felt here is of