davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-19

we're landed for the pur pose of supporting
the Provisional Government.
If any peril to life and property calling
for any such martial array had existed
Great Britain and other foreign powers
interested would not have been behind the
United States in activity to protect their
citizens. But they made no sign in that
direction. When these armed men were
landed the city of Honolulu was in its
customary orderly. peaceful condition.
There W as no symptom of riot or disturb
ance in any quarter. Men, women and
children were about the streets as usual,
and nothing varied the ordinary routine or
disturbed the ordinary tranquility except
the landing of the BostOn's marines and
their march through the town to the quar-
ters assigned them. Indeed, the fact that
after having called for The landing of
United States forces on plea of danger
to life and property the committee of
safety themselves requested the Minister
10 postpone action exposed the untruth-
fulness of their representations of present
peril to life and property. The peril they
saw was in anticipation growing out of
guilty intentions on their part. and some
thing which. though not then existing.
they knew would certainly follow their
attempt to overthrow the Government Of
the Queen without the aid of United States
forces.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-19
DETHRONING THE QUEEN.

A brief statement of the occurrence that
led to the subversion Of the constitutional
Government of Hawaii in the interest of
annexation to the United States will ex-
hibit the true complexion of that trans
action. On Saturday. January IA, 1898, the
Queen of Hawaii, who had been contem-
plating the proclamation Of a new const-
tuition, had, In Difference to the wishes and
remonstrances of her Cabinet renounced
the project for the present at least. TAX
ing this relinquished purpose as basis OF
action, citizens of Honolulu numbering
from fifty to 100. mostly resident aliens,
met in private Office and selected the So
called committee of safety. composed of
thirteen persons. seven of whom were
foreign subjects, consisting of FIVE Ameri-
cans. one Englishman and one German.
This committee. though It's designs
were not revealed. had in view nothing
less than annexation to the United States,
and between Saturday. the 14tb, and the
following Monday. the 10th of January,
though exactly what action was taken may
not be clearly disclosed, they were GER
tSinly IN municati0d with the United
States Minister. On Monday morning the
Queen and her Cabinet made public pro-
c!amation. with notice which was
specially served upon the representatives
of all foreign Governments. that any
changes In the constitution would be
sought only in the methods provided by
that instrument. Nevertheless at the
call and under the auspices of the Com
mittee of Safets a mass-meeting of citi-
zens was held that day to protest agains st
Ouaan'a ollauod Hazel unla On pro
ceedings and purposes. Even at this meet
ing the Committee of Safety continued 10
disguise its real purpose and contented it.
self with procuring the passage of resolu-
tion denouncing the Queen ana empowering
thelcommittee to devise ways and means "to
secure permanent maintenance of law and
order and the protection of life, liberty and
property in Hawaii" This meeting sd-
journed between and o'clock in the
afternoon. On the same day. Immediately
after such adjournment, the committee,
unwilling to take further steps without the
cooperation of the United States Minister,
addressed a note to him representing tn at
public safety was menaced and lives and
property in danger, aud concluded as fol-
lows:
1--WE are unable to protect ourselves
without aid, therefore pray for the pro-
lection of the United States forces"
Whatever may be thought Of the other
contents of this note the absolute truth of
this latter statement is incontestable
When the note was written and delivered
the committee. so far as it appears, had
neither a man nor gun at command, and
after its delivery they became so panic
stricken at their position that they sent
some of their number to interview Minis
ter Stevens and request him not to land
the United States forces until the next
morning. but he replied that the troops
had been ordered. and, whether the com.
mittee was ready or not, their landing
should take place.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-19
CONCLUDED IN HASTE.

Two other remarkable features of the
transaction naturally attract attention.
One was the extraordinary haste-not to
say ecipitancy-charac rizing all the
transactions connected with the treaty.
1t appeared that so-called Committee Of
Safety. ostensibly the source of the revolt
against the constitutional Government of
Hawaii. was organized on Saturday. the
14th day Of January; that on Monday, the
10th, United States forces were landed at
Honolulu from naval vessel lying in its
harbor; that on the 18th the scheme of the
Provisional Government was perfected
and proclamation naming its officers was
on the same day prepared, and there
upon the United States Minister rec
ognized the Provisional Government thus
created; that two days afterward,
on the 18th day of January, commits
sioners representing such Government
sailed for this country In a steamer espe-
cially chartered for the occasion, arriving
in San Francisco on the 2Sth day of Janu-
ary, and in Washington on the Sd day of
February; that on the next day they bad
their first interview with the Secretary of
State and another on the 11th, when the
treaty annexiDg the islands was pracii-
cally agreed upon, and that on the 18th 1t
was formally concluded, and on the 18th
transmitted to the Senate.
Thus, between the initiation of the
scheme for Provisional Government in
Hawaii On the 14th of January and the
submission to the Senate of the treaty of
annexation concluded with such Govern
ment there was an entire in tervaI of thirty
two days. fifteen Of which were spent by
the Hawaiian Commissioners In Journey
to Washington.
In the next place, upon the face of the
papers submitted with the treaty. it
clearly appeared that there was an open
and undetermined issue of facts OF the
most vital imortance. The message of the
President accompanying the treaty de-
clared that the overthrow Of the monarchy
was not in any way promoted by this
Governments; and in a letter tn the Presi
dent from the Secretary of State, also sub
mitted to the Senate with the treaty. the
following passage occurs:
'.At the time the Provisional Govern
ment took possession of the Government
buildings, no troops or officers of the
United States were present, or took any
part whatever in the proceedings. No
public recognition was accorded to the
Provisional Government. by the United
States Minister until after the Queens
abdicatioD, and when they we're In effec.
tive possession of the Government build
iDgs. archives, treasury. barracks, police
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-19
WHY HE SENT BLOUNT.

