Rock Island daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1886-1893, 1893-04-15
BLOUNT'S ORDERS.
He Was to End the Protectorate
i'm Hawaii.
ALLEGED VIEWS OF THE PRESIDENT

From other Powers-Stevens' Act Dis
approved and the Reason Given for Dis
approval-Views of Senators Palmer
and Vest-A Treaty of Some Sort Ex-
pected.
WASHINGTON, April 15.-To everybody
here except the president and cabinet
Commissioner Blount's action in abro-
eating the Hawaiian protectorate is a COM
plete surprise Naval officers are disgust
ed and many congressman express them
selves very forcibly in opposition to this
development of the administrations pol
icy. Cabinet ministers will not talk, but
the policy seems to be that while the
United States will not annex, no other ma
ton will be permitted to do so.
Should it be discovered however, that it
would be unsafe to leave the islands to
possible annexation by some other power
this country may annex them
A Semi Official View of the Case.
The congressman were reticent, but a
few talked, and the following views of
Senator Palmer might be called semi
official they partly those officially
admitted late yesterday. Palmer said:
Il can scarcely see how the act of Mr..
Blount can be construed as an abandon
ment on the part of the present admins
.ration of all intentions concerning the ISL
ands. 1t, to my mind, signifies rather that
precaution which the Importance of the
situation suggests, so that the matter of
annexation or the establishment of u pro-
tectorate can be discussed with sober de-
liberation. By hauling down the flag
there passes from view that coercion which
might be supposed to exist if the marines
were permitted to rem ain as guard and
the flag was kept floating over the capitol
of the provisional government"
Vest Opposed to Annexation.
Il am opposed to the annexation of Ha-
wall" said Vest. But do not see any
thing in the action of Blount that affects
the subject one way or the other. 1 have
no doubt he went there with plenary
powers to do what he thought was best in
the light of events that should be unfold
ed to him, and at this distance, thoroughly
in the dark to the real condition of af-
fairs, it seems unjust to attempt any criti-
cism of his acts on the part of those who
might be tempted to criticise them. There
is certainly nothing reprehensible in his
conduct, but do think the act of Minister
Stevens in establishing a protectorate is to
lie strongly condemned"
Obeyed Oficial Instructions.
1t will be remembered that Secretary
Foster sent a letter to Minister Stevens
(Which was printed in these dispatches)
COnOlUlCHaliy QlSaNOWlnS the OeCldTallOn Oh
a protectorate. Late official information
as to the policy of the present administra-
ton is that Blount was given specific in
structlons to withdraw the marines and
haul down the flag, but that he was also
given discretion as to tie time when this
should be done. He was not to make the
move until he deemed it safe for the inter
eSts of the govern ent to do so. That the
flag was hauled down is, therefore, re-
garded as favorable indication, Jas it sig
ifies that B,ount is satisfied that the pro-
visional government can stand alone.
Stevens Act Disapproved.
1t is now openly said that President
Cleveland and his cabinet have from the
first disapproved the act of Minister Stew
ems in establishing the protectorate over
the islands. 1t is not only considered to be
against the traditions of this government
but in absolute violation of international
law. The landing of the marines is held to
be justifable where the protection of
American lives and property is necessary.
and had Blount deemed the continued
presence of the Boston's sailors on shore
necessary for this purpose he was instruct
ed to keep them there.
A State Department Official.
The true significance of the withdrawal
Of the protectorate was thus explained yes
terday by a state department official.
The administration, said this official, is
Wiling TO negotiate with the provisional
government either for a protectorate or for |
but to do so with the Ameri-
can flag floating over Hawaii was
like tying mans hands behind
his back and then telling him he |
must do what you want him to do. Now
that this has been removed Blount is free |
to treat with the provisional government |
and it is understood that when he returns |
he will bring with him a treaty of some |
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