The times. (Owosso, Mich.) 1882-1897, 1894-03-02
REPORT COMPLETED.
FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE
SUBMIT THEIR WORK.


Minister stevens Acts justified with but
One xception-Repudiates the Estab-
iishment of Protectorate over the Ha-
wsiian isiands--senatorss h Srsnau, Frye,
Doiph and Davis Dissent ON Five Points
WASHINGTON. Feb. 27.--A volume of
nearly 800 printed pages, exclusive OF
maps, was laid before the senate Mon
day, representing the testimony taken
by the senate committee on foreign re-
lations ana their finding of facts there
in, under resolution directing them
to inquire whether any and, If so, what
irregularities have occurred in the dip
lomatic intercourse between the United
States and Hawaii in relation to the re-
cent revolution.
The report of the majority of the
committee was prepared by the chair
man. Mr.. Morgan Dem, Ala) 1t ex-
haustively reviews the facts. the laws
and the precedents, justifies Mr..
Stevens actions, except in proclaiming
q protectorate, and finds nothing irreg-
ular in the appointment of Mr.. Blount,
but In effect says the evidence taken
by the committee under more favor
able circumstances leads the committee
to different conclusions than those
which he formed.
The report is concurred in as to all
It's essential findings by the Repub-
lican members of the committee, Sena-
tors Sherman, Frye. Dolph and Davis,
making majority of the committee.
They characterize it as an exceedingly
able document, but they dissent on five
points:
1. They condemn the appointment
Of Commissioner Blount as uncon-
stitutional
2. They say the executive orders
placing the navy in the harbor of Homo
lulu under the orders of Mr.. Blount
or Mr.. Willis was without authority
of law.
3. That the order of Mr.. Blount to-
Admiral Skerret to lower the flag was
unlawful and susceptible of being con-
strued as being unfriendly to the pro-
visional government, and they regard
the intercourse OF Mr. Blount and Mr..
Willis with the deposed queen as vio-
lative of international law and unwar-
ranted.
4. They consider the president had
no right to reopen the predetermined
legality of the provisional government.
5. They regard any discussion of the
personal intentions OF good faith of
either Mr.. Bloupt or Mr.. Willis as inn
material inasmuch as what they did in
regard TO the reinstatement of the
queen was simply the performance of a
task plainly commanded of them by
this administration.
The report of the minority, without
denying or conceding the correctness
of other portions of the report, dissents
from that portion of it (which declares
that the only substantial irregularity
in the conduct of Mr.. Stevens, the late
minister. was his declaration of
protectorate by the United State over
Hawaii" While exempting from GEN.
sure Captain Wiltze of the Boston, and
his officers, because their position was
one of extreme delicacy and difficulty,
and we appreciate their anxiety to
to afford protection to the lives and
property of American citizens" they
add:
I'VE cannot avoid the conviction that
the opportune zeal of Minister Stevens
in the project of annexation of the
Sandwich Islands to the United States
caused him to exceed the proper limits
of his official duty and of his dii To-
matte relations to the government and
people of those islands. His conduct
as the public representative of this gov
eminent was directly conducive to
bringing about the condition of affairs
which resulted in the overthrow of the
queen, the organization of the provis-
ional government. the landing of the
United States troops, and the at
tempted scheme of annexation; and
upon this conclusion, his conduct is
seriously reprehensible and deserving
Of public censure."
Senators Butler and Turpie file sup
Elemental report III which they say
that while the question of annexation
was not submitted to the committee,
except incidentally. they think it not
improper 10 say they are heartily in
favor of the acquisition of these islands
by the United States in proper man
ner, but not by taking advantage or in
ternal Discussions for which Trey be.
lieve the United States in some name
responsible.