L conceived it to be my duty. therefore.
to withdraw the treaty from the Senate for
examin alton, and meanwhile to cause an
accurate, full. impartial examination to be
made of the facts attending the subversion
of the constitutional Government of Ha-
wall and the installment in its place of
the Provisional Government. i selected
for the work Of investigation Hon. James
II. Blount of Georgia, whose service of
eighteen years as member of the Housa
Of Representatives, and whose experience
as Chairman of the Committee of Foreign
Affairs in that body and his consequent
familiarity with international al topics, Joined
with his high character and honorable rep
utation, seemed to render him peculiarly
fitted for the duties entrusted to him. His
report detailing his action under the in
structions given him and the conclusions
derived from his investigation accompany
this message.
These conclusions do not rest for their
acceptance entirely upon BIount's honesty
and ability as a man, nor upon his acu-
men and impartiality as an investigator
They are accompanied by the evidence
upon which they are based, which evil
dence is also herewith transmitted, and
from which. it seems to me, no other de-
ductions could possibly be reached than
those arrived at by the Commissioner
The report, with its accompanying proofs
and such other evidence as is now before
Congress or herewith submitted. justifes,
in my opinion, the statement that when
the President was led to submit the treaty
TO the Senate with the declaration that
'the overthrow of the monarchy was not
in any way promoted by this Govern
ment," and when the Senate was induced
to receivy and discuss it on that basis,
both the President and the Senate were
misled.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-19

SentatigeS: In my recent annual message
to Congress ! briefly referred to our rela-
tions with Hawaii. and expressed my in
tention of transmitting further in torma-
tlon on the subject when additional advices
permitted Though / am not able to now
report a definite change in the actual
situation. am convinced that the difficult
ties lately created, both here and IN
Hawaii. and now standing in the way of a
solution through executive action on the
problem presented, render it proper and
expedient that the matter should be re-
ferred to the broader authority and discre-
ton of Congress, with a full explanation
of the endeavor thus far made to deal with
the emergency, and a statement of the
considerations which have governed my
action.
[ suppose right and Justice should de-
termine the path to be followed in treating
this subject If national honesty is to be
disregarded and desire for territorial
extension OF dissatisfaction with a form of
Government not our own is to regulate our
conduct | have entirely msapprehended
the mission and character of our Govern
ment and the behavior which the con-
science of our people demands of their
public servants. When the present ad-
ministration entered upon it's duties the
Senate had under consideration a treaty
providing for the annexation of the Ha-
waiian Islands TO, the territory of the
United States Surely under onr Consti-
tuition and laws the enlargement of our
limits is manifestation OF the highest at
tribute of sovereignty and if entered upon
as an executive act all things relating to
the transactions should be clear aud free
from suspicion. Additional Importance
is attached to this peculiar treaty of an
nexatlOD, because 1t contemplated a de-
parture from unbrOken American tradition
in providing for the addition TO our terri
tory of islands of more than 1000 miles
removed from our nearest coast.
These considerations might lot Of them
selves call for interference with the COM
pletlon Of the treaty entered upon by the
previous administration, but it appeared
from documents accompanying the treaty
when submitted to the Senate that the
ownership of Hawaii was rendered US by
Provisional Government set up to succeed
the constitutional ruler of the islands.
who had been dethroned, and IL did not
appear that such Provisional Government
had the sanction Of either the popular rev.
OlutiOn or suffrage.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-19

