Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1894-03-14
PRECEDENT FOR THE ACT.
Secretary Herbert Tells Why He Turned the
Navy Over to Mr.. BIOunt.

WASHINGTON, u. G., March 1O.-Secre-
tary Herbert has made response to the
Boutelle resolution, adopted by the
House, calling on him to state his
authority for issuing instructions plac-
ing the armed naval forces of the
United States and the use of it's 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 conflict of au-
thority, and that the Secretary's au-
thority for issuing the order was the
President-tLe commanderin-ch of
the United States army and navy. A
number of presidents for this action
are cited. The Secretary begins his
answer by quoting the instructions to
Admiral Skerritt and that part
Of Mr.. Blount's credentials to
President Dole wherein his au-
thority is described as paramount
in all matters affecting relations
with Hawaii. Mr.. Blount's instructions
are also quoted, and the Secretary re-
calls the fact that when the order to
Admiral Skerritt was issued the United
States forces had landed in Hawaii and
the United States flag had been raised
over the public buildings in Honolulu
Secretary Herbert says:
Under these circumstances and in view
of the remoteness of the Hawaii Islands
from Geographic communication, it was es-
Sential not only that no conflict Of authOri-
ty should arise with referencetO the diSpO-
sition of the United States naval forces at
Hawaii, but that such forces should be en-
ployed in entire harmony with and in
support of the policy of the diplomatic
branch Of the government. For these
reasons, ana in order that the special
commissioner appointed by the President
might, in the discharge of the important
duties intrusted to him. be aided by the
fullest cooperation on the part of the naval
proper to direct that Rear Admiral Skerritt
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.
l deem it to be at all times 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 the civil
branch of the government and not to take
the Initiative in such matters, unless in ac-
cordance 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 Especial eXigency by circumstances of such
gravity and urgency as to admit OF no de-
lay. If the observance of this general pgin-
ciple is incumbent on the naval forces of the
United States in the relations with our
HiT1n OH tatiunc in, fpraiUr,
tries under ordinary circumstances, it be-
comes particularly important upon occa-
sions when a direct representative of the
President, charged with duties of a COM
prehensive, delicate and confidential char
acter is sent abroad.
Believing that the action taken by the de-
partment by its order of March II, 1898 was
not only proper and necessary in order to
preclude the possibility of any misunder-
standing or conflict of authority which
might have enSued in serious embarrassment
Of American interests, and 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 constitutional provision is made COM
mander-in-chief of the army and navy of
the United States.
Then the Secretary gives number of
precedents 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
advise Of Thomas Randall, agent Of
the government" During the Mexican
war, Nicholas Trest, an agent of the
State Department, was clothed with the
power to arrange for mutual suspen-
sion of hostilities, and Commodore
Perry was instructed not to relax
the vigor of his operations while
he (TresD remained in Mexico, Gun
less he directs you to suspend
them" This order was complied with.
In 1869 Gen. Babcock went on board
the United States ship Albany to San
Domingo and the commander was di-
rected to conform to all Gen. Babcock's
wishes and orders. In 1870 Lieut.
Commander Bunce had similar orders.
In 1881, during the ChiliPeru war, Rear
Admiral Balch 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 extraor-
binary and minister plenipotentiary