Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1894-03-02

not a material factor. It was his duty
at the earliest possible period to ter
the interregnum. The opinion
was Of nj consequence and could not
have affected the attitude Of the United
States.
The Flag Episode.
The action of Minister Stevens in de-
claring a protectorate and raising the
United States flag, the report says, was
without authority and was void for
want of power. It was disavowed by
Secretary Foster and rebuked by Secre-
tary Gresham, and the order to abandon
the protectorate and haul down the flag
was in accordance with the duty and
honor of the United States. To haul
down the flag of the United States was
only an order to preserve it's honor.
Annexation Indirectly Favored.
The matter Of annexation is discussed
at some length, and while the whole
tenor of the report relating to the sub
ject is favorable to the annexation, no
direct statement was made therein.
Next the report states that recogni-
ton of the provisional government was
lawful and has contributed to the peace
of Hawaii.
The report takes the side of the pro-
visional government as respects the
counter revolution, which the queen pro-
voked. 1t is exceedingly severe OF the
ministers of the queen. The right of the
president to appoint MI. Blount is dis
cussed, the report stating the conclu-
sions to be that such a right no doubt
existed, and that the authority given to
Mr.. Blount and which he exercised was
proper.
Mr.. Willis mission is taken up and
the position of the president referred to
in the following: IF, in this course of
proceedings the president of the United
States had intended to compel the obe-
dience to what is termed decision in
the matter Of using the force of the
United States to assist the queen regain
ing the throne, that would have been an
act Of war, entirely beyond his power,
and would not have received the sane
ton of any considerable part of the
American people, and would have 10
warrant in international law. But such
was not the intention of the president,
as is shown by contemporaneous acts,
by his declarations and by his subse-
quent treatment of the subject.
Therefore your committee conclude to
report that the president of the United
States has not in this particular in any
wise, been a party to any irregularity or
any improperly of conduct in his high
office. The committee finds nothing
worthy of criticism in the negotiation
of the treaty of annexation with the pro.
visional government Of Hawaii. The
revolution in Hawaii had the effect
simply of %displacing the chief of the ex-
ecutive department and substituting an
other. ss
"When this was done and the fact
was recognized, the government of
Hawaii was as competent to treat for
annexation to the United States as it
had ever been, or as it will ever be,
until the United States shall decide that
it will annex no more territory unless
with the consent Of the people to be In
nexed, to be ascertained by a plebescite.
The report concludes with reference
to the charge of undue haste in the mat
ter of negotiating a treaty of annexa'
ton. The matter is disposed Of by say
ing that the haste was warranted by the
condition of affairs in Hawaii and was
desirable to terminate the injurious dis
turbance of commerce in the islands.
Republican Supplemental Report.
The Republican members of the com
mittee who signed the Morgan repor
submitted a supplemental report, il
which after stating that they fully
agree with the report submitted by Mr.
Morgan, as chairman of the foreign re
lations committee, say that it is theil
opinion that the appointment Of Mr.
Blount without the consent and advice
Of the senate was an unconstitutional
act; that the orders of the executive de
partment by which the forces of tn
United States were placed. under tn
command of Mr.. Blount or MI
Willis were without warrant of law
that the order given by Mr.. Blount t,
Admiral Skerrett to lower the Unite,
States ensign was one which Mr.. Bloun
had no authority to give; that the pres
ident had no authority to re-open ques
tons settled by the treaty negotiated b,
President Harrison with the provisions
government, or to attempt by an,
means the overthrow of the provisiona
COVER nment.
The Minority Report.
The minority report dissents from tina
part Of the report which justifies Minis
ter Stevens. Mr.. Butler adds to thi
that while the question of annexation
not raised he is in favor of the acquisi
ton of the islands. Mr.. Turpie is ais
of the same opinion.
NICARAGUA lanai.
The Senate Committee Will Try to Get
Bill For Reorgan. cation Through.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.--It is the pun
!. pose OF the senate committee ON foreig