Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-12-19

tires:
In my recent annual message 10 Con-
gress, briefly referred to our relations
with Hawaii and expressed the inten-
zion Of transmitting further informa-
ton on the subject when additional ad-
vices permitted. Though ] am not
able now to report a definite change IN
the actual situation, an convinced
that the difficulties lately created, both
here and in Hawaii, and now standing
in the way Of a solution through execu-
i've action Of the problem presented,
render it proper and expedient that the
matter should be referred TO the broader
authority and discretion OF Congress,
with full explanation Of the endeavor
thus far made to deal with the emer-
gency and a statement OF the con-
siderations which have governed my
action.
IsuppOse that right and justice should
determine the path to oe followed In
treating this subject. III national hon
esty is 10 be diSregarded and a desire
for territorial extension or dissatiSfac-
tion with q form of government not our
own is 20 regulate our conduct, / have
entirely Inexperienced the mission
and character Of our government and
the behavior which the conscience Of
our people demands Of
THEIR PUBLIC SERVANTS.
When the present administration en-
tered upon its duties che Senate had
under consideration a treaty providing
for the annexation OF the Hawaiian ISL
auds 90 the territory OF the United
States. Surely under our constitution
and laws the enlargement OF our limits
isa manifestation of the highest attri-
butte of sovereignty, and II entered upon
Esan executive act, all things relating
TO the transactions should be clear and
free from suspicion.
Additional importance is attached TO
this peculiar treaty OF annexation, be-
cause 90 contemplated a departure from
unbroken American tradition, in pro
vidirg for the addition 10 our territory
of 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
com pletiOn Of a treaty entered upon by
q previous administration, but IL ap-
Uearcd from the documents accompany
Ing the treaty when submitted 20 the
Senate, that the ownership Of Hawaii
was rendered TO US by a provisional
government, set up TO succeed the con-
stitutional ruler OF the Islands, who had
been dethrOued, and it did not appear
that such provisional government had
the sanction Of either the popular revO-
luton or suffrage. Two other remark
able features Of the transaction natur-
ally attract attention. One was the eX-
traordinary haste, not to say precipi-
fancy, charaCteriZing
ALL THE TRANSACTIONS
connected with the treaty. 1t appeared
that a s0-calied committee Of safety,
estensibly the source OF the revolt
against the constitutional government
OF Hawaii, was organized on Saturday,
tue fourteenth day of January; that on
Monday, the sixteenth, the United
States forces were landed at Honolulu
from q naval vessel lying Ia its haroor;
that on the seventeenth the scheme Oh
q provisional government was perfect
Cd. and a proclamation naming its OIL
GERS was on the same day prepared ana
read at the government buildings; that
Immediately thereupOn the Unltea
States minister recognized the proVls-
ional government thus created; that
TWO DAYS afterwards, on the nineteenth
day of January, commissioners repre-
eenting such government sailed
for this country IN steamer
especially chartered for the
occasion. arriving in San Francisco on
the 2Sth day OF January aud In Wash
iDgton on the Sd day Of February The
next day they had their first Interview
with the Secretary Of State and another
on the nth, when the treaty anneXlng
the islands was practically agreed upon,
and that on the 14th it was formally
concluded aud on the 18th transmitted
10 the Senate. Thus, between the lni-
tiatiou Of the scheme for q provisional
government In Hawaii on the l4th OF
January and the submission TO the Sen
ate OF the treaty Of annexation con
c.uded with such government, the en-
tire interval was thirty-twO days, tii-
teen of which were spent by the Ha-
Waiiau commissioners In
THEIR JOURNEY TO WASHINGTON.
In the next place uDon the face OF
the paper submitted with the treaty 10
clearly appeared that there was open
and undetermined an issue Of fact OF
the most vital Importance. The mes
sage OF the President accompanying the
treaty declared that 1.-THE overthrow OF
the u7 s.uorcey was not in any way pro-
NOTED by this government and in a let-
-. 2 NnHHr- u -. 81
of State also submitted 90 the Senate
with the treaty, the following passage
occurred:
AT the time the provisional govern
ment took possession Of the government
buildings, no troops or officers OF the
United States were present, or took any
part whatever 10 the proceedings No
public recognition was accorded to the
provisional government by the United
States Minister until after the Queens
RbdicatiOn and when they were I'm efFec-
tive possession of the government buOd-
ings, tbs archives, the treasury, the
barracks, the police station and an the
potential machinery Of the govern
mept."
But protest also accompanied said
treaty, signed By the Queen and her
ministers, az the same time she made
way for the provisional government.
which explicitly stated that she yielded
20 the superior force Of the United
States, whose Minister had caused
United States troops TO be landed ~
Honolulu and declared that he would
support
SUCH PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT.
The truth or falsity OF this protest