Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-11-13
ereignty of the Hawaiian government by
the assumption Of formal protectorate.

ereignty of the Hawaiian government by
the assumption Of a formal protectorate.
1t is gratifying to be able to state that
pending the negotiations leading up to the
treaty herewith submitted the undersigned
has received such assurances from the rep
world and from our own ministers abroad
as lead to the conviction that he tncorpo-
ration of the Hawaiian Islands into our
Union will be regarded by these powers with
satisfaction or ready acquiescence.
Instructions to Minister Stevens.
In his letter of instructions to Minister
Stevens, dated Washington, February IL,
Secretary Foster said:
80 far, therefore, as your action amounts
to according, at the request Of the de facto
sovereign government of the Hawaiian
Islands, the cooperation Of the moral and
material forces of the United States for the
protection of life and property from appre-
hended disorders, your action is commend
ed. But so far as 1t may appear to over
step that limit by setting the authority and
power of the United States above that Of
the government Of the Hawaiian Islands,
in the capacity 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 the
symbol and manifestation Of paramount au-
thOrfty, 1t Is diSavowed.
You are accordingly authorized, upon the
receipt Of these instructions, to arrange
with the commanding naval officer for the
continued presence on shore of such marine
force as may be practicable and requisite
for the security of the lives and property
| interests Of citizens of the United States,
| and the repression of lawlessness and pub
lie disturbance threatening them, whenever
in your judgment 1t shall be necessary
so to do, or when such cooperative meas
ures may be sought for good cause by the
| government of the Hawaiian Islands; be-
ing, however. always careful to make due
discrimination hpfwapn those funCttOnS
of voluntary or accorded protection and the
assumption of a protectorate over the Ha-
waiian Islands by the United States. No
step should be taken by you, or Will be
sanctioned by this government which might
| tend to derogate in any way from the in
dependence of the government of the Ha-
waiian Islands, which the United States
have recognized as sovereign and with
which they treat on terms Of sovereign
equality.
Our Relations From 1920 to 1898.
The report made by Mr.. Andrew H AL
len, librarian of the State Department,
upon the relations between the United
States and the Hawaiian Islands from
1890 to 1893 IL an interesting paper just
at this time as an index of the past re-
lations between the two countries. 1t was
prepared at the instance of Secretary Fos-
| ter in connection with the treaty of an
nexation. and accompanied President Har-
rison's message to the Senate on that sub
ject February 16 last AS summarized by
Secretary Foster. 1t shows that from an
early day the policy of the United States
has been consistently and constantly de-
eiared against any foreign aggression in
the kingdom of Hawaii inimical to the
necessarily paramount rights and inter-
ests OF the American people there, and the
uniform contemplation of their annexation
as contingent necessity. But beyond
that 1t Is shown that annexation has been
on more than one occasion avowed as a
policy and attempted as a fact Such a
solution was admitted as early as 1850 by
so far-sighted statesman as Lord Pal
merston. when he recommended to a visit
ing Hawaiian commission the contingency
or protectorate under the United States
or Of becoming an integral part Of this
Eation In fulhllment of a destiny due to
close neighborhood and commercial de-
pendence upon the Pacific states.
Contingent Deed of Cessfon.
Early in 1851 a contingent deed of cession
OF the kingdom was drawn and signed by
the king and placed sealed in the. hands
Of the commissioner OF the United States.
who was to open 1t and act upon its pro-
visions at the first hostile shot fired by
France in subversion Of Hawaiian indie
pendence.
In 1854 Mr.. Marcy advocated annexation
ana draft of a treaty was actually agreed
upon with the Hawaiian ministry. but its
completion was delayed by the successful
| exercise Of foreign influence upon the heir
TO the throne, and finally defeated by the
death of the king. Kamehameha Ill
In 1867 Mr.. Seward having become advised
OF strong annexation sentiment in the
Islands. instructed our minister at Honolulu,
1aVorably to receive any native overtures
Tor annexation. And on the 18th of Septem-
Der, 1851, he wrote to Mr.. McCook, that II
the policy of annexation should conflict with
the policy of reciprocity. annexation is in
every case to be preferred"
President Johnson in his annual message
| Of December 9, 1868, regarded reciprocity
with Hawaii as desirable, until the people
OF the islands shall of themselves. at no
distant day, voluntarily apply for admission
into the Union"
President Grant on Annexation
In 1871, on the 5th Of April, President
Grant in special message significantly
solicited some expression Of the views Of the
Senate respecting the ACCESSIBILITY Of an
nexation.
In an instruction of March Is, 1873, Mr..
Fish considered the necessity of annexing
the islands in accordance with the wise
! foresight of those who see a future that
must extend the Jurisdiction and the limits
| of this nation. and that win require a rest
| ing spot in midocean between the Pacific
coast and the vast domains of Asia. which
| are now opening to commerce and Christian
ana ne directed our minister
mot to discourage the feeling which may
| exist in favor of annexation to the United
States" but to seek and even invite infor-
| nation touching the terms and conditions
| upon which that object might be effected.
Since the conclusion of the reciprocity
| treaty of 1875, it has been the obvious policy
of the succeeding administrations to assert
and defend against other powers the ex-
| elusive commercial rights Of the United
States and to fortify the maintenance OF
the existing Hawaiian government through
| the direct support of the United States, SO
| long as that government shall prove able to
| protect our paramount rights and interests
Mr.. Blaine's Instructions.
On December l. 1881. Mr.. Blaine, in an
instruction to the American minister al
| Honolulu. wrote:
1t (this government firmly believes that
the position of the Hawaiian islands, as the
key to the dominion of the American Pa
cific, demands their benevolent neutrality,
to which end it will earnestly cooperate
with the native government. And If.
| through any cause, the maintenance of such
a position Of benevolent neutrality should
| be found by Hawaii to be impracticable,
| this government would then unhesitatingly
meet the altered situation by seeking an
| avowedly American solution for the grave
| issues presented
MIR. STEVENS STATEMENT.