Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-01-12
BLOUNT'S TESTIMONY Y
COURSE OF THE PRESIDENTS COM
MISSIONER IN HAWAII.
Nothing New Developed There or in the
Matter Of the Recent Willis
Dispatches.

WASHfNGION, H. -, JaNudTy lls-li''
Blount to-day appeared before the sub
committee OF the Senate investigating
Hawaiian affairs.
The efforts OF the committee were d.
rected more to securing an explanation
from Mr. Bount OF his various acts while
In Honolulu than to obtaining from him
an accurate account Of his mission. Of
which the committee was already sufh-
ciently Informed through his official re-
port The trip to the Islands on the Rush.
the landing at Honolulu on the 18th OF
March. and his reception by the people
on both sides OF the question were passed
over almost without mention, as was the
fact that both Annexationists and Royal
lists were apparently exceedingly anxious
to make his stay as pleasant "a possible.
THE LOWERING OF "OLD GLORY
Then came the decision TO have the
American ensign taken down and the
American soldiers returned to the man-of-
war He had found the Islands and the
government entirely under the control or
protection Of United States troops The
American flag floated over the government
building. in which the officers Of the Pro-
visional Government conducted their busi-
ness. Everywhere was noticed the In
fluence Of this country upon the people
OF the islands II was evident that 1t
would be difficult TO secure an impartial
account or opinions uninfiuenced by sur
roundings, as long as this state OF af-
fairs continued. Consequently, ne de-
cided on the 3lst OF March, syo days after
His arrival that, in accordance with the
spirit Of his instructions, and in the IN
\ -
taken down, and the American troops
removed. or this decision he informed
President Dole and on The following day
the lst of April-he ended the temporary
protectorate, and had the flag lowered.
This proceeding ne defended as within the
scope Of his mission, and an entirely pro-
per proceeding under the circumstances.
Subsequent events proved that the pres
cnce Of American troops was not neces-
sary 10 preserve order or protect the life
and property Of either Americans or ma
tive9.
THE COMMISSIONERS METHODS
There was some conyersati0h about the
secretiye method which Mr. Blount EN-
plOyed In collecting his information. by
having none but himself and a stenogra-
pher present, and the witness not being
prepared 10 make a complete statement
Mr.. Blount again replied that IT was a
part Of the authority he exercised. and
that he collected testimony in the manner
he thought best
II was evident that Mr.. BlOunt was de-
termine1 not to allow the committee tC
have any advantage over him, and that
he still held that his position as speca
commissioner did not give the Senate the
right 20 question his procedure while act
ing with authority not conferred by the
Senate. Throughout the whole eXamina
tiOn there was this feeling. and while Mr
Blount was willing 20 give the committee
all the facts in his possession which h1,
not been laid before them. he quietly re
sentcd any attempt 10 question his au
thority 10 act as he did or his method O
procedure.
The committee was compelled 10 admit
that very little Information had been ob
talned from Mr. Rlount. and that littl'
further light had been thrown on the stu
alton I'm Hawaii.
THE WILLIS DISPATCHES.
The receipt of DISPATCHES from Minister
Willis officially conveying 90 the Unite,
States Government the Information tina
tho Provisional Government Of Hawai-
had refused 10 accede 20 his demand I,
step down and out had it's sequel thh
morning. III n conference lt'lNfH'u lii'
President and Secretary Gresham. Th'
conference began early. and the presence
az Secretaries Lamont and Carlisle Al th
White House. and the absence of Sc
rotary Herbert from his Office gave ris
to a report that Il special meeting o
the Cabinet on the Hawaiian question
was in progress. But M-ssrs. CarliSl
and Lamont saw the President on othe
business, and MIR. Herbert did not go q
In. White House at all.
Secretary Gresham went 10 see tn
President shortly after 10 O'Clock. an,
together they went over the communica
tions received from Mr.. Wills. Whicl
arrived last night. As result, copi':
of these were ordered To be prepare.
for transmission to the Senate and th'
House.
NOTHING NEW.
There were no new developments II
the situation in the Executive branch o
the government. The adyices received
from Mr.. Willis confirm dispatches bj
the Warrimoo and contain the answer
~ the Provisional Government 10 tn
demand, or request" as Dole IS sal,
10 call 1t, made by Willis. The text of
this communication and the other docu
ments received will be withheld from th'
press until their transmission 10 Congress
probably tomorrow, and will obtain pub
leifV through that means.