The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-05-10
HAVE WE BETRAYED HAWAII

The action of Commissioner Blount
in hauling down the stars and stripes
in Hawaii has gwen rise to variety Of
comments. 1t is considered at the first
blush to have been ar unpariotic pro.
ceeding Mr. Bount is undoubtedly
acting under the instructions yf Presl-
dent Cleveland and his Secretary Of
State, although Mr. Gresham yesterday
pleaded ignorance Of the real situation
of Hawaii. Mr.. Carter, one of the Ha-
waiian Annexation Commissioners, eN-
pressed the general sentiment of our
people when he sad last night, refer
ring to the United States flag in Tia.
wali; owe had hoped when 1t was once
holsted, that annexation would be &C.
compllshed, and that it might never
again be hauled down
There are a number of reasons con
ceivable for the action Of Mr. BlounL
1t is stated upon good authority that the
Commissioner was sent to Hawaii with
specific instructions to sit down on the
annexation of the Sandwich Islands,
and, above all, to find a way to beat
the treaty" This is explained by some
as intended to afford Mr. Cleveland an
opportunity to act upon the Hawaiian
negotiations dc moro. This is oN-
tremely puerie, and exhibits a childish
caprlclousness entirely Incompatible
with the dignity always associated with
the Chief MaglstraCy Of the nation,
1t is limited that Mr. Cleveland is
conniving at the restoration of the roy
alists for reasons known only to him
self and his confidential associates.
This would not only be an unwarranted
interference with a foreign power, but
as well an outrageous betrayal of the
confidence and interests of the best
citizens of Hawaii, most of whom are
native Americans, who asked the pro-
lection of our flag and forces IN the
maintenance of peace and order and
the security of their lives and property
when theroyal regime became too rotten
to hold together. 1t would be also an
Endorsement Of the weak and wicked
legislation of Lilluokalani's government,
which sought to re-establlsh despotic
rule, denying to the white population
the right of suffrage, and the last act OF
which turned oyei, substantially the
entire country to the Louisiana Lottery
Company. And lastly it is lntimated
that behind the action of Commissioner
Blount is the influence of the Sugar
Trust, which has been in great fear
that annexation would result in the
establishment of sugar rehneries on the
islands. We cannot believe, however,
that such mercenary and corrupt con
Sideration could have any weight with
the government at Washington
In any event, the action Of Mr.
Blount was a precipItate proceeding
entirely unCalled for under existing
circumstances The Hawaii Annexation
Commissioners were still in this Coun.
try, and we had reached no definite
conclusion as to their proposals. The
Provisional Government had placed it
self under our protection pending ne
gotlatons, and we had accepted the
trust. By hauling down the United
States flag and removing our marines
we wantonly exposed the Provisional
Government to attacks by the royalists,
for which they have felt no necessity to
provide while under our protection
This unpatrjotic proceeding leaves both
parties in Hawaii at daggers point and
free to enter into all sorts of negotia-
tons with other powers looking to for
eign alliance.
Mr. Cleveland may be contented in
his own mind with the manner in which
our negotiations with Hawai- have been
conducted, but it is difficult for the
average American citizen to command
such spirit Of self-complacency, in
view of the apparent stigma which his
representative has placed upon our flag.
The American flag must never be
lowered when once thrown to the
breeze, except when honnor and justice
demand it-MdH and Express