Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1893-04-20
"oLD GLORY"

Commissioner Daount Followed Instruc-
IONS IN IaklnS Dow the American Flag
OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Protectorats
WASHINGTON, April 1o.-The news
from Honolulu of the hauling down Of
the United States flag, it is said, was
the subject of animated discussion at
the cabinet meeting. Before going into
the cabinet room, Secretary Gresham
said to reporter that he had received
no information whatever aside from the
newspapers
= When questioned further as to the
truth of the statements contained in
special dispatches to Western newspa-
pers that Mr.. 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 ship Boston, he said he
knew nothing about it and de-
clined to express any opinion upon the
subject. In regard to the hauling
down of the United States flag, atten-
ton is called to these passages in the
instructions issued under the previous
administration by Secretary ]. w. Eos
ter to Minister Stevens, under date of
February IL, 1898.
The phraSeology Of your proclamation in an
ton OF the Hawaiian Islands in the name of the
United States would appear to be tantamount
TO the assumption of the protectorate over those
Islands in behalf of the United States with all
the rights and obligation which the term i'm
| plies To this extent it goes beyond the neces-
sites Of the situation and instructions as here
tofore given you
So far as your action amounts to according
at the request of the de facto sovereign govern
ment of the Hawaiian Islands, to cooperation
OF the moral and material forces Of the United
States for the protection of life and property
from apprehended disorders, your action is
commended But SO far as 1t may appear to
overstep that limit by setting the authority and
power of the Uni ted States above that of the
government Of the Hawaiian Islands in the ca
pacity Of protector or to impair in any way the
| independent sovereignty of the Hawaiian gov
eminent by substituting the flag and power of
| the United States as the symbol and nantes
! tation of paramount authority, it is disavowed.
There is diplomatic reticence around
| the White house concerning the nature
| of the instructions given 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 Washing
| ton. 1t is understood that Mr. Blount
was given definite instructions
to withdraw the protectorate of the
OA4tco over IidWdh LII OTCler UndG
| this government might find itself freer
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 whatever, in order that the mo-
| tives and the intentions of the admin
istration might not be construed so as
to cause trouble among the Hawaiians.
| Mr.. Blount followed his instructions
| to the letter. He waited until the ex-
| element incident to his arrival had
completely died out and affairs were in
a tranquil state before making known
| that the protectorate was at an end.
He also made it known at the same
! time that the United States would still
consider Hawaii and the Hawaiians I'M
der its guardianship, so far as outside
interference was concerned, and in this
| also showed the caution which Mr..
Cleveland and Secretary Gresham had
impressed on him to deprive the an
nouncement of any tinge of sensation
| alism. These are said to be the facts
| in the matter with reference to the in
| structiOnS of Mr.. Blount.