River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1894-03-01
MORGAN REPORTS.
Views of Senate Committee on
the Hawaiian Middle.
Ex-Ministsr Stevens ExonerAted, Though
He did Wrong. 1t Says. In Establish
Ing . Proctectorate-The Presi-
dents Course Commended.
BLAMEs no ONE.

on foreign relations, presented the re-
port of the investigation of that COM
mittee made under the following reso-
In ton:
Resolved, That the committee on foreign re-
lations shall inquire and report whether any.
and, II go, what irregularities have occurred In
the diplomatic or other intercourse between
the United States and Hawaii In relation 10 the
recent political revolution In Hawaii and TO
this end said committee Is authorized TO send
for persons ana papers and to administer osths
10 Witnesses"
The report prepared by Senator Nor
gan is concurred in by Senators Sher-
man, Frye, Dolph and Davis, the re-
publican members of the committee,
who also made a supplementary report,
taking more positive grounds than the
Morgan report, while Senators Butler,
Turpie, Daniel and Gray (deinocrats)
submit minority report A synopsis
of the document is as follows:
Scope of the Investigation.
Senator Morgan in his report says that the
inquiry rel ated first, TO the conduct OF the gov
ernment as sho wn In its Official acts and CORE
spondence: and. second, 10 the conduct of the
civil and military ofnoers OF the government in
the discharge OF their public duties and func-
tons
The report practically begins with declara-
tion against monarchism In the Hawaiian
islands, saying that we exercise at least
moral suzerainty over that country. Hawaii.
IL says, Is an American state ana Is embraced
in the American commercial and military sys-
tenn IN this attitude OF the two governments
Hawaii must be entitled to demand OF the
United States an indulgent consideration II not
an active sympathy.
Stevens Course Justified.
Coming to the landing OF the troops from the
United States steamer Boston, Senator Nor
gan says that q condition OF affairs existed 10
Honolulu which led naturally to the apprehen
sion that violence or civil commotion
would ensue, in which the security OF Amer
lean citizens residing in that city would be
put In peril. as had been done on three occa-
sions There was not in Honolulu at that time
any eficient executive power through which
the rights OF American citizens residing there
could be protected The authority Of the queen
was not respected by The people An interreg-
mum existed
Was Virtually An Abdicatton.
{ There 10 wel-settled authority for the position
that at the moment when the queen made public
her decision TO absolve herself from her wish
and support the constitution OF 1887 her
abdicatioG was complete, II the people chose
SO TO regard It Liliuokalani had only been
kept on her throne by the tolerance OF the
white people. who owned s50O00,OOO OF the
property on the islands 1t required nothing
but the determined action OF what was known
as the missionary party to overthrow the
queen, and that action had been taken before
the troops from the Boston landed There
was no executive head of the government OF
Hawaii It had persisted. The report then
calls attention TO the fact that in landing the
troops lhere was no demonstration and that in
passing the palace they saluted the queen, who
was helpless.
Right OF Shelter Under the Flag.
In view Of this state OF facts the report lays
down the following proposition: In country
were there is no power OF the law 10 protect
the citizens OF the United States there can bc
no law OF nations nCr any rulo OF comfy that
can righfully prevent our flag from giving
shelter TO them under the protection OF our
arms"
The committee agrees that such was this con-
ditton OF the Hawaiian government at the time
the troops we're landed, and that It was the
right OF the United States 70 land troops upon
those islands at any place where It was neces-
sary in the opinion OF our minister to protect
the citizens Of our country.
Stevens and WiitE Exonerated.
Cogniza nee is taken OF the charge that the
landing OF the troops was intended TO over
throw the queen with the purpose OF procuring
the ultimate annexation OF the islands to the
United States. but the report declares that
the purpose OF Minister Stevens and Capt
Wiltz was legitimate and that they acted in
good faith and with no interests except pro
tecting American citizens and preserving
order The intensity OF the queens opposition
o. the missionaries is referred to-
The report speaks OF the queens desire for
the Punishment or death of those who had OPP
posed her and says that America should not
hesitate in the support of government set up
20 oppose her
willis Did His Best.
Continuing the report says:
THE president says that on the first intima.
ton of these harsh declarations he at once
laid them before congress and abandoned the
further exercise OF his good ofices 70
bring about a reconciliation. Mr.. Willis
however regarding his instructions as
continuing TO require his intercession be-
yond the point where the president con-
sidered that II should cease, held sec
ond and third interview with Liliuokalanf.
Mr. Willis, In what he did. obeyed what he
conceived TO be his instructions, and being
80 distant from Washington IT is matter
of regret but not of surprise that there
was an apparent want OF harmony be-
tween his action in continuing his inter
views with Lliuokalani after the president
had determined that the full dutS of the gov
eminent had been performed When crown
falls in any kingdom OF The western hemis
phere Il is pulverized, and when a scepter de-
parts II departs forever; and American opinion
cannot sustain any American ruler in the at
tempt to restore them, no matter how virtuous
and sincere the reasons may be that seem 10
Jus tify him"
Stevens Duty Was Plain.
Mr. Stevens recognition OF the new govern
ment is justified, the report making the point;
at was his duty at the safest possible period
10 assist by his recognition, the termination
Of the interreguum, SO that citizens Of the
United States might be safely RENTED to the
care OF that government for the care OF their
rights Afterward, on February 1. 1898
the American minister caused the flag OF
the United States 20 be raised and assumed
and declared q protectorate over Hawaii This
act on the part of our minister was without u
lhority and vas void for wans OF power 1t was
dissvowed by secretary Foster and rebuked by
Secretary Gresham. and the order to abandon
the protectorate and haul down the flag was in
accordance with the duty and honor of the
United States"
The matter of annexation IS discussed at
some length, and while the whole tenor OF the
report relating 10 the subject is favorable to
annexation no direct statement made
therein
Eject OF Recognition.
Next the report states that recognition OF
the provisional government was la wful and has
contributed to the peace of Hawaii The re-
por takes the side Of the provisional govern.
ment as respects the counter revolution which
the queen provoked and 1t Is exceedingly severe
on the ministers OF the queen
Missions of Mount and Willis.
The right OF the president TO appoint Mr..
Blount Is discussed, the report stating the con-
rlusions TO be that such right no doubt exist
ed and that the authority given TO Mr.. Blount
and which he exercised was proper Then Mr.
willis mission is taken up and the position OF
the president referred TO in the following:
III in this course OF proceedings, tho presi-
dent OF the United States had intended to com
-. 49, rkae L. sol L. 40 fafa
In the matter. by using the force of the United
States to assist the queen in being enthroned,
that would have been an act OF war. entirely
beyond his power. But such was not the In
tention OF the president, as shown by contem-
poraneous acts. by his declarations and by his
subsequent treatment OF the subject"
The report then goes on as follows;
In the public act by which the provisional
government of Hawaii was established there
was q distinct declaration that that govern
ment was TO continue until Hawaii was an
nexed to the United States. That declara-
ton. apart from every other consideration.
would have JUS titled the United States in an In
government which would not have been toler-
ated under other circumstances
The document concludes with quotations OF
Official state papers and comments indorsing
the actions OF Minister Stevens.
Views of the Republicans
Senator's Sherman. Frye, Dolph and Davis,
the republican members. In their supplemental
report say they are in entire accord with the
essential findings OF the report OF the commit
tee rs q whole. but add that It is their opinion
that the appointment OF Commissioner
Blount and his gift of authority,
without the advice and consent OF the
senate, WAS unconstitutional action;
IN the second place. that the orders by
which the naval force at Honolulu was
Mi ha of