The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-12-22


no matter which party bears the flag.
Where the Morgan Resolution Leaves
the Hawaiian Matter.
With the adoption OF Senator MoRGAN's
resolution, the Hawaiian aflalr enters new
phase. That resolution simply directs the
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations to
inquire whether any irregularities have
occurred in the diplomatic intercourse be-
tween the United States and Hawaii. in
relation to the recent political revolution at
Honolulu. IL tho committee shall report
that such Irregularities have taken place.
and the report shall be adopted. it will be
In order for the Senate to censure tho per-
sons responsible for the misconduct. But,
as Mr.. MORGAN pointed out. 1t is purely do
mestic question: tho question whether our
own officials have been guilty OF q breach
OF duty. which the committee Is expected
TO consider. The committee Is not called
upon to define our international relation
with Hawaii. for that, as Mr.. MORGAN con-
coded, has been irrevocabiy settled by the
repeated and formal recognition OF the
Honolulu Government on tho part OF the
United States. as we'll as OF other foreign
powers. Let us see where this admission
made by Senator MORGAN. an admission in
which the Senate evidently concurs. leaves
the Hawaiian business.
In the nrst place, II IL evident that Mr..
CLEvELAND's policy. disclosed in the pub
lished letter Of Secretary GRESHAM and
formulated in the original instructions to
Minister WILLIS. is defunct. 1t has COL
lapsed like punctured soap bubble: it
has vanished as utterly as last years snow.
Mr.. WILLIS knows by this time that his in
structlons are dead letter, and the fact Is
equally well known to the inhabitants OF
the Hawaiian Islands. Mr.. CLEvELAND's
intention to upset the Honolulu Govern
ment either by force. or by threat OF
force. or by manGuvres that might create a
pretext for the use offorcc. has been definite
ly renounced. The supporters OF the Provi-
sional Government have no longer any cause
to fear an attempt on tho part OF Mr..
CLEVELAND to commit an act of war un-
authorized by Congress. 1t is equally GER
tain that Congress will never authorize
such an act. What. then, is likely to be done
by the United States in regard to the
Hawaiian Islands during the remainder of
the CLEVELAND Administration We an
swer. Nothing!
1t is not to be expected that the
islands will be- annexed by treaty; for
ono OF Mr.. CLEvELAND's first acts was
TO withdraw from the Senate treaty to
that end. 1t is true that. following the prec-
edent set In the case OF Texas. the two
Houses OF Congress might pass joint reso-
I luton in favor OF tho annexation OF the
Islands: but q proposal to that effect could
hardly compass anything except useless
agitation. inasmuch as Mr. CLEVELAND
would undoubtedly refuse to approve the
Joint resolution. So far. then. as the United
States are concerned. the question of an
neKing Hawaii seems destined to remain in
Lbeyance until the advent OF an Admins
tration which shall reflect more faithfully
the popular feeling on the subject.
This is a state Of things by no means ac-
ceptable to those who believe that the Ameri-
can flag ought to float over Honolulu: but
the situation would have been worse had Mr..
CLEVELAND succeeded in his secret and UNI
authorized attempt to upset friendly Gov
eminent. That Mr.. CLEyELASDs plan was
spoiled was due to no tardy misgiyng OF his
own touching the extent OF his authority;
for 1t was not until Dec. 8. that despatch
was sent TO Mr.. WILLIS, Informing him that
force could not be employed without the
consent Of Congress Long before that
time IL had been supposed that tho PrOyi-
sional Government would be ovsrthrOwn:
and the miscarriage Of the scheme must be
entirely attributed To Mr. WILLIs's good
sense. 1t took him but a few DAYS to dis
cover that his official superiors had entirely
misconccived the actual condition OF things
In Honolulu.
But while, owing to Mr. CLEyELAND'S
attitude, there seems 10 be nothing for
Congress To do in the Hawaiian matter ex-
eept to remain qniesceIt during the pres
ent Administrator, this is by no means the
case with the supporters Of the Provisional
Government at honolulu. When that Gov
eminent was established last January. its
authors believed that their request for
annexation would be granted. aud. So far as
their belief was tased on the observation Of
American feeling ON the subject, It We well
based. They accordingly described their
Government as provisional. the expectation |
being that it would presently be superseded |
py some form Of polty prescribed by the |
congress OF tho United States.
That expectation having been disappolnt-
ed. and there being no immediate prospect |
OF annexation. IL Is eminently proper that |
the Hawaiian cummonWcalth. following the |
course pursued by the American colonies |
In the Revolutionary epoch. should trans |
form its provisional arrangements into a |
definite and permanent form Of republican
government. As 10 the competence Of the