Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1894-02-03
NUMBER II. =
DON ouIxorE STEVENS.
What an Authority on International raw
Says OF Him.

What an Authority on International law
Says OF Him.
One OF the points most hotly con.
tended for by the defenders OF Mr.
Stevens is that he only gave his recoy-
milton OF the provisional government,
as the dc facto government OF the
islands. after the committee of public
safety had taken possession of the gov
ernment buildings, archives and tr.as-
ury. and after the provisional govern.
ment had been installed at the heads OF
these respective departments. poss-
bly this NAV be true, although rery
strong evidence to the contrary ia Of
fered. 1t is possible that Mr. Stevens
nav have actually deferred recognition
OF the provisional government Until
such occupation of the public buildings,
but that does not seem to be the only.
or indeed the important, question In
the case. II by his action he coerced
the feeble administration of the queen
to Weld np its power and to succnmb
before the authority OF the United
States. then TO argue that he should es-
cape criticism because Of this delay IL
simply pettifogging. The expression
may be harsh. bat It is the only proper
one. The truth seems to be that he
had arranged the matters with the In
surrectionists; that he had given them
his promise; that the soldiers had boon
landed; that the moral forces at his
command were used and the physical
forces held ready for action, and when,
under these com bined influences, the
government resigned, he appeared for
the first time formally to recognize an
administration OF his own creation.
But even this attempt at palliation Is
disposed Of by Judge Dole, gentleman
in whom Mr.. Stevens places the high
es. confidence, and whose veracity he
must be the last man in the world to
fmpeach. Judge Dole writes on Janu-
ary II, 1898, the very day on which Mr..
Stevens had refused any longer to re-
gard Mr.. Parker and others as minis
tiers. and says:
Il acknowledge receipt of your
valued communication Of this day rec
ognizing the Hawaiian provisional gov
ernment, and express deep spprecia-
ton OF the same. We have conferred
with the ministers OF the late govern.
ment, and have made demand upon tho
marshal TO surrender the station house.
We are not actually yet in possession
of the station house; but as night Is ap-
preaching, and our forces may be In
sufficient TO maintain order. We request
the immediate support OF tie United
States forces" etc.
We must leave this highly respect
able man, Judge Dole, TO reconcile his
statement with Mr.. Stevens declarsr
ton II Judge Dole was telling the
truth, at a time when there was 10
reason why be should dissemble or dis
regard it, be WAS not in possession Of
the station house at the time when he
was thanking Mr.. Stevens for his req
ognition Of the provisional govern.
ment- Until these two gentlemen have
settled this question, /. must be as
sumed, with all tho probabilities in
favor Of the assumption, that Mr..
Stevens had actually as he certainly
had in intent promoted, encouraged,
aided and abetted the insurrection.
The downfall of the monarchy may
or may not be desirable event, the
queen NAV or may not be what her en-.
emles charge: Judge Dole and his asso-
ciates may absorb in themselves all the
cardinal and other virtues, but it Is diff