The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1893-04-08
Commissioner Blount's Mission.
New York Post, |

man OF the House committee on
Foreign Affairs, has gone to the
Sandwich Islands on mission of in
euiry, in behalf of the new Admins
tration, touching the proposed an
nexation of that country to the
United States. Before sailing from
San Francisco he dropped few re-
marks showing what had been Mr.. |
Cleveland's attitude on the annexa-
ton question before his Inaugural
ton as President. This paragraph
sets forth Mr. Clevcland's views in a
characteristic way:
when the Hawaiian question first
came up, MIR. Blount and ex-Gov.
McCreary, who were on the Foreign
Affairs Committee of the House, had
a talk. McCreary said that Cleve-
land must be seen to find out what
was wanted If he wants this treaty
pushed through before his inaugu-
ration said McCreary, I'VE can do it,
but it is vital to learn what he de-
sires.' So McCreary suggested that
Blount go over to New York and see
Cleveland. Blount considered the
matter, and finally decided to in
trust the commission to Mr.. Carlisle.
So Mr.. Carlisle talked with Cleve-
land, and the latter suggested that
the Democrats go very slow on an
neXation until they had got all the
facts, as he said it would be bad to hare
to make an inquiry after the Islands
had been anncred. Mr.. Carlisle men
toned Mr.. Blount for the commits
sion, and that's the way the appoint
ment came
Mr.. Blount's mission is neces-
sary step in the proceedings. 1t is
necessary to have an Independent
Judgment on the question from the
Hawaiian standpoint, although a
unanimous desire for annexation on
the part of the islanders would not
be conclusive upon the United
States. 1t would be an argument
against annexation if the islanders
we're opposed to it, but their desire
to be annexed would not necessarily
be an argument for it. The Com
missioners who visited the island of
San Domingo in Gen. Grants time
reported that the inhabitants de
sired to be annexed, and the same
report was made as to the nhabi
tants of the island of st. Thomas,
Yet the question of annexation in
each case was decided with refer
ence to the interests of the United
States exclusively, and so it should
be in the present case. This coun-
try has done a great deal of mission
airy work among the kanakas. 1t
has made an annual donation of
about S5,OOOO00 to the islands
through sugar treaty. 1t is pre-
pared and willing to extend its good
offices in other ways towards the
protection of the Islands from spoil
alton, foreign or domestic, but it is
not prepared to marry them wit hout
most careful consideration of all
the consequences.
The Indifference Of foreign Powers.
and especially of England, to the
whole movement has been eminently
favorable to the exercise of common
sense by us. The London Daily
News, an unvarying friend of the
United States from the days of the
civil war, offers us few words OF
: advice apropns of Mr.. Cleveland's
withdrawal of the treaty from the
Senate. viz:
Small as the proposed annexa-
ton is. in this instance, the Presi-
dent may pause before he gives his
sanction to the radical change OF
policy which it involves. Our own
example has shown that, while en-
.. pire has a first step, 1t has no last. A
sort of fatal necessity compels the
Of re 10 n,If he
: old. At one time, we thought that
the line of the Himalayas would be
our last word on the subject in
| India. Now we want, or some of us
want, outposts to guard the Hima-
!, layas. If the United States estab
t fish themselves in the Pacific, they
will need more powerful fleet thar
p ever to keep themselves in touch
h with their possessions. 1t will be
easy to do it, but easier still to let il
J. alone, as no foreign Power raises the
slightest objection to the proceed
;, ing. Resist beginnings said thu
sage"
d The chief objection to the annex
alton of Hawaii is that it leads t.
J; further flights of the American eagl
~ over the great waters of the globe
IF there were special reasons fo
acquiring Hawaii, it would still be
dangerous precedent. Adventurer
$ would start up everywhere to fin
pretexts for further annexations. |
Hawaii is needed as fortifcatio
- for San Francisco, is not Same
lg needed as fortilicaton for Hawaii
4, And who can count the islands tina
or it would be desirable to have as foI
We tiiications for Samoa? All the III
III settled humors of the land woul
Il. rise and take up colonization as
he trade. A few years ago there was
err controversy with Mexico about
te blackguard editor on the Tex
ng border who had slandered Mexica
lal citizen on the other side of the liz
~ and had been arrested in Mexico.
IN, ilo was very slender basis for con
in plant, but before the affair was Sc
IN in tied recruiting stations had bee
IId opened in several States and mar
OF tenders of volunteers had been mac
AN to the Government. PromOtio
ne, distinction, and pensions danced b
nd fore the eyes of these would-be i
M vaders of neighboring countr
-, The restless and unprincipled class
les es; started into renewed activity ii