The herald., 1893-11-18
TALK ABOUT HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS
Ex-Minister George w. Merrill
Gives His Views.
The Present Status of the Provis.
i0nal Government.
What He Thinks About the State of
Feeling on tho Islands and OF
the Action OF the Ad-
mjnistration.

George W. Merrill, ex-United States
minister to Hawaii, was interviewed
yesterday by HERALD reporter in re-
gard to the Hawaiian imbroglio.
Mr.. Merrill passed through two revo-
lutions in Hawaii and ia thoroughly con-
versant with the methods of both the
former monarchical government and the
present provisional.
In the course of conversation Mr..
Merrill said:
II regard the multifarious comments
on the instructions to Mr.. Willis at Ha-
waii as premature. Nothing is authori-
tatively known to the public as to the
tenor Of those instructions, and it is but
fair to presume when president of the
United States and his cabinet are unan-
imous in their views upon any important
foreign policy, as they, in this instance,
appear to be, that the instructions to
United States diplomatic agents are in
accord with the genius of our institu-
tions and not against the spirit of the
letter of the constitution or laws of our
country.
do not for an instant apprehend that
the president has authorized any agent
of this government to declare war
against Hawaii, or to perform any other
act tantamount to war.
AS to conflict between the adherents
OF the queen and the provisional gov
ernment, that would seem hardly prob.
able, when you consider that at the time
the queen yielded under protest, as she
claims. to the superior force of the
United States she surrendered all the
arms and ammunition in the possession
of those then in authority to the present
provisional government, and since that
time it has no doubt zeslously guarded
against the Importation of warlike ma
terials.
As to the policy of placing affairs in
statu quo ante, that is a matter to be de-
termined by the facts existing at the
time of her surrender OF authority,
which doubtless are faliy evidenced by
documents in possession of the state de-
partment.
If great wrong has been done by our
government, through the instrumental
ity of any of its accredited agents, be-
lieve that the people of this country are
broad-minded and brave enough and
possessed OF sufficient genius to devise
some proper method whereby such q
wrong can be righted.
IN view of many newspaper comments
to the effect that the United States GOV
ernment is attempting to uphold mon
archy in Hawaii, would say that such
charge cannot be sustained, unless /
am deceived as to what constitutes a
republic. In America l understand that
it is government of the people, by the
people and for the people.
"In Hawaii the fundamental law or
proclamation on which the present pro-
vieional government is based provides
that the Legislative authority OF the
country shall consist OF an executive
and advisory council, aud that such
council, acting jointly, shall have
council and to fill such or any other
vacancy thereby rendering itself sell
perpetuating. This proposition has
never been submitted to the Hawaiian
people,"
"Would the reinstatement of Queen
Liliuokalani upon the Hawaiian throne
be constitutional, in your opinion?"
well. am hardly prepared to state.
You see the provisional. government
provided in its proclamation for its own
existence until the annexation OF the
islands to the United States. Now, if
the provisional government should OBJ
ject to the reinstating of the queen, it
would be necessary for the United States
to declare war against the provisional
government.
''In view of these facts l could hardly
express any opinion as to the constitu-
tionality of such proceeding. Too
many questions are involved, and
should be obliged to refer to my author
tiles ON International law
''In your opinion, should the queen
be reinstated?"
Personally, think she ought"
As the reporter left Mr.. Merrill pointed
to a heap of newspapers, and remarked
II am keeping these papers, just for
the illusions to this Hawaiian affair. 1t
is amusing to note the many and absurd
statements which are daily made. The
idea of the provisional government be-
ing republic-Hal Hall don't want
any of it in mine, if it is."
Misses Edith and Maud Auld of Hon
olulu are visiting Mrs. s. Benjamin for
bo uinfar roontho OF M south