The Forrest City times., 1894-03-02
THE pRnrEcroRArE.

"Afterward on the lst day of February, 1893 United States to be raised on the government building in Honolulu. and assumed and de- clared protectorate over that nation in the name of the United States. This action on the part of our minister was without authority, and was void for want of power. l. was disavow d by Secretary Foster and rebuxed by Secretary Gresham, and the order to abandon the pro- tectorate and haul down the flag was in ac- cordance with the duty and honor of the United States. TO haul down the flag of the United States was only an order to preserve its honor"
 The matter of annexation is discussed at some length. and while the whole tenor of the report relating to the subject is favorable to the annexation no direct statement was made therein. the language of the report concluding as follows:
 Whether annexation is wise and beneficial 10 both governments is a question that must re- ceive the consideration of both governments before 1t can be safely settled. The testimony taken by the committee discloses the well-con- sidered opinion of several of our most prom fnent naval and military officers that the an- nexation of Hawaii is a fact indispensable to the proper defense and protection of our west ern coast and cities. But this is matter with which the committee is not especially charged and reference is made to these opinions as sup porting the statement that all intelligent men in Hawaii and the United States who have taken pains to consider the subject are con yinced that the question is one deserving of thorough investigation and a correct and friendly decision"
 Next the report states that recognition of the provisional government was lawful. and has contributed to the peace of Hawaii, and, con tinung. says:
 The president of the United States believed that il was proper and necessary. in vindica- tion of the honor of the United States to ap- point commissioner 10 Hawaii who would maae a careful investigation into the facts and send the facts of the case and his conclusions to the president for his information The commissioner Mir. Blount went to Hawaii un- eir 1St nf and executed his instructions with impartial care to arrive at the truth, and he presented sincere and instructive report to the president of the United States touching the facts. the knowledge of which he thus acquired. In the agitated state of opinion and feeling in Ha. waii at that time it was next to impos- ible to obtain full fair and free ceclaration in respect of the facts which attended this revolution. and particularly was this difficult ticipated in that movement The evidence sub mitted by the committee. in addition to that prepared by MT. Blount. having been taken under circumstances more favorable to the de- velopment of the whole truth with regard to the situation has. in the opinion of the com mittee, established the fact that the revolu- tionary movement in Hawaii originated with Liliuokalani, and was promoted, provided for and, as she believed. secured by the passage of the opium bill and the lottery bill through the legislature. from which she expected to derive a revenue sufficient to secure the ultimate sue cess of her purpose which was distinctly and maturely devisad to abolish the constitution of IT,. from constitutional restraint of any serious character"
 THE APPOINTMENT OF BLoUNT.
 The report takes the side of the provisional government as respects the counter revolu- ton which the queen provokes. It is exceed ingly severe on the ministers of the queen. The right of the president to appoint MT Blount Is discussed. the report stating the conclusions to be that such right no doubt existed. and that the authority given to Mir Blount. and which he exercised. was proper. Then Mir Willis. mission is taken up, and the position of the president referred to in the fol lowing:
 If in this course of proceedings the presi- dent of the United States had intended to com pei obedience to what is termed decision. in the matter by using the force of the United States to assist the queen in gaining the throne. that would have been an act of war entirely beyond his power and would not have received the sanction of any considerable part of the American people, and would have no warrant in international law. But such was not the intention of the president is shown by contemporaneOuS acts. Dy his declarations and by his subsequent treatment of the sub ject."
 After quoting official state papers bearing on annexati on, the report concludes:
 "A president informed as to the history of his country could find difficulty in dealing with the question of the annexation of Hawaii to the United States on the ground that it is now; and a minister of Hawaii who should fail to inform his government of the political changes in Hawaii that would affect that ques- tion would neglect his duty. It is not a just criticism upon the cores pondence of Minister Stevens with his government that he earnest ly advocated annexation In this line he was in line with MT. Marcy aud nearly every one of his successors as secretary of state, and with many of Mir. Stevens predecessors as minis ter to Hawaii His letters to his gov ernment were written under the diplomatic confidence that is reduisite to secure freedom in such communications and were not expected to come under the scrutiny of all mankind. They show no improper spirit and are not impeachable colorlng or pre- verting the truth although some matter stated ly him may be chased severe reflections. troled any representative of the government of the United States in his conduct of our affairs in Hawaii If he acted within the limits of his powers with honest intentions and has not placed the government of the United States upon false and untenable grounds. his con duct is not irregular. But in his dealings with the Hawaiian government his conduct was characterized by becoming dignity and reserve and was not in any way harsh or based upon the evidence which accompanies this report. the only substantial irregularity that existed in the conduct of any officer of the United States or agent of the president, during or since the time of the revolution of 1893 was that of Minister Stevens in declaring a protectorate of the United States over Ha- waii. and in placing the flag of our country upon the government building in Honolulu No actual harm resulted from this unauthor ized act but as precedent il is not to be con- sidered as being justified
 The Minority Report.
 The following is the report DreSentinp in