The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-12-21
HAWAIIAN SHUATI0N.
The Presidents Message to Congress
on that Subject

The President in his BesMge to Congress on
the Hawaiian stuaton7assys that although he
cannot announce any asffnite change in the
situation from what was detniied in his annual
message, yet he is convinced that the diffi-
culties are now in thsgway of satisfactory
solution. He continues:
suppose that right and Justice should determine
the path be followed in treating this subject. II
National honesty is to be disregarded and q desire
for territorial extension, or dissatisfaction with
form OF government not our own, ought to regu-
late our conduct, have entirely misapprehended
the mission and character of our Government and
the behavior which the conscience Of our people
demands of their public servants.
The President states that when the Admins
tration entered upon its duties there was pend
ing before Congress an important treaty, pro-
vding for annexation. additionally important
because it contemplated departure from I'M
broken American tradition in providing for the
addition to our territory of islands of the sea
| more than 1000 miles from our nearest sea-
coast 1t also appeared that the ownership of
Hawaii was rendered by a Provisional Govern
ment set mp to succeed the constitutional ruler.
Extraordinary haste characterized all the
transactions connected with this treaty, and
although it was stated by the Presidents mes
sage accompanying it that the overthrow of
the monarchy was in no way promoted by this
Government, it was counterbalanced by pro-
test from the deposed Queen stating that she
had yielded to the superior force OF the United
States. Choosing to investigate the truth of
this protest, the President selected Mr.. James
Blount, whose report he now transmits. and
which is backed by evidence Of high char
acter, also transmitted.
The President reviews Mr.. Stevens's report,
hints at inscriptions ambition on his part, is
convinced that lie was watchtully waiting for
an opportunity for annexation. and condemns
his acts.
The President tells the story of the incidents
in Hawaii as he has found them out to be, COM
ing TO the conclusion that Hawaii was forcby
taken possession of by the United States forces,
without the consent or wish of anyone in the
islands except that of the United States Min
lister.
Therefore" he says "the military occupa-
tion of Honolulu by the United States on the
day mentioned was wholly without justfca-
tioD, either as an occupation by consent or as
an occupation neccssiated by dangers threat
ening American life and property. 1t must be
accounted for in some other way and on some
other ground. and its real motive and purpose
are neither obscure nor far to SEEK"
The President goes on to say:
The Uni!ei States having, allied itself with the
Qneen = enemies, had recognized them as the trne
Government Of Hawaii, and had put her and her
adherenis in the position of opposition against law
FIJI authority. She knew that she could not with
stand tho power of the United States, but she be-
Iieved that she might safely trust to its justice.
Accordingly, some hours after the recognition OF
the Provisional Government by the United States
Minister the palnce, the barracks. and the police
station, with all the military of the
try, were delivered up by the Queen upon The rep
resentation made to her that her would
thereafter be reviewed mt Washington, and while
protesting that she surrendered to the superior
force of the United States, Whose Minister had
caused United States troops to- be landed at Homo
lulu and declared that lie would support the Pro-
vsionnl Government. md that she yielded her
authority TO prevent coltsio Of armed forces aud
loss OF life. and only until such time the United
States upon the facts being presented to it, should
undo the action of its representative and reiustate
her in the authority she claimed the consti,u-
tional sovereign OF the Ifawni@n Islands.
This protest delivered to the chief of the
Provisional GOverDment, who Endorsed thereon
his acknowledgment OF its receipt The terms OF
the protest read without dissent Ivy those ns-
Stunning to constitute the Prov sional Government,
who were certainly charged with The knowledge
that the Queen, instead of finally abandoning her
power. had appealed 10 the Justice of the United
States for reinstae ment i her authority; aud yet
the Provisional Government. with This unaDswer-
ell protest in its hand, liaseIed TO negotiate with
the Unied States for the permanent Punishment
of the Queen from power and for a sale OF her
Kingdom. f-g4
As tire President apprehends the situation
we are brought face to face with the following
conditions:
The lawful Government of Hawaii was over
thrown without the drawing Of sword or the
firing of shot by process every step of
which, it may safely be asserted, is directly
traceable to and dependent for its success upon
tho agency of the United States acting through
its diplomatic and naval representatives.
But for the notorious predictions of the
United States Minister for annexation the
Committee of Safety, which should be called
the Committee of Annexation, would never
have existed.
But for the landing of the United States
forces upon false pretexts respecting the danger
to life and property the committee would
never have exposed themselves 10 the pains
and penalties of treason by undertaking the
subversiOn OF the Queens Government.
But Tor the presence of the United States
forces in the immediate vicinity and in position
to afford all needed protection and support the
committee would not have proclaimed the Pro-
visiona Government from the steps of the
Government building.
And, finally but for the lawless occupation
Of Honolulu under false pretexts by the United
States forces and but for Minister Stevens's
recognition OF the Provisional Government
when the United States forces were its sole
support and constituted its only military
strength, the Queen and her Government
would never have yielded to the Provisional
Government, even for time and for the sole |
purpose of submitting her to the en-
lightened justice of the United States.
Believing therefore, that the United States |
could not, under the circumstances disclosed, |
annex the islands without justly mourning the |
i'm pu tation Of acquiring them by unj ustifahle |
methods, the President will not again submit !
the treaty Of annexation 10 the Senate for its |
consideration, and in the instructions to Min |
ster Willis a copy of which accompanies this |
have directed him to so inform the |
Provisional Government.
But in the present instance our duty does |
not in the Presidents opinion, end with refus- |
ing to consummate this questionable transac- /
ton. 1t has been the boast of our Government |
that it seeks to do justice in all things without |
regard to the strength weakness of those |
with whom it deals. | mistake the American |
people if they favor the edious doctrine that |
there is no such thing as international morality, |
that there is one law for n strong nation and |
another for n weak one. and that even by in |
direction a strong power may with impunity |
despoi a weak one of its territory.
BY an act Of war, committed with the partici- |
patton of a diplomatic representative of the |
United States. and without authority of Con- |
gross. the Government of feeble but friendly |
and confidng people has been overtIIrown. |
A substantial wrong has been done which n !
due regard for our National character as we'll |
as the rights of the injured people requires we |
should endeavor 20 repair. Il
The Provisional Government has not assumed |
q republican or other constitutional FORM but |
has remained a mere executive council or |
oigarchy, set up without tire assent of the peo-
pie IL has not sought TO: find a permanent |
basis of popular support and has given no evil |
dence of an intention to do so. Indeed the |
ren IA IF that & 10 hat