The herald., 1893-12-19

| work OF investigation Hon. James Ii.
Blount of Georgia, whose service OF is
years as a member OF the house OF rep
resentatives, and whose experience as
chairman of the committee on
foreign affairs in that body, and his con-
eequeut familiarity with international
topics, joined with his high character
and honorable reputation, seemed to
render him peculiarly fitted for the
duties entrusted to him. His report
detailing his action under the instruc-
tions given him and the conclusions de-
rived from his investigation, accompany
this message. These conclusions do
not rect for their acceptance entirely
upon Blount's honesty and ability as s
man, nor upon his scumen and imparti-
ality as an investigator. They are ac-
companied by evidence upon which they
are based, which evidence is also here
with transmitted and from which it
seems to me no other deductions could
possibly be reached than those arrived
by tie commissioner.
HARRISON MIsLED.
The report, with its accompanying
proofs and such other evidence as is now
before congress, herewith submitted,
justities, in my opinion, the statement
that when the president was led to sub
NIT the treaty to the senate, with the
declaration that the overthrow of the
monarchy was not in anyway promoted
by this government" and when the
senate was induced to receive and dis
cuss it on that basis, both the president
and the senate were msled.
An attempt will not be made in this
communication to touch upon all the
facts which throw light upon the
progress and the contamination
of the scheme OF annexation.
A very brief and imperfect reference to
the facts and evidence at hand, will
exhibit its character and the incidents
in which it had its birth. 1t is unneces-
sary to set forth the reason which in
January, 1898. led considerable por-
tion OF the American and other foreign
merchants and traders residing at Hon
olulu, TO favor the annexation OF Hawaii
to the United States. 1t is sufficient to
note the fact and observe that the pro-
ject was one zealously promoted by the
minister representing the United States
in that country. He evidently had an
ardent desire that it should become q
fact, accomplished by his agency and
during his ministry, and he was not
inconveniently scrupulous as to the
means employed to that end.
MINISTER STEVENS LETTERS.
On the 10Th day of November, 1892,
nearly two months before the first overt
act tending towards the subversion of
the Hawaiian government and the at
tempted transfer of Hawaiian territory
to the United States, he addressed q
long letter to the secretary of state, in
which the case for annexation was
elaborately argued on moral, political
and economical grounds. He refers to
the loss to the Hawaiian sugar interests
from the operation of the Mckinley bill,
and the tendency to q still further de-
probation OF sugar property, unless
some positive measure of relief were
granted. He strongly inveighs against
the existing Hawaiian government, and
emphatically declares for annexation.
lie says: I'm truth the monarchy here
is an absurd anachronism. 1t has moth
ing on which it logically or legitimately
stands. The frail basis On which it once
stood is no longer existing. The mon
archy now is only an impediment to
good government and an obstruction to
the prosperity and progress of the
islands,"
He further says: "As crown colony
| of Great Britain or territory OF the
United States government notifications
could be made readily, and q good ad-
ministration of the laws secured. The
destiny and vast future interests of the
United States in the Pacific clearly indi
cate who, at no distant day, may be
responsible for the government of these
islands. Under a territorial govern.
ment they could be as easily governed
as any of the existing territories OF the
United States. Hawaii has reached the
parting of the ways. Sae must now
take the road which leads to Asia, OIL
the other which outlets her in America,
gives her American civilization and
binds her to the care OF American des-
tiny"
He also declares: Zone of two courses
seems to me absolutely necessary to be
followed; either bold and vigorouE
measures for annexation or a customs
union. and an ocean cable from the Cal.
ifornia coast to Honolulu; Pearl harboi
perpetuslly ceded to the United States
with an implied but not expressly stipu.
lated American protectorste over the
islands. | believe the former to be the
better; that which will prove much
more advantageous to the islands and
cheapest and least embarrassing in the
end to the United States. Ii il was wise
! for the United States, through Secretary
Marcy, IS years ago, TO Offer 10 expen6
SlOO, 1000 to secure treaty OF annexation,
it certainly cannot be chimerical or un-
wise to expend 500, 900 to secure annex
alton in the near future. Today the
United States has five times the wealth
che possessed in 1874, and the reasons
now existing for annexation are much
stronger than they we're then. / cannot
refrain from expressing the opinion with
emphasis, that the golden hour is near
at hand"
THE ovER-zEALoUs DIPLOMAT.
These declarations certainly RhoW the
disposition and condition of mind which
may be uaefully recalled when inter
preting the significance of the minister 8
conceded acts, or when considering the
probabilities of such conduct on his part
as may not be admitted. In this view
it seems proper to also quote letter
written by the minister to the secretary
OF state on the 8th of March of 1892.
nearly year prior tothe first step taken
toward annexation. Alter stating the
possibility that the existing government
of Hawaii might be overturned by an
orderly, peaceful revolution, Minister
Stevene writes as follows:
"Ordinarily, in like circumstances,
the rule aeems TO be to limit the landing