The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-02-27
THE QUEENS OVERTHROW.
Three Reports Submitted by the
Senate Committee.

The Majority Report Disagrees With
the Conclusions Formed by Com
missioner Blount-The Republican
Members of the Committee Concur
in Most of the Report, but Differ on
Five Points-The Minority Report
Takes Exception to Minister Ste
vens' Part in the Revolution.
Washington, Feb. 26.-A volume
of nearly 500 printed pages, ex-
elusive of maps, was laid before
the Senate to-day, represent
ing the testimony taken by the Senate
committee on foreign relations and their
findings of fact thereon, under the reso-
luton directing them to inquire whether
any, and if so, what Irregularities have
occurred in the diplomatic intercourse be-
tween the United States and Hawaii in
relation TO the recent revolution.
The report of the majority of the com
mittee was prepared by Chairman
Morgan, of Alabama. 1t exhaust
lively reviews the facts, laws
and precedents; justifes Minister
Stevens actions, except in proclaiming
protectorate. and finds nothing irregular
in the appointment of COmmiss oner
Blount, but in effect says the evidence
taken by the committee under more
favorable circumstances leads the COM
mittee to different conclusions than
those which he formed.
This report is concurred in as to all It's
essential findings by the republican mem
berS of the ommittee-SenatOrs Sher-
man, Frye, Dolph and Davis. They
characterize 1t as an exceedingly able
document but they dissent on five points:
l. They condemn the appointment Of
Commissioner Blount as unconstitutional.
q They say the executive orders plac-
ing the navy in the harbor of Honolulu,
under the orders of Commissioner Blount
and Minister Willis were without author
ity of the law.
g. That the order of Commissioner
Blount to Admiral Skerritt to lower the
flag was unlawful and susceptible of be-
ing construed as unfriendly to the pro-
visional government, ana they regard the
intercourse of Commissioner Blount and
Minister Willis with the deposed queen
as violative of international law and un-
warranted.
4. They consider that the president
had no right to reopen TO the predeter-
mined question as TO the legality of the
provisional government
5. They regard discussion of personal
intentions or good faith of either Com
mission Blount or Mr.. Willis as immater-
ial, inasmuch as what they did in regard
to the reinstatement of the queen, was
simply in performance of task plainly
commanded of them by the administra-
ton.
REPORT OF THE MINORITY.
The report of the minority signed by
Senators Butler, Iurpie, Daniel and
Gray, without denying or conceding the
.F..tl
port. dissents from that portion of it
which declares that the only substantial
irregularity in the conduct of Minister
Stevens, the late minister, was his declara-
tion of a protectorate by the United
States over Hawaii While exempting
from censure Capt. Wilt of the Boston
and his officers because their position
was one of extreme delicacy and diff
Guilty, and ''we appreciate
their anxiety to afford prote tion
TO the lives and property of American
citizens" they add, 1--WE cannot avoid the
conviction that the inopporJune zeal of
Minister Stevens in the project of the an
neXation of the Sandwich Islands to the
United States caused him to exceed the
proper limits of his official duty and his
diplomatic relations to the government
of these islands. His conduct as public
representative of this government was di-
condition of affairs which resulted in the
overthrow of the queen and the estab-
lishment of the provisional government; /;
the landing of United States troops, and
the attempted scheme of annexation; and
upon this conclusion his conduct is seri-
ously reprehensible and deserving of pub
lie censure."
Senators Butler and Turpie file sup
Elemental report, in which they say that
while the question of annexation was not
submitted to the committee, except Incl
dentally. they think it not impr per TO
say they are heartily in favor Of the
acquisition of these islands by the United
States in proper manner, but not by
taking advantage of internal discussions
for which they believe the United States
in some manner responsible.
The views laid down by the ma oriJy Of
the committee are exactly on the lines
foreshadowed in these dispatches.