The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1894-03-10
HERBERT'S ANSWER
Had Every Right to Place
the Naval Forces Under.
Orders of Blount.
THE AMERICAN FLAG AT HONOLULU
President Cleveland the Authority
For His Actions-Ma
Precedents Cited.

WASHINGTON, DC. March 10, 1884,
Secretary Herbert today sent to the House
of Representatives his reply to the Boutelle
resolution calling for information as to the
authority by which the Secretary of the
Navy placed the armed naval forces at
Honolulu under the orders of Commissioner
Blount.
The answer is of considerable length and
gives seven precedents where the forces of
the United States were similarly placed un-
der the control of special agents of the
President. The Secretary says the flag Cf
the United States was over the public build
ings of country with which we are at
peace, and the naval forces had
been landed. Under the circumstances, in
view of the remoteness of the Hawaiian
Islands, it was essential that no conflict of
authority should arise and that the forces
should be employed in harmony with and in
support of the policy of the diplomatic
miral Skerrett was directed to consult freely
with Mr.. Blount and to carry out his in
structions. He continues:-
DUTY OF THE MORAL FORCES.
ssI 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 CO.
operation with, the policy of the civil branch
of the Government, and not to take
the initiative in such matters, un-
less in accordance with the letter and
spirit of such general or specific orders as
may be issued to them by the Secretary Of
the Navy, or when required to do SO in cases
of special exigency by circumstances of such
gravity and urgency as to admit OF no
delay. If the observance of this
general principle is incumbent upon
the naval forces of the United
States in their relations with our diplomatic
representatives N foreign countries under
ordinary circumstances, it becomes particu-
larly important upon occasions when direct
representative of the President charged with
duties of comprehensive, delicate and con-
fidential character is sent abroad.
THE PRESIDENT HIS AUTHORITY.
believing that the action taken by the
department in its order OF March II, 1893,
was not only proper and necessary in order
standing or conflict of authority which
might have resulted in serious enbarrass-
ment to American interests, and, further,
that such action was in harmony
with established precedent, l have
to state in response to the direct inquiry con-
tanned in the resolution Of the House as to
my authority for issuing the order in ques-
ton that said order was issued by authority
of the President, who, by constitutional
provision, is made Commander-in-Chlefo of
the Army and Navy of the United States"
THE PRECEDENTS.
The seven precedents mentioned by Secre-
tary Herbert are ordered issued by his pre-
decessors The first, dated in April 9, 1923,
was to John Gallagher, commanding the
United States brig Enterprise, directing him
to Porto Rico to protect American vessels
and citizens from illegal seizure by
Spanish mariners under whatever
Al -
dali, agent of the government, who was to
be taken on board the Enterprise at New
York and landed at Porto Rico. Another
letter dated sixteen days later instructed the
commander, under the advice and approba-
tion of Mr. Randall, to "carry into effect
the views expressed" by John Quincy Adams,
then Secretary OF State. The third bird
that the President had directed Nicho-
las T. Trist, Esq, of the State
Department, to proceed to the headquarters
of the army or to the squadron as he should
deem most convenient" that Mr.. TriSt was
'sclothed with such diplomatic power as to
authorize him to enter into arrangements
with the Mexican government for the mu-
tual suspension of hostilities;" and adding
''you will not relax the vigor of your opera
tions while he may remain in Mexico, unless
he directs you to suspend them" The fourth
is from Commander Perry reporting comph-
ance with the order.
Number five, dated May 8, 1s47, directs
Capt. G. B. Balch to receive on board the
Albany Gen. Babcock, who would 'have
certain corders from the President of the
United States,n to conform to all Gen.
Babcock's wishes and orders, and to convey
him to such points as he might desire to
visit; and when he had accomplished the
him to the United States if he so desired.
The next is to Lieutenant Commander F.
M. Bunce, January II, 1870, of a similar
tenor, and the last one is dated December 2,
1881, to Rear Admiral G.. D. Balch, COM
manding the naval force on the Pacific, ad-
vising him of the appointment OF Mr.. Will
liam Henry Trescott, of the Department of
State, as Envoy Extraordinary and Minis
ter Plenipotentiary, with instructions to pro
ceed to Chill, and directing Rear Admiral
Balch to be governed as far as practicable
by his wishes.