Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1894-03-08

to obtain from the persons who actively par
ttcipated In that movement. The evidence sub
mitted by the committee in addition to that
PREPARED ny MI, BiounI; having Teen taken
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
Liliuokalanf. and was promoted, provided for
and, as she believed, secured by the passage of
legislature. from which she expected to derive
a revenue sufficient to secure the ultimate sue
cess OF her purpose. which was distinctly and
maturely devised to abolish the constitution of
1887 and to assume to her absolute power. free
from constitutional restraint OF any serious
character"
III, in this course of proceedings. the presi-
dent OF the United States had intended to COM
pei obedience to what is termed 'decision'.i
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 conSidera bic part
Of the American people. and would have no
warrant in international law. But such was
by contemporaneous acts. by his declarations
ject."
After quoting official state papers bearing on
annexati on, the report concludes:
"A president informed to the history of
his country could find no 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 oueS-
ton would neglect his duty. 1t is not a lust
criticism upon the correspondence of Minister
Stevens with his government that he earnest
ly advocated annexation. In this line he was
in line with Mr.. Marcy and nearly every one of
his successors as secretary OF state, and with
ter to Hawaii. His letters to his gov
eminent were written under the
reeo@ in sSeh teaI
were not expected to come under the scrutiny
OF all mankind. They show no improper spirit
and are not impeachable coloring or pre-
verting the truth. although some matter stated
by him may be claSSed severe reflections.
Whatever motives may have actuated or con-
troled any representative OF the government of
the United States in his conduct of our affairs
in Hawaii. IL he acted within the limits of his
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 conduc:
was characterized by becoming dignity and
reserve, and was not in any way harsh or
offensive. In the opinion Of the committee.
this report. the only substantial irregularity
that existed in the conduct of any officer OF
during or since the time Of the revolution OF
1893, was that OF Minister Stevens in declaring
q protectorate OF the United States over Ha-
wall, and in placing the flag OF our country
upon the government building in Honolulu.
No actual harm resulted from this unauthor.
lied act, but as precedent it Is not to be con-
sidered as being justified"
Tho Minority Report.
The following is the report presenting In
part the views Of the minority of the commit
tee:
Without denying concerning in any man.
ner the correctness OF the facts as claimed. or
corning other matters therein mentioned we
especially dissent from that portion thereof
ularity in the conduct OF Mr.. Stevens the late
minister. was his declaration of pro.
We nre o the opeon nso That
are no valid reasons and course OF
dealing in our past relations with those islands
which justifes interference by the United
States with the political internal affairs of
Hawaii any more than with those of any other
dependent state or nation in this hemis phere.
We can not concur, therefore. in so much of the
foregoing report as exonerates the minister of
the United States, Mr. Stevens. from active
events which led to the revolution in the Sand
witch islands on the 18th. 10th and 18th OF Jaau-
ary 1893; ,
ceDsurc Capt. WiltSe, commanding the United
States warship Boston. or the officers of the
vssseL Their position vas one Of extreme
delicacy and difficulty, anu we appreciate their
anxiety to afford protection 10 the lives and
property of American citizens. The force of
their ordinary arms, stationed at the Amer
lean legation, and at the consulate in Homo
and Se
States government, and would have afforded
whatever protection American interests
might have required. ami, ut the same time.
would have avoided the appearance of coercion
or duress, either upon the people of Honolulu
or the queen in the controversy between them.
This is our opinion. after a careful examina-
tion OF all the facts and circumstances disclosed
in the evidence. We can not therefore, avoid
the conviction that the inopportune zeal OF Min
lister Stevens in the project of annexation of the
Sandwich islands to the United States caused
n 10 OF ss be
ntand people of those islands. His conduct as
the public representative Of this government
was directly conducive to bring about the con.
dition of affairs which resulted in the over
throw of the queen, the organization of the
provisional government. the landing of the
scheme of annexation; and upon this conclu.
sion his conduct is seriously reprehensible and
deserving Of public censure.
Republican Supplementary Report.
The republican members agreeing to Ir.
Morgan's report submit the following as sup
Elementary thereto and more fully expressive
of their views:
1--WE are in entire accord with the essential
findings in the exceedingly able report sub
mitted hy the chairman OF the committee on
foreign relations. But it is our opinion
~, ~. That the appointing s on the liih day OF
senate. OF Hon. james II. Blount as special
commissioner to the Hawaiian government
under letters Of credence and his authority as
that such appointee. Mr.. Blount, was never
nominated to the senate. but was appointed
without its advice and consent. although that
tody was in session when appointment was
made and continued to be in session for q long
time Immediately thereafter.
-. The orders of the executive department
by which the naval force of The United States
in the narbor of Honolulu was in effect, placed
under the command of Mr. Blount or of MIR.
Willis without authority or warrant OF law.
'-3. The order given by Mr.. Blount to AdI,.t-
raj Skerrett to lower the United States ensign
from the government building in Honolulu and
to embark the troops on the ships to which
they belonged was an order which Mr.. Blount
had no lawful authority to give. Its object was
had been disavowed by the administration of
President Harrison Immediately upon receiv-
ing Information OF its establishment The
tag and troops; when such order was
lions from which he ordered them to be
removed for the purpose of maintaining order
and protecting American life and property.
Their presence had been eiectual to those
did create. public excitement and to degree
distrust, OF the power of the provisional gov
eminent to preserve order or to maintain IL
self. That order of Mr.. Blount was suscepti-
ble Of being construed as indicating an un-
friendly disposition on the part of the United
States toward the provisional government and
it was so construed particularly by the people OF
Hawaii.
II. The question Of the rightfulness of the
revolution OF the lawfunesS of the means by
which the deposition and abdication of the
queen was effected and the right of the pro
| visional government to exist and to continue
to exist was conclusively settled, as the report
so forcibly states, against the queen and il
favor OF the provisional government, by the
| son recognizing such provisional government
by the negotiation by that administration
| with such provisional government Of 4
| treaty of annexation to the United States;
| BY accreeiting diplomatic representation b.
| such administration. and by the present ad
mi1istratlon to such provisional government