Government of Hawaii might be over
turned by an orderly, peaceful revolution,
Minister Stevens writes as follows:
Ordinarily, in like circumstances. the
rule seems to be to limit the landing and
movement of United States forces in
foreign waters and dominion exclusively
to the protection of United States lega-
tions and of the lives and property of
American citizens; but as the relations of
the United States to Hawaii are excep-
tional, and in former years United States
officials here took somewhat exceptional
action in circumstances OF disorder, de-
sire to know how far the present Minister
and naval commander may deviate from
established International rules and prece-
dents in the contingencies indicated in the
first part of this dispatch"
To Minister of this temper, full of
zeal for annexation, there seemed to arise
in January, 1898, the precise opportunity
which by timely deviation from estab-
lshed international rules and presidents"
might be used to successfully accomplish
the great object in view; and we are quite
prepared for the exultant enthusiasm with
which, In letter to the State Department
dated February l. 1898. he declares:
''The Hawaiian pear is now fully ripe,
and this is the golden hour for the United
States to pluck il"
AS a further illustration Of the activity
of this diplomatic represen tative. attention
is called 10 the fact that on the day the
above letter was written. apparently un-
able longer to restrain his ardor. he issued
proclamation whereby ''in the name of
the United States" he assumed a pro-
tectorate of the Hawaiian islands and de-
clared that said action was taken pending
and subject to the negotiations at WASH
ington."
OF course. this assumption OF a pro-
tectorate was promptly diSavowed by our
Government, but the American flag re-
mained over the Government building at
Honolulu. and the forces remained on
guard until April and after Blouut's
arrival on the scene. when both were re-
mnVRd
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-19
REFERRED TO CONGRESS.

Actuated by these designs and purposes.
and not unmindful of the inherent perplex-
tiles of the situation, nor of the limitations
upon my power, l instructed Minister
Willis TO advise the Queen and her sup
porters of my desire to aid in the restora-
tion of the status existing before the
lawless landing of the United States forces
at Honolulu on the 10th of January last,
if such restoration could be effected upon
terms providing for clemency as well as
justice to all parties concerned.
The conditions suggested, as the last
Instructions show, contemplate general
amnesty to those concerned in making up
the Provisional Govern nent and the
recognition of all its bona-fde acts and
obligations. In short, they require that
the past should be buried and the restored
Government could resume its authority as
If its continuity had not been interrupted.
These conditions have not proved ac-
ceptabie to the Queen, and though she has
been informed that they will be insisted
upon, and that unless they are acceded to
the efforts of the President to aid in the
restoration her of Government will cease, l
have not thus far learned that she is will
ing to yield them her acquiesencs.
The check which my plans have thus
encountered has prevented their presenta-
ton to the members of the Provisional
Government, while unfortunate public mis-
representations Of the situation and exag-
gerated statements of the sentiments of
our people have obviously injured the
prospects Of successful executive media
tiOn.
I therefore submit this communication
with the accompanying exhibits embracing
Mr.. Blounts report, the evidence and
statements. taken by him at Honolulu,
the instructions given both to Blount and
Minister Willis and the correspondence
connected with the affair in hand. In COM
mending this subject to the extended pow-
ers and wide discretion of Congress l de-
sire to add the assurance that shall be
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-19
AN ACT OF WAR.

And so IL happened that on the 18th dav
OF January, 1893. between 4 and o'clock
in the afternoon, detachment OF marines
from the United States steamer Boston.
with two pieces of artillery, was landed at
Honolulu. The men numbered upward of
160 in all. were supplied with double car
fridge belt. filed with ammunition, and
with haversacks and canteens and were
accompanied by hospital corps, with
stretchers and medical supplies. This
demonstration upon the soil of Honolulu
was of itself an act of war, unless made
either with the consent of the Government
of Hawaii or for the bona-fide purpose of
protecting imperiled lives and property
of citizens OF the United States. But
there is no pretense of any such con.
sent on the part OF the Government
of the Queen, which was at that time un-
disputed and was both the de facto and
the de jure Government. In point of fact
the existing Government instead of re-
questipg the presence of an armed force
protested against It, There is as little
basis for the pretense that such forces
were landed for the security Of American
life and properly. Ii so they would have
been stationed in the vicinity of such prop
eTty and SO as TO protect it, instead Of at q
distance and SO as to command The Hawai-
ian Government building and palace. Ad-
miral Skerrett. the officer in command OF our
naval force on the Pacific station. has frank
ly stated that In his opinion the location of
the troops was inadvisable il landed for
the protection of American cltzsus whose
residences and places of business. as we'll
as the legation and Consulate. were in a
distant part of the city. but that the loo a.
ton selected was Q wise one il the forces
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-19
AMERICANS TOOK POSSESSION.

