Wheeling Sunday register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1882-1934, 1894-03-11
HE avs HIS RRASONS

Secretary Herbert AepAtet 20 Nno "o
Resolution - Ample Authority and
Precedent for Placing the Naval Forces
at Mr. Blounrs Disposition.
WASHINGTON, D. c.. March 1o.-Sec-
rotary Herbert has made response to
the Boutene resolution adopted by the
House, calling on him to state his au-
thority for issuing instructions placing
the armed naval forces Of the United
States aud the use Of its ensign under
the orders and control Of Special Com
missioner Blount at Honolulu, March
II, 1898
The substance Of the answer is that
the action was necessary to prevent
conflict Of authority, aud that the Sec
retary's authority for issuing the order
was the President-the Commander-in-
Chief of the United Statas Army and
Navy. A number Of precedents for this
action are cited.
The secretary begins his answer by
quoting the instructions to Admiral
Skerrett, and that part Of Mr.. Blount's
credentials 10 President Dole wherein
his authority is described as paramount
ia all matters affecting relations with
Hawaii Mr. Blount's instructions (al-
ready published are also quoted and
the secretary recalls the fact that when
the order TO Admiral Skerritt was Is
sued the United States forces had land
ed i'm Hawaii and the United States flag
had been raised over the public build
ings % Honolulu.
Secretary Herbert says: Under
these circumstances and in view OF the
remoteness of the Hawaii Islands from
.elegraphic communications 10 was es-
sential that not only no conflict of au-
thority should arise with reference to
the United States naval forces at
Hawaii, but that such forces should be
employed IN entire harmony with and
IN SUPPORT OF THE POLICY
o. the diplomatic branch of the govern
ment. For these reasons and in order
that the special commissioner appointed
by the President might, in the dis
NAAs4a Va ALA0 III wi LlAAAN AAAiNT "a - $50
ed 10 him. be aided by the fullest CO.
operation on the part Of the naval
branch of the government, it was deem
ed proper to direct that Rear Admiral
Skerrett should consult freely with Mr..
BOunt, and should carry out any in
structions given him in regard TO the
course to be- pursued by the United
States Naval forces at the Hawaiian
Islands.
81 deem 10 TO be at all times the duty
Of the naval forces of the United States
in matters affecting our foreign Ella
tions co act in subOrdination TO and In
the fullest cooperation with the policy
OF the civil branch OF the government
and not to take the initiative in SUCH
matters, unless in accordance with the
letter and spirit Of such general or spe-
cial orders as may be issued to them by
the Secretary Of the Navy or when re-
0uired TO do so in cases of special eX
igency by circumstances of such gravity
and urgence as 10 admit OF no delay.
W the observance Of this general prin-
ciple is incumbent upon the naval
forces of the United States in their rela-
tions with our diplomatic representa-
tiveS in foreign countries under Ordi-
nary circumstances, 10 becomes particu-
larly important upon occasions when
direct representative Of the President,
charged with duties Of comprehen-
sive, delicate and confidential charac-
ter, is sent abroad.
believing that the action taken by
the Department in its order Of March
H., 1898, was not only proper and Beces-
sary, in order to preclude the possibility
of any misunderstanding or
CONFLICT OF AUTHORITY
which might have ensued in serious en-
barrasSment of American interests, and
further that such action was in har-
mOnv with established precedent, have
TO state ia response to the direct in
curry contained in the resolution of the
House as to my authority for issuing the
order in question, that said order was
issued by authority of the President
who, by constitutional provision, is
made commander in chief Of the army
and navy Of the United States"
Then the secretary gives number OF
presidents for his action, beginning in
1870 anu running uuWu W 1901 III 400
the United States ship Enterprise was
sent TO Porto Rico ard the commander
was to regulate his operations by the
advice of Thomas Randall, agent Of the
government"
During the Mexican war Nicolas
Trest, an agent of the State Depart
ment, was clothed with power to arrange
for mutual suspension of hostiities,
and Commodore Perry was instructed
not 90 relax the vigOr Of his operations
while be (Trest) remains in Mexico,
unless he directs you to suspend
them.
This order was complied with. In
1869 General Babcock went on board
the United States ship Albany to San
Domingo and the commander was di-
rected to conform to all General Bah
cocks wishes aud orders.
In 1870 Lieutenant Commander Bunce
had similar orders
In 1851, during the Chili-Peru war,
Rear Admiral Bulch was directed to be
governed as far as possible by the
wishes Of Wm. Henry Prescott OF the
Department Of State, Special Envoy
Extraordinary and Minister Plenipo-
Tertiary.