Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-04-15

It's AdaptaDll1Ly 10 Iuo 1SldnuS'
Mr.. Blount's Act Generally
Commended as Wise and
Proper.
WASHINGTON, April 1.-THE start
ling news from Honolulu Of the hauling
down OF the United States flag, 1t Is
said, was the subject of animated dis
cussion at the Cabinet meeting to-day.
Before going into the Cabinet room,
Secretary Gresham said to a reporter
that he had received no information
whatever aside from that printed In the
papers. When questioned further as 10
the truth of the statements contained In
special dispatches TO Western news
papers that Mr.. Blount was connivlng
at the restoration OF Queen Lilioukalani
and would support her return TO the
throne IL need be by the forces OF the
United States Steamship Boston, he said
he knew nothing about IL and declined
to express any opinion upon the subject:
There is diplomatic reticence around
the White House concerning the nature
OF the instructions given Commissioner
Blount in his mission TO Hawaii, out IL
is stated with some positiveness that he
was given authority for hauling down
the stars and stripes at Honolulu. 1t Is
understood that Mr.. Blount was given
definite instructions TO withdraw the
protectorate OF the United States over
Hawaii In order that this government
might find itself treer in dealing with
the main question of annexation, ont on
the day of his departure for San Fran
cisco he was cautioned to contide this
information TO no person whatever In
order that the motives aud the inten-
tions OF the administration might not De
construed so as TO cause trouble among
the HawaiIans. On the afternoon OF
his departure from Washington, Mr..
Blount spent some time at the
White House. The Cabinet was In
session, and Mr.. Blount was called In
and discussed with the President and
his official family the manner OF his
course TO be pursued in Hawaii lie
left for San Francisco that night, but
the nature of his mission leaked out
before he was thousand miles from
Washington. and news was telegraphed
to San Francisco where Mr.. Burk,
Queen Liloukalanfs agent, learned IL,
and started Immediately for Honolulu.
So when Mr.. Blount arrived at his des-
tination the knowledge Of his business
had preceded him. II was not the IN
tentlon TO keep secret what that busi-
ness was with the exception OF the fact
that the Commissioner had authority to
declare the protectorate at an end. The
exception was guarded carefully by Mr..
Blount for the reason given, IL is said,
by the President that II the fact that
the American flag was to be hauled down
became known, it might create trouble
and bloodshed, and also offer
temptation TO foreign nations
TO step in and secure the prize before
the United States could offer an ex-
planation OF its course. Mr.. Blount
followed his instructions to the letter.
He waited until the excitement incident
to his arrival had completely died out
and affairs were in tranquil state be-
fore making known that the protector
ate was az an end. He also made IL
known at the same time that the United
States would still consider Hawaii and
the Hawalians under its guardianship,
so far as outside interference was con-
cerned, and in this also showed the
caution which Mr.. Cleveland and
Secretary Gresham had impressed on
him TO deprive the announcement OF
ANYTHING of sensationalIsm. These are
said TO be the facts In the matter with
reference TO the instructions OF Mr..
Blount.
Mr.. Charles l.. Carter, one Of the an
nexatlon commissioners, was seen and
asked II he had any news. he replied
in the negative. but stated that he fully
expected to hear something In the
course OF the day. Speaking Of the
lowering Of the United States flag by
Mr.. Blount's order, Mr.. Carter said:
az do not think IL means reversal OF
the policy OF the government as ex-
pressed by the late administration.
Secretary Fosters attitude was salts
factory to the annexationists and be
promptly disavowed the protectorate.
The force Of marines was posted on
duty in response TO the request OF the
provisional government 70 protect per-
sons and property against assaults and
danger from the natives. The necessi-
ty for this has passed, the annexation
movement has gained strength and
members and President Dole announced
that IL is able 70 maintain itself IL not
assisted from without. We had hoped
when 1t was once holsted that 1t might
never again be hauled down."
Up to the hour OF closing the Depart
ment OF State no information had been
received there regarding the action OF
Commissioner Blount. In the course Of
the afternoon Mr.. Carter had an Inter
view with Secretary Gresham, which he
said was quite satisfactory"
Mr.. Carter is arranging 10 make .
tour OF the South to investigate the
subject OF negro labor anc the ptcbal
bilities Of securing supply for HAWAI-
He SAYS IN annexation is consummatedS !
the present contract system by which
Chinese and Japanese laborers for the
sugar island OF Hawaii are secured,
must be abandoned and Sosthern negro
labor will be the most available substi-
tute.
Senator Paimef, OF LIMOS, sees Do
reason for alarm in the action OF Com
missioner BloOnt. 81 can scarcely see. ("
said the Senator, "that the act OF Mr..
Blount can be construed as an abandon
ment on the part OF the present admin
istration OF all intentions concerning
the Islands. II. 10 my mind, signifies
rather that precautIon which the i'm
portance OF the situation suggests 30
that the matter Of annexation or the es,