The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-11-15


attention in congressional circles, and
such senators and representatives as
are in the city are evinciuc liyelyinter-
est in the latest Developments. Even
a. this carly day it is accepted as in
eyitable that the matter will receive
congressional attention immediately
after the opening Of the session, and all
the indications poiuS to division on
s,ric. party lines. The Republicans
,ccep. tho Gresham lettera criticism
OF tho late administration, and the
rromptltude with which ex'President
Harr!son aud ex-Miniater Stevens have
responded has had tho immediate effect
oilining the Republicans up in oppos-
ition to the policy OF President C'eYe-
lands administration.
[, is the belief OF the Democratic |
leaders that whatever may occur at LA.
waiin the interval Presiden: Cleveland
will submit message at the opening OF
the regular session which will recite IN
detail many facts not hitherto known to
this country and present the case III
probably an entirely new light. III this
connection great interest is telt in the
report OF Special Commissioner Blount
which has never been made public and
as ii will accompany tho prospective
message the Democrats feel confident
that his researches will show that the
facts were such as TO warrant the radi'
Il ,lt,at ~ rnftnn
on THE Defense.
The Democrats expect to be placed on
the defensive at the beginning, because
they believe that the policy OF the Re.
publicans will be to attack the President
on constitutional grounds, it being con-
tended by them that the provisional
government OF Hawaii, having once been
recognized, to remove it now by force
will be equivalent to declaring an ag-
rressive war against an Independent
nation, thing only possible for the
President to do alter receiving the as
sent and concurrence OF Congress.
The Democrats who q day or two ago
were expressing themselves SO freely on
this diplomatic subject have shut up
quite suddenly, since the indications
have pointed to division on party
lines when the matter comes before
Congress.
Congressman Geary, OF California, q
member Of the committee on foreign
affairs, and whose constituents have
lively interest in the Hawaiian ques-
zion, to-day said: "All the facts are
not before the people yet and l would
prefer to say nothing until later. As
member OF the committee, too, it would
be ipdiscreet in me to express an opin-
ion on matter that maY come before
us for consideration.
srRlNGER's VIEWS.
Hon. William NJ. Springer, Of Illinois,
for many years member oil the COM
mittee on foreign adairs-notably dur
ing the Japanese controversy OF 1876
believes that President Cleveland will
he sustained by his party and tho coun'
try.
~ am thoroughly in accord with the
administration OH the Hawaiian ques-
ton" said Mr.. Springer. 81 believed
at the time that the government OF
Hawaii would not have been over
thrown but for the direct interposition
OF the United States marines, which
we're landed for tho purpose ef over
aWiug and overpowering tho legitimate
government aud establishing n pro-
visional government i'll its place. With
out tho presence OF our troops the pro.
visional government would have had nc
existence. Az we were then ut neaCs
with Hawaii there was no excuse what.
ever for this interposition. The excuse
that American property was in danger
was mere preteSt and without founda-
ton in fact. Our government therefore
having by force Of arms overthrown tha
legitimate government OF Hawaii, JUS
tiCe, international law aud the comfy
Of nations require that we should re-
place that government in statu quo"
"The Harrison administration" re.
sumed Mr.. Springer, did, it'a true, rec.
ognze the provisional government, and
it therefore became the duty OF MIR.
Cleveiands administration to maintain
the statu quo which he found when in
stalled into office until he could, through
his own agents, make careful and
thorough investigation OF all the facts
which led to the overthrow OF the HG-
waiiau government. Having made his
investigation through his own agents, it
was his duty to act upon the intorma-
tion which he obtained. This is what
he has done; and ii any criticism could
be offered it would be that hc had per.
hapS delayed too long to do an act OF
simple justice to weak and defensoless
people.
CorLDN'r ACT EARLY.
But exercising proper regard for the
late administration and pursuing the
usual considerate and careful methods
ot diplomacy, Secretary Gresham has
acted at perhaps rs early period rs It
MAS respectful for him to do-respect-
iul, mean, TO his predecessors in office.
! Om not 10 favor OF the annexation OF
Hawaii. Tho population is not
homogeneous; their civilization is diff
ierent from ours; we could no more in
corporate them into our body polite
than we could incorporate u portion OF
China. What VIC require is that Hawaii
shall be an Independent country where
our government will have equal rights
with all others, TO use the lapd as 4
coSlins station, rs q harbor refuge aud
as friendly port upon the high seas
Tor nj our merchant marine. And,
while am opposed to annexation by
inns government, am equally opposed
10 any other government sciEing the
Island aud ii England shou!d attempt
10 do 90 our government should regard
'tasa ed'i bt'G aud resent II accord