The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-03-10
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LAST EDITION
Mr.. HERBERTS REPLY.
States That the President as
C0mmander-in-Chief
Of BOTH ARMY AND NAVAL FORCES
Gave Blount His Paramount Author
ity-He Cites Certain Alleged Pre-
cedents for This Act-The Cases Not
Analogous. However.
Mr.. H[RBERTS REPLY.
States That the President as
C0mmander-in-Chief
OF BOTH ARMY AND NAVAL FORCES
Gave Biount His Paramount Author
ity-He Cites Certain Alleged Pre-
cedents for This Act--The Cases Not
Analogous. However.

WASHINGTON, March 10. - Secretary
Herbert has made response to the
Boutelle resolution adopted by
the House, calling on him
To state his authority for issuing instruc-
tions placing the armed naval forces of the
United States and the use of its ensign
under the orders and control of Special
Commissioner Blount at Honolulu, March
IL, 1893.
The substance OF the answer is that the
action was necessary TO prevent a conflict
of authority, and that the Secretary's
authority for issuing the order was the
President, as the commander-in-chief of
the United States aud navy. A num-
bcr OF precedents for this act were cited.
The Secretary begins his answer
by quoting the instructions
to Admiral skerrett, and that
TO President Dole, wherein his authority
is described as paramount in all matters
affecting relations with Hawaii.
Mr.. Biount's instructions (already pub
lished) are also quoted, and the Secretary
recalls the fact that when the order to
Admiral Skerrett was issued, the II. s.
forces had landed in Hawaii and the u. 5.
flag bad been raised over the public build
ings in Honolulu.
Ierbert's Explanations.
Secratary Herbert says:
"Under these circumstances and in view
of the remoteness of the Hawaiian islands
from telegraphic communication it was
essential not only that no conflict of au-
thority should arise with reference to the
disposition of the United States naval
forces at Hawaii but that such forces
should be employed IN entire
harmony with and IN support
of the policy of the diplomatic
-
this political commissioner APP
pointed by the President might,
in the discharge of the important duties
intrusted to him, be aided by the
fullest corporation on the part OF the
naval branch OF the government, it was
Rear Admiral Skerrett should consult
freely with Mr.. Blount and should
carry out any Instructions given him in
regard to the course TO be pursued by the
United States naval forces at the Hawaiian
Islands.
81 deem IL to be at all times the duty OF
the naval forces of the United States in
matters affecting our foreign rola-
tions to act in subordinaticn TO and in
the fullest corporation with
the policy OF circuit branches of
the Government and not 60 take the
initiative in such matters, unless i'm ac-
cordance with the letter andspirit of such
general or special orders as may be issued
to them by the Secretary of the Navy or
when required to do so in cases of special
sxigency by circumstances OF such gravity
and urgence as TO admit of no delay III the
observance OF this general principle is in
cumbent upon the naval forces of the u. 3.
in their relations with our diplomatic
representatives in foreign countries
under ordinary circumstances, it be-
comes particularly important upon
occasions when direct representative of
the President, charged with duties of
comprehensive, delicate and confidential
character, is sent abroad.
Believing that the action taken by the
Department in its order OF March H. 1893,
was not only necessary and proper in
order to preclude the possibility of any
which might have ensued resulting in
serious embarrassment OF American
interests and further that such
action was in harmony with estab-
lished precedent, 1 have to
state, in response to the direct
inquiry contained i'm the resolution
OF the House as TO my authority
for Issuing the order in question,
that said order was issued by authority
OF the President who by constitutional
provision Is made commander-in-chiefo OF
the army and navy OF the United States"
Then the Secretary gives number OF
precedents for his action beginning in 1923
and running dowe to 1881. In 1873 the
u. $. Ship Enterprise was sent to Porto
Rico, and the commander was to "Regu-
late his operations by the advice Of Thos.
Randall, agent OF the Government"
During the Mexican war, Nicolas p.
Trist, an agent OF the. state department,
was clothed with power TO arrange for
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