The Hawaiian gazette., 1894-03-30
4 STATESMANLIKE REPORT ON HA-
WAIIAN AFFAIRS.

The Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations have submitted the evil
dence taken by it in the hearings had
by it in its investigation of the rela-
lions between the United States and
Hawaii during the past year or more,
together with three reports embody-
ing the conclusions of the members of
the committee thereon. One of these
reports represents the views of the
majority of the committee, another is
q supplementary report by the Repub-
licau members agreeing TO the ma jor-
ity report, and the third is a minority
report signed by the Democratic MEM
beers of the committee who do not
agree with Chairman Morgan's view
of events in the islands and the policy
to be pursued in relation thereto.
1t is with the first mentioned OF these
reports that We have naturally most
concern. 1t is worthy OF note in the
first place that the majority of the
committee is made up Of the Demo
cratic chairman of the committee and
the four Republican members of what
is ordinarily the minority of the COM
mittee. \ strong note of dissent from
the line of policy pursued by the
Administration in Hawaiian affairs
fixes the tone of this report, which
constitutes substantial indOrse-
nIent of the course pursued by
the preceding administration. Begin
ming with the date of the landing of
the United States marines in January,
1898, the report concludes that at the
time in question there was a complete
paralysis of executive government in
Hawaii, that the government OF
Queen Liliuokalani had no power TO
protect either native or foreign citi-
zens, that it was the right OF the Unit
ed States to land troops upon the ISL
snds at any place where 1t was neces
sary in the opinion of our minister to
protect the citiZeus of the United
States, that the purpose of Minister
Stevens and Captain Wiltse in land
ing the troops was legitimate and that
they acted in good faith aud with no
interests in view except the protection
of American citizens and the preser
walton of order.
AS regards the recognition of the
Pro ,isionaI Government by the Amer
lean Minister the report takes the
ground that the precise hour when or
the conditions under which the Amer
lean Minister recognized the PrOvis-
ional Government was not a mat
ter of material Importance, but
that it was his duty at the safest
possible period to assist by his
the termination of inter
regnum, so that citizens of the United
States might be safely RENTED to the
care of that Government for the care
Of their rights, and that soon as he
had conviction that the Provisional
was secure against over
throw il was his duty to recognize the
-eh affiliated state. 1t is p0intedly
that if no question of the |
of Hawaii to the United |
States had existed the conduct of the |
United States Minister in giving Off |
:ial recognition to the Provisional |
would not have been the |
subject of adverse criticism, but it is |
pointed out that the presence of that |
question and his advocacy of annexa
ion did not relieve Mr. Stevens from
lie duty or abridge his right to call |
or the troops on the Boston to pro- I
ect the citizens of the United States |
turing an interregnum in the Office of |
thief executive OF Hawaii Touching |
he protectorate proclaimed by Minis
er Stevens, the conclusion is reached |
hat the act If the Minister was with |
,ut authority, and was void for want |
# power. This act, as will e remem-
oered, was disavowed by Secretary /
Foster under the last administration. |
rhe majority say, however, thai while |
he precedent is not one to be justified |
{ has resulted in no actual HARM