The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-04-21

necessary advantage"
Another thing that he has satisfied HIM
self about is that there is no danger OF
| fighting and boodshed outside OF hoho-
lulu, and there only II the annexation
lists should unendurably irritate the
people as some OF the less judicious seem
Inclined TO do
Blounts mysterious powers and his
silence have made a great impression
on the Honolulu folks. he says Ihey
call Mr.. Stevens the Minister resident
and Blount the Minister reticent. MI
Nordhoff writes:
Though substantially functus of1cio-
Colonel Blount having plenary powers
Mr.. Stevens still goes about urging ana
encouraging annexation. His speedy
removal would help the situation here.
We know very well that Mr.. Nordhoil
is a cool. clear headed and dispassionate
observer. We have no doubt therefore
that he has given US an entirely trust
worthy account OF affairs in Hawaii and
this account makes 1t perfectly clear that
the revolution which has taken place
there is one originated and engineered by
fraction OF Hawaii's population. 1t may
be, and no doubt is, the entire American
portion OF the population, but that con-
stitutes, nevertheless. but fraction OF
that population. There are foreigners
there from many other countries-Eng-
lishmen, japanese. Chinese and Dutch.
There is no sort of evidence that any or
these foreigners are cooperating with the
Americans In the revolution they have set
on foot or that they desire the Islands to
be annexed to the United States; while IL
is perfectly plain that the entire body or
the natives oppose annexation. The ques-
ton presented to the people OF the United
States there is. shall We depart from
every principle Of our Government TO
forcibly annex TO ourselves country. an
overwhelming majority Of whose popula-
ton oppose annexation, merely because
that fraction of the population which Is
American desire 1t? The bare statement
OF this question conveys it's own answer.
1t is quite in order TO remark here upon
the clatter which Republican newspapers
are making over Mr.. Cleveland sending
Mr. Blount as a special commissioner to
Hawaii They say foreign representatives
OF the country must receive the indorse-
ment Of the Senate before they become
representatives, and, though the Senate
was in session when Mr.. Blount was sent
out. the President did not confer with it
upon the subject. The new Massachusetts,
Senator, Mr. Lodge, is quoted as saying
in the Senate:
Il think it desirable. that this country
should know who is responsible at the
Sandwich Islands. Mr.. Blount is simply
an agent of .the State Department, paid
out Of the contingent fund, and can only
be employed to get information. l am at
a loss to understand what the President
means by saying that Mr.. Blount has
paramount authority. He is not an
officer appointed according to law. and
can have no authority, strictly speaking,
whatsoever
This is a very small sized tempest in
teapot. The American Minister had no
sort of authority TO order the officer COM
handing the Boston TO raise the Ameri-
can flag on the public buildings at Homo
lulu or to camp his marines in the city.
Our diplomatic representatives, can give
no orders whatever to our military Of
ficers. The officer commanding the Bos-
ton did these things on his own respon-
sibilty trusting to be excused by the
exigency of the case. and the advice and
opinion OF the Minister. But that officer
must receive and obey all orders sent
TO him by the President, who is his
superior officer. The President could send
him an order to haul down our flag that
he had raised and to take his marines
back to his ship by Mr.. Blount as well
as by any other agency. This Is all that
he has done. He has. however, communi-
which he desired that himself and Mr..
Biount shall stand 10 each other and
Mr.. Stevens has no doubt had the good
sense to respect the Presidents wishes.
He would be a great fool if he did not,
as the President may recall him when
he chooses, and send another Minister
who will cooperate with Mr. Blount.
No question Of power. therefore. is in
volved in the case. 1t is the ordinary
case OF the President wishing reliable
information concerning the real facts of
the case. and sending out a trustworthy
man TO get that information for him.
This is the whole matter, and, II the
President wishes Mr.. Blount to go. and
MIR. Blount is willing to 60 we see moth
ing in it to concern any one else.