The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1893-12-29

ond whose experience - man naI,-
committee on foreign affairs III ~, ~,
and his consequent fah1lall's W.
t;,nnl 49, +nr;,.s io;nel with his high char.
n,.tnr and honorable reputation. see1'l,Ni
n render him peculiarly fitted Tor 'ne
d,,t;es entrusted to him His renoff "'-
t,;I;r~ his action under the instrucnoh>
,,;ran IN bir, and the conclusions "'-
r;,oa from his investigation acVoN'pa"!
Stocking Of cx-NIinistcr Stevens con.
nnction with the matter the ffesioei''
SAYS: r., ,ho
II is unnecessary to set forth the
reason which in January, leo"' 'e"
considerable portion of American anu
nthrr foreign merchants and ifadeis -
siding at Honolulu TO favor lne dl'i''A
tiea of Hawaii 10 the tnllcd S'atee
is sufficient to note the tact ana ~ -
serve that the project was one ~
was zealously promoted by the iiihlS"
representing the United States III t ,na
country. He evidently had an al"en'
desire that it should become ia''
conlplished by his agency ana uoi'Is
his ministry, and was not lhtoiiN lhtoiN,'.al ~
scrupuious as to the means ehlp!o'ea
that end. OF course the assumption o. -
protectorate was promptly dlsavoWtd ~
eur government. but the Amefivan ne
remained over the government bui'dlGS h'
Honolulu. and the forces rchalileo W
guard until April. and after MI. bio"h.
arrival on the scene, when both were ie-
moved. .,
Here follows a brief statement OF lle
occurrences folowin. Mr.. Blouh' ~
rival on the scene. t &C ther WIFE eAuaS'>
from his report which has ;Te"os ''ee'
Published. Ii
The president then sums up IN" condi-
tiouS of thp situation as follows ne
lawful government of Hawaii was over,
thrown without the drawing OF !; SWORD
or the firing of a shot by process every
step of which. it lay safely he asserted,
is directly traceable TO and dependent 10Y
its success upon the agency OF the tshit-
ed States government through It's dl-
plomatic and naval representatives. bn'
for the notorious predictions OF the
United States minister for annexation
the committee of safety, which should bc
called the committee of annexation "ouiu
never have existed. But for the landing
of the United States forces upon false
preteNts respecting the danger 70 NE
and property the committee would never
have exposed themselves to the pans
and penalties of treason by undertaking
the subversicn of the queens government.
But for the presence of the United States
force in the immediate vicinity and in
position to afford all needed protection
and support the committee would not
have proclaimed the provisional govern
ment from the steps of the government
building and finally. but for the lawless
occupation Of Honolulu under false pre-
texts by the United States forces. and
bet for Minister Stevens, recognition of
the provisional government wheB the
United States forces were its sole support
and constituted its only military strength.
the queen and her government would new
er have yielded to the provisional govern
ment, even for a time. and for the sole
purpose of submitting her case to the
enlightened justice of the United States.
Believing. therefore. that the Initen
States could not. under the circumstances
disclosed. annex these islands without
justly incurring the imputation Of ac-
quiring them by unjustifiahle methods. |
shall not again submit the treaty of an
neXation to the senate for its considera-
ton. and in the instructions to Minister
Willis, scopy Of which accompanied
this message, ! have directed him to SO
inform the provisional government, but
IN IN the present instance our duty does
not. in my opinion. end with refusing
to consumate this questionable transac-
ton. II is the boast of our government
that il seeks to do justice in all things
without regard to the strength or weak
ness Of those with whom it deals. mis-
take the American people if they favor
the odious doctrine that there is no such
thing as international morality. that
there IS one law for strong nation and
another for n weak. and that even by
indirect means strong power may
with impunity despOil a weak one Of its
territory. By an act Of war committed
with the participation of a diplomatic
representative of the United States aad
without authority of congress. a govern
ment Of a feeble but friendly and cont
hdlng people has been overthrown
substantial wron. has thus been
done. which due regard for our national
character as we'll as the right of the IN
]ured people required that we should en-
deaNor to repair The provisional GOV
ernment has not assumed q republican or
other constitutional form. but has re-
NAMED Il mere executive counci or
ohSarchy. set up without the assent of
the people. II has not seen fit to find a
permanent basis for popular support and
mas gwen no eshience Of an intention to
DO SO. Indeed. the representatives of
that government assert that the people of
Hawaii are unfit for popular government
ana frankly ayoW that they can best be
lmled by arbitrary or despotic power
lhe law OF nations is founded upon rea-
son and justice and the rules of conduct
governing individual citizens or subjects
OF civilized state as equally applicable
as between enlightened nations. The
considerations that international law Is
without court for its enforcement. and
1hnt obedience to the commands practi
cally depends upon good faith instead Of
upon the mandate Of superior tribunal
only give additional sanction 10 tho law
l!self, and brand any deliberate infrac-
lon OF IT not merely as a wrong but as q
disgrace. 4 man OF true honor protects
ane un"rlften word which binds his con
science more scrupulonsiy. If nossiha
than he does the bond. the breach of
which subjects him to legal Liabilities
and the United States in aiming to main.
tain itself rs one of most enlightened
q nations would do its citizens gross IN
justice II II applied to its internal rela-
,lohs any other than high standard of
honor and morality. On that ground tho
United States cannot propcr'y no MI :,