The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-12-06
THE REPORT ON HAWAII.
MINISTER BLOUNT'S CONCLU-
SIONS MADE PUBLIC.
A Synopsis of the Voiuminous Docu-
ments--Why He Hauled Down the
United States Flag-NIinister Stew
cns's Alleged Haste in Acknowl-
cd~ino tho Professionals.

United States Flag-Nlinister Stew
cns's Alleged Haste in Acknowl-
edging tho Professionals.
Secretary OF State Gresham has made pub
lie all the correspondence between the Secre-
tary o! State and James H. Bount. Commis
sioner and later Minister to the Hawaiian
Islands. Mr.. Gresham. in giving this volu-
minous printed matter to the press explained
that it included everything connected
with Mr. B!ounts mission TO Ha-
waii, with the exception Of some sta
tistical tables relating to the islands. The
matter consists Of three parts, tho hrst De-
ginning with copy ofthe instructions given
Mr.. Blount on March II, 1898. prior to his
departure from Washington for Honolulu :,
the second his report. and the last part end-
inc with brief letter under date OF July 81,
1895
Mr.. Blount arrived at Honolulu March 30.
1898. In his report he calls attention to his
reception by Minister Stevens, VINO. ''accom-
panied by committee from the Annexation
Club, came on board the vessel which had
brought me- He informed me that this
club had rented an elegant house, well fuS-
nished and provided with servants and
carriage and horses for my use. that l could
pay for this accommodation just what Ichose,
from nothing up. He urged me very ear
nestIy to accept the offer. declined II, and
informed him that should go to hotel.
The committee renewed the offer, which
was declined. He also refused to accept prof.
fered favors from the ex-Queen.
Concerning the position OF the United
States in the islands he says: ''The troops
from the Boston were doing military duty for
the Provisional Government. The American
flag was floating over the Government Build
ing. Within the Provisional Government
conducted it's business under an American
,.rotectorate, to be continued according to
the avowed purpose of the American Minis
ter. during negotiations with the United
StHt"S for annexation.
Ny instructions required me to make In
ur:-;ss which in the interest Of candor and
Irn,l could not be done when the minds of
thousands Of Hawaiian citizens were full OF
IN certainty as to what the presence OF Ameri-
ar troops. the American flag and the Amerl-
can protectorate implied. It seemed neces-
sary that all these influences must be with
drawn before those inquiries could be prose-
cuted in a manner beitting the dignity and
power Of the United States.
.:I,spired with such feelings and confident
no disorder would ensue directed the re-
movnl OF the flag of the United States from
the Government Building and the return OF
the American troops to their vessels. This
was accomplished without any demonstra-
ton OF jov or grief on the part OF the popu-
lace"
Mr.. Blount then tells how Minister Stevens
cale upon him with W. G. Smith. who rep
resented that the withdrawal OF the United
States marines meant that the Japanese
would land troops from u man-of war IN the
nerbor. The American Minister expressed
his helief in the statement.
On, bit of his testimony is certificate
fronF. Wundenberg. This witness was
deputy clerk fthe Hawaiian Supreme Court
, au .aimed that his information was de-
r.val rom personal attendance at all the
cou rr .nces Of the Committee OF Safety with
VI ,ca he claimed to have acted "in good
fa Il" up to the time the stars anu STRIPES
w.re hoisted.
Wunderberg says that the Committee OF
81 ETY. met at 4 o. N. January 16, 1898, and
decided that it was not ready for the landing
o;the American troops and sent com
nittee to tell Minister Stevens OF their de-
cision. He Is said to have replied Gentle
men. the troops Of the Boston will land at .
o'clock thi" afternoon whether you are ready
or not"
The troops were landed after business
hours when all was quiet, and WunderoerS
testifes that nobody appeared to know why
they were there.
The committee came together again that
evening and invited John 81. Soper 10 act as
Conmander-in-C Chief of the forces to support
the new Government which was TO be de-
clared. Soper declined the appointment
until after Mr. Stevens had been communi-
Gated with and had definitely promised re-
cogntion of the Provisional Government
and the support of the marines OF the Bos-
ton.
the new Government was proclaimed, ac-
,.ordins to Wunderberg. at 2.40 p. m. on
January 10, before dozen or more loungers
and thirty contederates, with American ma
r,nes under arms in temporary barracks not
hundred yards away.
Wunderoerr declares that the basis OF ac-
ton throu yhout was the general understand
ing that Minister Stevens would keep his
promise to support the movement With the
Boston's men. Otherwise. ne testlfles, the
movement would not have been attempted,
or il attempted would have ended in misera-
BILE failure, followed by the Imprisonment or
death Of those who participated.
long interview with Dir. S. A. Damon,
president of the Advisory Council of the Pro.
yis,onal Government, also embodied in the
report reveals the story in a different light.
He stt.red that the Committee OF Safety sepa-
rated and trayersed the streets with caution
to avoid the Queens police.
J. O. Carter, one otthe leading revolution
lists. informed Commissioner Blount that he
wis ore OF the delegates who went to inform
the Queen that she was deposed. He had
been told that Minister Stevens had recog-
nized the Provisional Government and coun-
seled the Queen to avoid demonstration by
her forces that might cause O conflict with
The United States Government, and that her
case would be Justly considered at Washing
q ton.
The report makes it appear that Minister
Stevens recognized the new Government
before it was installed, and that such recog-
milton was fourished rs i weapon to assist
in intimidating the Queen into a5dication.
SAYS Mr.. Blount The leaders OF the revo-
lu,ionary movement would not have under.
taken it but for Mr.. Stevenss promise
to protect them against any danger from
the Government. But for this their mass
meeting would not have been held.
''But for this no request to land the troops
would have been made. Had the troops not
been landed, no measures for the organiza-
ton OF new Government would have been
taken. The American Minister and the
revolutionary leaders had determined on
annexation to the United States, and bad
agreed On the part each was to net to the
: very end"
In conclusion OF this report, for the re-
mainder is made up entirely Of statistical
matter and disquisition upon the trade OF
the island and the character of the popula-
ton, MT. 6iOunt SilyS' Hat Il Ceep WfOuo
has been done the Queen and the native race
by American officials prevades the native
mind and that Of the Queen. rs we'll us n
hope for redress from the United States,
there can be no doubt.
.'In this connection it is important to
note the inability Of the Hawaiian peo-
pie to cope with any great power. and
their recognition Of it by never Offering
resistance 10 their encroachments. The
suddenness of the landing OF the United
States troops, the reading OF the procia-
nation OF the Provisional Government