The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1893-04-23
VIII Our Flag Float Over Hawai2

The news that Minister STEVENS will re-
turn to the United States next month Is
not unexpected. He would naturally make
way for q successor at the incoming Of a
new Administration, with methods and
Ministers OF Its own; INT the withdrawal
OF the protectorate which Mr.. STEVENS
established over the islands. would be an
otherRood reason for his resignation. But
above all. tho vague and underlined. yet
sweeping and effective. power exercised
by Commissioner BLoUNr must mako 1t
undesirable for Mr.. STEVENS to prolong his
stay In the islands. He would hardly care
to hold a divided authority. while being
still fully responsible as Minister.
His return. however. is likely to be OF
service to the cause he has at heart. Freed
from official trammels. no will be able to
explain to his countrynlen more In detail
the condition and needs OF Hawaii. He will
DO sure OF n generous appreciation OF the
spirit in which he acted. although Presi.
dent HARRISON was obliged to disapprove
his hosting Of our flag over Hawaii. and
although President CLEVELAND, in q ~reitera-
ton OF that d%isapproval has pulled the flag
down.
But the chief good to be hoped for from
his return Is the placing OF the entire re-
spOnslbility for American official relations
In Hawaii upon Commissioners BLoUNT.
Thenceforth Mr.. BLoUNT will not be a critic
Of MIR. STEVENS. or a counterpoise for him.
but tho American authority in Hawaii.
The departure OF Mr.. STEVENS seems likely
70 bring Mr.. BLOUNT into moro constant.
direct, and sympathetic relation with the
Governments; and such an association
should lead to O fuller appreciation Of the
spirit which prompts that Government not
TO perpotuate Its own authority. but to sac
rifce It by bringing Hawaii into the Union.
The longer mt the more intimately the
Hawaiian question is associated with Mr..
CLEvELAND's Administration, the greater
should be the probability Of finding the
answer to that question In annexation.
Secretary BAYARD was never accused of an
uuduly aggressive policy In the Pacific. yet
There was o wholesome ring In his instruc-
lions. given half q dozen years ago to our
Minister at Honolulu. that American citi-
sens in Hawaii must be protected In their
persons and property by the representa-
tives OF their country's law and power.
and no internal discord must DO suf-
fered to impair them. Your own aid and
counsel. as we'll as the assistance OF the
officers Of our Government vessels. II
found necessary. will therefore be promptly
afforded to promote the reign OF law and
respect for orderly government In Hawaii"
And 1t Is fair to add that Minister STEVENS
strictly observed the spirit Of those instruc-
tons In his declaration OF a protectorate.
under an exigoncy which he could not view
In the perspective and with the elaboration
possible afterward at Washington.
There was u wholesome ring. too. in the
spirited despatch OF Secretary BAyARD to
Mr.. PENDLEToN In January. 1888. when
Prince BISMARCK complained Of the atu-
tude Of our representative at Apia. Mr..
BAyARD passed 10 review the conduct of
Germany. Spain. England. and France In
the Pacific during the four years preced-
ing. He showed how Germany and Great
Britain had not only shared New Guinea
between them. but had drawn a line In
tho open ocean (which contemplated
the absorption by those two powers
OF almost all the independent territory
In the west Pacific" He showed
how Spain had acquired tho Carolines
and the Fellows and Germany the Mar
shalls TO which che added the Brown aud
the Providence Islands. lie spoke Of the
seizure OF the Louisiade. the Kermsdec. and
''tk"r Rronps by Grcnt Ryitr'n'ot Now Trc-