Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1893-11-15
The Hawaiian Crime.

The announcement on Saturday by See
rotary of State u, sham, authorized so to
do by President Cleveland. that the new L
S. minister to the Sandwich islands, MR..
Willis has been directed To depose the
provisional government of Hawaii and re-
establish the old Queen in authority, even
If 1t required the use of force landed
from the L. s. war vessels at the islands
has caused not only astonisbment but Sc
we're condemnation as will be seen by the
reports published elsewhere.
The Withdrawal from the Senate by Pres
ident Cleveland, Of the treaty negotiated
just before President Harrison went ont,
for the annexation OF the islands to the
United States, followed by the Presidents
order to lower the | $. flag which hsd
been raised over the Hawaiian government
buildings pending the decision of the ques-
tion of annexation, caused much adverse
criticism last spring but the order now to
our minister aud naval vessels to re-esrab-
lish a lissolute and unworthy Queen on her
throne, by force if necessary, is the most
astonishing step ever taken by the head of
republic like ours.
The excuse given for this surprising nc
ton is that Commissioner Blount. who was
lent to the island last spring, reported that
the Queen was deposed last January nv An
uprising of the Americans of the isl.nd
supported and encouraged by Hon. John J.
Stevens of Maine, then the u. s. minister
there, and against the wishes of the native
Hawaiisns, and that it is the duty of the
United States to restore matters on the
island precisely where they were last Janu-
airy before the revolution, which involved
the re-establishment of the dissoute Queen
oo her throne.
Even if the administration had thought
such remarkable course necessary in case
these facts we're as alleged. it is surprising
that President Cleveland should have ac-
&c pied this to be true on the report Of Mr..
Blount, in view of the denial of Minister
Stevens and three Hawaiian commissioners
and the offer to abundsntly sustain their
denial and especially surprising that the
President should take such action without
consultation with Congress, which was then
in session. II is no wonder that not only
Republican,, but also many Democrats
including so distinguished a Democratic
senator IS Mr. Morgan. should condemn
the Presidents action.
Since this remarkable action was taken
by Preside mt Cleveland, ex-Minister Stew
ems has repeated his denial that he had any
thing to do with the Inauguration of the
revolution which depose,l the late Queen
calling attention to the fact that he WAS on
another island when it took place, and has
repeated the statement made in his report,
that the united States marines were landed
simply to protect the lives and property of
American residents, in obedience to the in
structions given by Secretary Bsyard. Mr..
Stevens clear and conclusive reply, pub
lished elsewhere, will be read with great
interest.
Il 10 known to the world that the Queen
va, deposed blythe people of the islands,
because she hsd violated the constitution
and attempted to illegally subvert the gov
eminent; and the fact that the provincial
government established by the people on
the d-rosi tion Of the Queen, had sustained
ttself for ten months without bloodshed, and
hsd given the islands . good government
which had been universally accepted by the
people. and recognized by foreign govern
meute. of itself afords evidence that il
could not have been set NJ by force and
fraud in defiance of popular wishes.
We shall know in few days what the
effect Of this order Of President Clevr land,
eiven some weeks ago and just made Iub-
lie, has been on the Affairs Of the Sandwich
islands. II it turns out that the provision
81 government peaeeably submitted to the
order and turned over the government! to
the deposed Queen, who 10 known to be
hostile to American interests and favorable
to England, the people of this country will
most severely condemn the unwise. unpa-
Iriotic, injurious and unauthorized action of
the President
But if il turns out that the provisional
government refused to obey the unanthor- |
Ized order Of President Cleveland, and that |
,ur minister thereupon landed armed men |
from our war vessels and forced the pfovi- |
,iouai government to surrender their au- |
.hority and placed the miserable Queen on |
the ,hrone--perhsps with bsoodshed,-there |
will be brought to the attention of the peo- |
pie Of this country an act of the executive,
if not ueurped, such ~ has |
never before been known under our system |
IF government sn act Of probable far
reaching conssqnences.--whic will hrina |
,hame and regret TO every patriotic Amsri- |
can.