Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1893-12-23

ta the resolution OIL lne senate EfcSl-
dent Cleveland today transmitted to
songrcss IA special message on the
Hawaiian question. In opening the
message the president says though be
is unable to report any definite change
in the actual situation he is convinced
that the difficulties lately created both
here and in Hawaii are standing in
the way of a solution through eXecu-
tive aauon, rendering it eXpedient that
the matter be referred to congress.
the message then says: Il suppose
that right and justice should deter
mine the path to be followed in treat
ing this subject. If national honesty
is 10 be disregdrded and a desire for
territorial extension or dissatisfaction
with a form of government not our
own is TO regulate our conduct l have
entirely Inexperienced the mission
the behavior which the conscience of
our people demands Of public servants.
When the present administration en-
tered upon its duties the senate had
under consideration a treaty providing
for the annexation of the Hawaiian
islands to the territory of the United
States. Surely under our constitution
and laws the enlargement of our
limits is a manifestation of the highest
attribute of sovereignty, and if en-
tered upon as an executive act, all
things relating to the transaction
should be Clean and free from sus-
picion. Additional importance is at
tached to this peculiar treaty OF an
nexation because it contemplated a
departure from the unbroken American
tradition in providing for the add
ton to our territory of the islands OF
the sea more than two thousand
miles from our nearest coast. These
considerations might not of them
selves call for interference with the
completion of the treaty entered upon
by the previous administration. But
it appeared from the documents aC-
companyins the treaty when submit
ted 10 the senate that the ownership
of Hawaii was rendered to the United
States by a provisional government
ruler of the islands, who had been
dethroned, and it did not appear that
such provisional government had the
sanction either of popular revolution
or suffrage"
The president then refers TO what
ne terms the extraordinary haste,
not to say precipitaucy" which char
scterized all the proceedings leading
up to the negotiations of the treaty
and then its submission to the senate
showing that, from the initiation "
the scheme for a provisional gov err
ment till the submission of the treaty
70 the senate, only thirty-two days
elapsed, fifteen of which We're con
Sumed by the Hawaiian commission
ers in A journey to Washington. The
president says the treaty was not only
thus hastily negotiated but also in
fact no investigation was made into
the disputed question of the fact of
most vital impCs lance, to- wit, whether
the revolution was accomplished
through the aid of United States naval
forces stationed in the harbor at Homo
lulu. President Harrison, in the mes
sage accompanying the treaty, de
dared that the overthrow of the
monarchy was not in any way pro
NOTED by this government and the
secretary of state said in an accom-
panying document: mo public recog-
milton was accorded the provisional
government by the United States min
iSter till after the queens abdication,
but protest accompanied the treaty
gned by the queen and her ministers
which explicitly stated that she yield
cd 20 the superior force of the United
States whose minister had caused
nited States troops to be landed and
declared lie would suppost the provis-
iCnal government The president con
tinues: THE truth or falsity of this
protest is surely of first Importance.
II true, nothing but concealment of
It's truth could induce our government
20 negotiate with the semblance Of a
government thus created, nor could
a treaty resulting from the acts stated
the protest have been knowingly
'AlAtA NDIbug VI NOuoluel dtioh ~
The senate. Yet the truth or falsity
Of the protest has not been lnvesti-
gated"
The president then says he conceived
Il TO be his duty to withdraw the treaty
lending such investigation and tells
ai the appointment Of Mr.. Blount to
Nle work on account of his long ser
Vice in congress, his experience as a
member Of the committee on foreign
affairs and his high character He
refers to Blount's report as evidence
mat 10 submitting the treaty with the
statement that this government had no
part in overthrowing the queen, both
resident Harrison and the senate
We're misled He adds that the truth
81 Blounts conclusions are not depend
aaJ merely on Blount's word Of honor
~ his impartiality but is conclusive
n SHOWN By evidence which he sub
united with his report
lha message passes by win a mere
reference rs tho fact that 2 consider