The record-union., 1893-04-15
speciaI to the RrcoRp-ux1ox.

WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE startling
news from Honolulu via San Francisco of
the hauling down of the United States
flag, it is said, was the subject of ami
mated discussion at the Cabinet meeting
to-day. Before going into the Cabinet
room Secretary Gresham said to a re-
porter that he had received no informa-
ton whatever, aside from that printed in
the papers. When questioned further as
to the truth of the statements contained
in the special dispatches to the Western
newspapers that Blount was conniving at
the restoration of Queen Liliuokalani,
and would support her return to the
throne, if need be. by the forces of the
United States steamer Boston, he said he
knew nothing about it and declined to
express any opinion upon the subject.
In regard to the hauling down of the
United States flag, attention is called to
these passages in the instructions issued
under the previous Administration by
Secretary Foster to Minister Stevens,
under date of February II. 1898:
The phraseology of your proclamation
in announcing your action in the as
sumption of the protection of the Ha-
waiian Islands in the name of the United
States would appear to be tantamount to
the assumption of a protectorate over
those islands, in behalf of the United
States, with all the rights and obligations
which the term implies.
To this extent it goes beyond the ne
cessities of the situation and the instruc-
tons before given you. So far as your
action amounts to according, at the re-
quest of the dc fdctO sovereign Govern
ment of the Hawaiian Islands, the CO.
operation of the moral and material forces
of the United States for the protection of
life and property from apprehended dis
orders, your action is commended; but so
far as it may appear to overstep that limit
by setting the authority and power of the
United States above that of the Govern
ment of the Hawaiian Islands in the ca
pacty of protector, or to impair in any
way the independent sovereignty of the
Hawaiian Government by substituting
the flag and power of the United States as
symbol and manifestation of paramount
authority, it is disapproved."
There was diplomatic reticence around
the White House concerning the nature
of the instructions given Commissioner
Blount in his mission to Hawaii but it is
stated with some positiveness that he was
given authority for hauling down the
stars and stripes at Honolulu prior to his
departure from Washington. 1t is under
stood that Blount was given definite in
structions to withdraw the protectorate
of the United States over Hawaii in order
that this Government might find itself
free in dealing with the main question of
annexation; but on the day of his de-
parture for San Francisco he was eau
toned to confide this information to no
person whatsoever, in order that the mo-
tives and intentions of the Administra-
ton might not be construed so as to cause
trouble among the Hawaiians.
On the afternoon of his departure from
Washington for San Francisco Blount
spent some time at the White House. The
Cabinet was in session, and Blount was
called in, and discussed with the President
and his official family the manner of his
course to be pursued in Hawaii. He left
for San Francisco that night, but the ma
ture of his mission leaked out before he
was thousand miles from Washington.
and the news was telegraphed to San
Francisco, where Bush, Queen Liliuo-
kalani's agent, learned it, and started i'm
mediately for Honolulu. So when Blount
arrived at his destination the knowledge
of his business had preceded him.
1t was not the intention to keep secret
what that business was, with the excep-
ton of the fact that the Commissioner had
authority to declare the protectorate at an
end, The exception was guarded care
fully by Blount for the reason, given, it
is said, by the President, that if the fact
that the American flag would be hauled
down became known it might cause
trouble and bloodshed, and also offer
temptation to foreign nations to ste1 in
and secure the prize before the United
States could offer an adequate explana-
ton for its course.
Blount followed his instructions to the
letter. He waited until the excitement
incident to his arrival had completely
died out and affairs were in a TRANQUIL
state before making known the protecto-
rate was at an end. He also made it
known at a safe time that the United
States would still consider Hawaii and
the Hawaiians under its guardianship,
as far as outside interference was con-
cerned, and in this also showed the eau
ton which Cleveland and Gresham had
impressed on him, to deprive the an
nouncement of any tinge of sensational
ism. These are said to be the facts in the
matter with reference to the instructions
of Blount.
COMMENT ON THE SITUATION.
Up to the hour of closing the Depart
ment of State no information had been
received there regarding the action of
Commissioner Blount in Honolulu. In
the course of the afternoon Carter, An
nexation Commissioner from Hawaii,
had an interview with Secretary
Gresham, after which he said that every
thing was quite satisfactory. He reiter-
ated the statement that the removal of the
flag was due to the condition of things in
Honolulu, which no longer warranted its
floating over the Government buildings.
1.-THE Provisional Government can and
ought to sustain ITSELF" he said. 81 am
not at all discouraged over the situation,
and believe we shall come out all right in
the end"
The news from Hawaii attracted a great
deal of attention among the Senators, al
though there was much reticence mani
tested when an effort was made to draw
them out. The Democrats Iefrained from
giving utterance to what appeared their
real sentiments, and the Republicans,
eoually cautious, said more for private
ears than they will see reproduced in cold
TYNE. The members OF the Foreign At