The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-03-14
THE REPORTS ON HAWAII.
FINDINGS OF THE FOREIGN
RELATIONS COMMITTEE,

Senator Morgan's Views on the Incl
dent Indorsed by the Republican
Members of His Committee
Blount's Appointment All Righ
and Cleveland Meant Well.
Avolume OF nearly eight hundred printed
pages exclusive OF maps) has been laid be-
fore the United States senste representing
the testimony taken by the Senate Commit
tee on Foreign Relations and their finding OF
tacts thereon, under a resolution directing
them to inquire whether any and il so what
irregularities have occurred In the d1ple-
matte intercourse between the United States
and Hawaii in relation to the recent revolu-
ton.
The report Of the majority of the commit
tee was prepared by the Chairman. Mr..
Morgan. of Alabama. 1t exhaustively re-
views the facts, the laws and the precedents,
justifies Mr.. Stevens's actions, excepting in
proclaiming protectorate, and finds moth
ing irregular in the appointment OF Mr..
Blount, but in effect says the evidence taken
by the committee under more favorable cir
cumstances leads the committee to different
conclusions than those which he formed.
This report Is concurred in as to all its
essential findings by the Republican men,
bers of the committee, Senators Sherman,
Frye, Dolph and Davis, making majority
Of the committee. They characterize it as
an exceedingly able document, but they dis
sent on five points.
1. They condemn the appointment Of
Commissioner Blount as unconstitutional.
2. They say the executive orders placing
the navy in the harbor OF Honolulu under
the orders Of Mr.. Rlount or Mr. Willis were
withouf authority of law
8. That the order of Blount to Admiral
Skerrett to lower the flag was unlawful and
susceptible of being construed as unfriendly
to the Provisional Government, and they re-
gard the intercourse OF Mr.. Blount and Mr..
Willis with the deposed Queen as violative
OF international law and unwarranted.
4. They consider the President had no
right TO reopen the predetermined legality OF
the Provisional Government.
S. They regard any discussion Of the per-
sonal intentions or good faith Of either Mr..
Blount or Mr.. Willis as immaterial, mas
much as what they did In regard to the re-
instatsment of the Queen was simply the
performance Of a task plainly commanded
OF them by this Administration. .s
The report OF the minority signed by Sem
ators Butler. Turpie, Daniel and Gray, all
Democrats. without denying or conceding
the correctness Of other portions OF the re-
declares that the only substantial irregular
ity in the conduct OF Mr.. Stevens, tho late
Minister, was his declaration Of protector.
ate by the United States over Hawaii" While
exempting from censure Captain Wiltse, OF
the Boston, and his officers because "their
position was one of extreme delicacy and
difficulty. and we appreciate their anxiety to
afford protection to the lives and property OF
American citizsns," they add "We cannot
avoid the conviction that the inoppor.
tune zeal OF Minister Stevens
in the project OF annexation OIL
tue Sandwich Islands to the United States
caused him to exceed the proper limits OF
his official duty, and Of his diplomatic rela.
tionsSo the Government and people OF those
islan0s. His conduct as the public repre-.
sentative of this Government was directly
conducive to bringing about the condition OF
affairs which resulted in the overthrow OF the
Queen, the organization Of the Provisional
Government. the landing OF the United
States troops, and the attempted scheme OF
annexation and upon this conclusion his
conduct is seriously reDrehensiole and de-
serving Of PUBLIC eensure. ... .L..-
Senators Butler and Turpie file supple
mental report In which they say that while
the question OF annexation was not submit
ted to the committee except incidentally,
they think 1t not improper to say they are
heartily in favor Of the acquisition OF these
Islands by the United States in proper
manner, but not by taking advantage of in
teKnal dfssensions for which they believe the
United States in some way responsible.