The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-04-17
4 COMMISSIONERS MISSION
Rctioenoe Concerning Commissioner
Blount's Instructions.
BLoUNT WAS INSTRUCTED
10 Withdraw the Preieetarais IN Order that this Gov.
sramani Might Pina Itself Pre- IN Dealing
with tho Main Question

WAaHIN0ToN, April 10. There Is a
diplomats reticence around tho white
house concerning tho nature Of The
instructions given Commissioner nlount
10 hia mission 70 Hawaii but Il Is
stated with some positivenesa that he
was given authority for hauling down
The stars and stripes az Honolulu prior
70 his departure from Washington. II
Is understood that Mr. Riount was
given definite instructions 70 withdraw
the protectoratc Of tho United States
over Hawaii In order that this govern
mont might ilnd itself frccr In dealing
with the main question of annexation.
but on the day Of his departure for San
Francisco he was cautioned 10 conildc
this information 10 no person whatso.
ever. In order, that the motives and In
tcntions Of the ADMINISTRATION might
not be construed SO as 10 cause trouble
among the Hawaiians On the nfter-
noon ~ his departure from Washington
for san Francisco. Mr. Blount spent
some time nt tho white house., The
cabinet was IN session, and Mr. Hlount
was called in and discussed with the
president aud his official family the
manner d his course 70 be pursued
in Hawaii lie left for San Fran
clscso that night but tho nature
81 his mission leaked out before he
was thousand nilee from Washing
ton. and the news was telegrnphcd TO
San Francisco, where Mr. Burl. Queen
Lilioukalani's agent, learned Il and
started immediately for Honolulu. So
when Mr. Blount arrived AT his dcsti-
nation the lsnowlcdge Of his business
had preceded him Ii was not tho In
tention 10 keep secret what that bust
ness was with the exception 81 Tho fact
that the commissioner had authority to-
declare the professionals al nm end.
Tho exception was guarded carefully
by Mr.. Blount for the reason given. IT,
Is said. by the president that n the fact
that tho American flag wns to be
hauled down became known II might
create trouble and blooishcd. and ALSO
nffcr temptation 70 foreign nations 10
step in and secure the prizr before the
United States could offer adequate
Iexplnnntion Ion IL coarSo. No
Bionnt followed his INSTRUCTIONS
to tho letter He waited until
tho excitement incident u his arriv-
Al Ind completely died ont and affairs
were in tranquil state before making
known that the proctectoratc was atan
end. He also mnde II known at the
same time that the United States would
still consider Hawaii and tho Hawaii
ans under lis guardianship 40 far rs
outside interference was concerned, and
In this also showed the caution which
Mr. Cleveland and Secretary Gresham
had imposed on him TO deprive the an-
nounccment Of any tinge Of sensation.
alism. These are said 10 be the facts
In the matter with reference 70 the i'm
structions Of Mr. Blount
| Up TO the hour Of closing the depart
ment Of state no information had been
received there regarding the action Of
Commissioner Blount In the course Of
the afternoon Mr. Carter, the annexa-
ton commissioner from Hawaii, had an
interview with Secretary Gresham.
which he said was quite satisfactory
He reiterated his former statementthat
the removal Of the flag was dine to the
condition OF affairs in Honolulu, which
no longer warranted It's floating over
the government buildings Tho pro
yisional government can and ought TO
sustain itself, \ he said lam not at
al discouraged over tile situation, and
believe we shall come out all right In
/ she cnd.n