The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1893-03-16
ALL DEPENDS ON BLOUNT
HIS REPORT TO SETTLE THE FATE
OF EAWAII.

The Commissioners Position on the
Annexation Issue g Conservative
one From the First-He Is Credited
With a Suspicion That American
Omcials Encouraged the Recent
Revolution.
WAsHINGTON. March 15.-As stated last
night ex-Representativs Blount will proba-
bly, go to Hawaii alone, just as Mr.. Sedg-
wick was sent to Mexico BY Secretary
Bayard as special envoy to investigate the
Cutting affair, which occurred in President
Clevelands first administration. Mr.
Blount has occupied a conservative position
on the subject of the annexation of Hawaii
ever since It was first hroached by a secret
commission from the islands last winter
de is credited with having suspicion that
United States officials might have encour-
aged the revolution and thereby put them
selves in position to be accused Of having
part in the establishment of the government
with which they we're now asked TO treat.
MIR. Blount, it is further said, will investi-
gate the questions how the overthrow cf
Lilioukalani's government was accom-
plished; whether or not the provisional gov
srnment really represents the popular senti-
ment of the islands, and whether or not the
annexation Of the islands is desirable as a
business matter.
MUST STAND BY ITSELF.
While settling these questions it is fur
ther asserted that Mr. Blount will inform
the provisional government that the United
States will not aid in maintaining 1t against
hs1E
tain it against any other form of govern
ment the people OF the island may see fit to
attempt to establish 1t is said that the ad-
ministration early received information,
which was deemed to be reliable, that the
overthrow of Queen Liltoukalani and the
establishment of a provisional government
were the result Of plan formulated by the
sugar producing elements of the islands, and
which was fu<thered in San Francisco.
Upon receiving this information the with
draWal of the treaty and the appointments
of a commission to investigate the situation
were determined on.
ORIGIN OF THE STATEMENTS.
ALI statements on the Hawaiian subject
were more or less speculative and seem TO
originate in great part with the Hawatians
in this city opposed to the present pro-
visional government. Whether or not the
information they give out is authentic eau
department officials, who absolutely decline
to say anything on the subject, maintaining
a sphiux-like reticence on every point
The fact, however, appears to be definitely
settled that Mr. B!ount has started for San
Francisco and that he has been accompanied
by Ellis Mills, the confidential stenographer
OF the state department.
To BE DELAYED UNTIL NEXT WINTER.
President Cleveland expects to make no
NB, ifnvn HI
the Senate at this session. He does not ex-
pect the present session Of the Senate to
last much beyond fortnight more, aud by
that time ommissioner Blount will hardly
have more than arrived at Honolulu. AS
the President does not anticipate calling an
extra session of congress in the fail he does
not expect to submit the matter to the SEN
ate in any way before next winter
There Is little probability that the
Harrison treaty will ever be returned
to the Senate. Commissioner Blount's report
will Of course furnish President Cleveland
with the information which he desires in
order to properly determine what he shall
do about it, President Cleveland felt that
he wanted to know more about the Ha-
waiien question than he could learn from
the dispatches of Minister Stevens, or the
representations of the different persons
claiming TO represent Hawaiian interests.
be could not 60 himself to Honolulu 80 he
sent Commissioner Blount to be eyes and
ears for him there and to report to him per-
sonally with all the freedom Of confden-
tial communication the exact facts as to the
revolution, the provisional government, the
sentiment of the people and the situation
generally.
BLOUNT's INSTRUCTIONS.
Mr. Blounts instructions were given not
only verbally but in writing and were very
clear and comprehensive. He was given
all the authority necessary to make his in
vestigRtion successful, including quasi
diplomatic powers. Mr.. Blount was selected
partly because of the fact that mis- attitude
toward the Hawaiian matter was known
to be Judicial, like that Of
Mr. Cleveland himself, and withs
out any strong bias for or against annexa-
ton. 1t is believed, however, from what Is
already known here that his report is un-
likely to support the Harrison treaty. IL
President Cleveland finally decides in favor
Of annexation he will provide for it in a
treaty OF quite different character. 1t is
quite possible however, that his decision
may be in favor Of protectorate. W hat
ever it is 1t will be reached after a most
careful deliberation upon the facts ascer-
tanned by Commissioner Blount.