Thus It appears Hawaii was taken pos
session of by United States forces with
out the consent or wish of the Government
of the islands or of anybody else, so far as
shown, except the United States Minister
Therefore the military occupation of Homo
lulu by the United States on the day men,
toned was wholly without justification
either as an occupation by consent or as
an occupation necessitated by dangers
threatening American life and property.
IL must be accounted for in some other
way and on some other ground, and its
real motive and purpose are neither OBJ
scure nor far 10 seek. The United States
forces being now on the scene and favor
ably stationed, the committee proceeded to
carry out its original scheme. They met
next morning, Tuesday. the 18th. perfected
the plan of temporary government and
fixed upon its principal officers. ten
of whom were drawn from tie
thirty members Of the committee of
safety. Between and 2 o'clock. by squads
and by different routes to avoid notice, and
having first taken the precaution of ascer-
tanning whether there vas any one to Op-
pose them. they proceeded to the Govern
ment building to proclaim the new
Government. No sign of opposition was
manifest, and thereupon an American
citizen began to read the proclamation
from the steps Of the Government build
ing. almost entirely without auditors. 1t
is said that before the reading was fin
ished quite concourse of people-vari-
ously estimated at fifty to 100-some
armed aud some unarmed, gathered about
the committee TO give it aid and confidence.
This statement is not important. since the
one controlling factor In the whole affair
was uuquestiouaDly the United States
marines, who. drawn up under arms and
with artillery in readiness. and only sew
enty-six yards distant, dominated the situ-
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-19
STUBBORN FOR RESTORATION.

Believing, therefore, that the United
States could not, under the circumstances,
disclose annexation to these islands with
out justly incurring the imputation of
acquiring them by unjustifable methods, l
shall not again submit the treaty of an
nexaton to the Senate for Its considera-
ton. and in the instructions to Minister
Willis. copy of which accompanies this
message. / have directed him to so inform
the Provisional Government. But in the
present instance our duty does not, in my
opinion, end with refusing to consummate
this questionable transaction. 1t has been
the boast of our Government that it seeks
to do justice in all things without regard
to the strength or weakness Of those with
whom it deals. L mistake the American
people if they favor the odious doctrine
that there is nc such thing as international
morality; that there is one law for a
strong nation and another for weak one,
and that even by indirection a strong
power may. with impunity. despoil weak
one of its territory.
By an act of war. committed with the
participation of the diplomatic representa-
tive of the United States and without
authority Of Congress. the Government of
1eeDier out friendly and conhding people
has been overthrown. The substantial
wrong has thus heen done, which a due
regard for our national character as we'll
as the rights of the injured people. re-
quires we should endeavor to repair. The
Provisional Government has not assumed
a republican or other constitutional form.
but has rem aimed a mere executive council
or olgarchy. set up without the assent of
the people. 1t has not seen fit to find
permanent basis of popular support, and
has given no evidence of an intention to
do so. Indeed, the representatives of that
Cove ..ment assert that the people of
Hawaii are unfit for popular government
and frankly avow that they can best be
ruled by arbitrary or despotic power.
THE LAW OF NATIONS.
The law Of nations is founded upon
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-19
station and all the potential machinery of
the Goyarnmeut

station and all the potential machinery of
the Government"
But protest also accompanied said
treaty, signed by the Queen and her Min
isters at the time she made way for the
Provisional Government. which explicitly
stated that she yielded to the superior
force of the United States. whose Minister
bad caused United States troops to be
landed at Honolulu, and declared he would
support such Provisional Government.
The truth or falsity of this protest was
surely of the first importance. If it was true
nothing but concealment of its truth could
induce our Government to negotiate with
the semDance of Government thus cre-
ated, nor could a treaty resulting from acts
stated in the protest have been knowingly
deemed worthy of consideration by the
Senate. yet the truth or falsity of the pro-
test had not been investigated.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-19
THE ME SSAGE.
Now Before the Senate With the
Instructions to Willis.

:: WAsHINGToy. Dec. 1S-In the Senate
the iong-looken-for message from the
President as to the relations of the Gov
ernment of this country and tie Hawaiian
Islands was received, and its reading was
listened to most atteDtiyely. The message
is as follows:
TO tie Senate and House OF Repre-
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-19

visional Government, with this unanswered
protest in its hand, hastened to negotiate
with the United States for the permanent
banishment of the Queen from power and
for the sale of her kingdom.
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-19
With Secret Instructions to Negotiate First With
LiliuokaIani.
The Result Has Been the Worst Mudde History
American Diplomacy


After Long Delay the Presidents
Hawaiian Correspondence
Although by BIount, he Is
to
the
The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-12-19
THE LAW OF NATIONS.

The law Of nations is founded upon
San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-03-24

can policy. SO an entire set of new
new instructions We're prepared
and sent by telegraph to inter
cept Mr.. Blunt at San Francisco. In
these new instructions he was told
to recognize the existing protrac-
torate, while he scOurs Hawaii for
reasons against annexation. AS he
sails from San Francisco today or
tomorrow his instructions cannot
again be changed even if the adj
miniStratiOn should take another
SOmerSault.
Every train that goes out of
Washington is loaded with disap-
pointed office seekers, but as every
train which arrives is also loaded
with office seekers there is little T
no dimunitiOn in the crowd which
daily besieges the White House
and the Departments. r.
San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1893-03-24
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