The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-02-27

using fo.os TO -essore fhs queen. and did
not conferrc iase such action, therefore
his tender Of his coed ossces for settle
raens Of differences vas strictly within his
accepted right The fact that the provas-
ional government wns formed 20 exist tai
annexation to the United States justified
interfsrefce for its protection which would
not have been tolerated under other cir
cnmstances: therefore the provisionai gov
eminent, having thrown Itself into the
arms of the United states, cannot Justly
complain that the United States should
scrusinirs all prssensioas Of the right
thus to dispose Of the entire country and
people Moreover, the queen herself aodi-
Gated Professionally. pending the decision
of the United States ~ 70 her rights. In
der these conditions the president OF the
United States. beiisvinz the information
then in possession Of the government no
sufficient 10 Justify summary annexation,
could not have done justice 70 himself. TO
his country. to the people of Hawaii. 70
the provisional government, or 10 Liliuo-
kaiini, without having made an effort TO
use his good offices TO ascertain whether IL
was practicable that the queen be restored
to authority. The report says If the pro-
visional government had agreed TO restor-
alton. the United States would not have
bean in any sense responsible for her res
toration. 1T would no: have espoused the
monarchy, nor have ccntravened Ameri-
can sentiment The policy would merely
have been that OF mutual friend in the
solution of the question. Therefore the
committee conclude that the president of
the United States has not in this particu-
La Ira -rfS hnar q - n M
lsrity or improperly Of conduct in his
high Office. The committee finds nothing
worthy of criticism in the negotiation of
treaty of annexation with the provisional
government Of Hawaii. as the provisional
government was perfectly competent to
make such treaty. The committee finds
that the treaty was not negotiated too
hastily, as charged. because both parties
desired its speedy conclusion, in the inter-
e.. of good government Moreover, the
danger of the islands falling into tho hands
of European government made prompt
action necessary.
The report finds Stevens earnest advo-
cacy of annexation not open TO criticism,
being in line with nearly all the secretaries
of state and with many of Stevens prede-
cessors In Hawaii. Ii declares that his
we're characterized by becoming dignity
and reserve, and not in any way harsh or
offensive. The only substantial irregu-
larity in the conduct OF an officer of the
United States was the declaration of pro-
tectorate by Stevens, though no actual
harm resulted from this act, and it merely
required to be disavowed as a precedent.
The Republican members in their sup
Elemental report express accord with the
esseptial findings of the main report. but
declare Blounts appointment unconstitu-
tional; the placing of the naval force at
Honolulu under his orders illegal: the
hauling down Of the American flag at
Honolulu by Biount's order unwarranted,
because it created public excitement and
distrnst, and that the president had no au-
thority to open the question of the legality
of the provisional government or attempt
to restore the monarchy, for he could not
act without the joint consent of both
parties.
The report Of the Democratic minority
declares Stevens guilty of ''unbecoming
participation in the events which led to
the revolution" but exonerates Capt
Wiltse. Butler and Turpie submit q brief
statement in favor of annexation of the
islands The testimony taken by the CON-
mittee - very voluminous. covering over
700 pages, touching all points of the con-
troversy.
Stevens testified that his reasons for de-
claring protectorate was that both the
japanese and British proposed doing So
Blount declared that he had not the slight
est intimation from the president or any
body else, until after his return from Ha-
wall. Of an intention to reinstate the queen.