Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-03-12
HERsERT,s ANSWER.


~
Nj i Aails'sb 4 aawaii.
WASHINGTON, March II. Secretary Her
bert has made response to the bouteiie
resolution adopted bv the house. calling
on him to state his authority for issuing
Instructions 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 Homo
lulr, March II, 1893 The substance OF
the answer il that the action was neces-
sary to prevent conflict OF authority,
and that the secretary's authority Tor
issuing the order was the president-the
commander in-chief Of the United States
army and navy. A number OF presidents
for this act were cited.
The secretary begins his answer by
quoting the instructions to Admiral
Skerrett, and that part of Mr.. Blount's
credentials to President Dole wherein his
authority is described as paramount in all
matters affecting relations with Hawaii.
Mr.. Blount's instructions, already pub
recalls the fact that when the order to
Admiral Skerrett was issued the United
States forces had landed in Hawaii and
the United States flag had been raised
over the public buildingsin Honolulu.
Secretary Herbert says: Under these
circumstances, and in view of the remote
ness of the Hawaiian Islands from
telegraphic communication, it was essen
A. - 1sS,tS Hf NTH U
should arise with reference to the DISPOSE
ton 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
branch of the government. For these rea-
sons, and in order that this political COM
missioner appointed by the president
might, in the discharge OF the important
Duties Entrusted to Him,
be aided by the fullest cooperation on the
part of the naval branch OF the govern
nent, it was deemed proper to direct that
Rear Admiral Skerrett should consul
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.
deem it at all times to be the duty of
the naval forces of the United States. in
matters affecting our foreign relations, to
act in subordination to, and in the fullest
cooperation with the policy of other
branches of the government, and not to
take the initiative in such matters unless
in accordance with the letter and spirit 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 exigency by circumstances of
such gravity and urgency as to admit of
no delay. If the observance of this gen.
eral principle is incumbent upon the ma
val forces of the United States in their re-
lations with our Diplomatic representa-
tives in foreign countries under ordinary
circumstances,n'it becomes particularly
important upon occasions when n direct
representative of the president, charged
with duties of n comprehensive, delicate
and confidential character is sent abroad.
Believing that the action taken by the
department in its order of March IL,
1893, was not only proper and necessary
in order to preclude the possibility of any
misunderstanding or conflict of authority
which might have ensued in serious en-
further that such action was in harmony
with established precedent. / have to
state in response to the direct inquiry
contained in 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 con-
stitutional provision is made commander
in-chief of the army and navy of the
United States"
A Number of Precedents.
Then the secretary gives number of
presidents for his action, beginning in
1923 and running down to 1881. In 1928
the United States ship Enterprise was
sent to Porto Rico and the commander
was to regulate his operations by the ad
vice of Thomas Randall, agent Of the gov
ernment."
During the Mexican war Nicholas Trest,
an agent of the state department, was
clothed with power to arrange for a
mutual suspension of hostilities, and
Commodore Perry was instructed not to
relax the vigor of his operations while he
(Trest) remained in Mexico, unless he
directs you to suspend them" The order
was complied with.
In 1869, General Babcock went on board
the United States ship Alabany to San
Domingo and the commander was directed
to conform to all General Babcock's
wishes and orders. In 1870, Lieutenant
Commander Bunce had similar orders.
In 1881, during the Chili-Peru war, Rear
Admiral Batch was directed to be gov
erned as far as possible by the wishes of
William Henry Prescott. of the depart
ment of state, special envoy extraordin-
airy and minister plenipotentiary.
His Eighteenth Conviction.
RRoCKTON. March 11-Wiiliam. fa,nil.