The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-01-16

investigation. we submit, were unfavor
able to such an examination or any
examination upon which human inter
ests are to be adjudicated. AS / am re
llably informed, he selected his witness
es and examined them in eecret, freely
using leading questions, giving no op.
portunity for cross-examination, and of.
ten not permitting such explanations
by the witnesses themselves as they
desired to make of the evidence drawn
from them. It is hardly necessary fol
me to suggest that under such a meth
cd Of examination some witnesses would
be almost helpless in the hands of an
astute lawyer and might be drawn into
saying things which would be only half
true, and, standing alone, would be
misleading or even false in effect. 1t is
not likely that an investigation con-
Quoted in this manner would result in
fair, full and truthful statement OF
the case in point. Surely the rights OF
friendly government, admitting by
way of argument that the right of ar
bitrathpn exists, may not be disposed
of upon an eX parte and secret investi-
CATION made without the knowledge OF
such government, or an opportunity to
be heard, or even to know who the wit.
nesses were. Mr.. Blount came here a
stranger and at once entered upon his
duties. He delivered himself of the
work of collecting information, both by
examination of witnesses and collection
of statistics and other documentary
matter with great energy and industry,
giving up substantially his whole time
to its prosecution He was here but a
few months, and during that time was
so occupied with this work that he had
little opportunity left for receiving those
impressions of the state of affairs which
could best have come to him incl
dentally through wide social intercourse
with the people of the country and per-
sonal acquaintance with it's various
communities and educational and in
dustfial enterprises. He saw the coun-
try Eom his cottage in the center of
Honolulu, mainly through the eyes of
the witnesses he examined. Under these
circumstances is it probable that the
most earnest of men would be able to
form a statement that could safely be
relied upon as a basis of decision upon
the question of the standing of the
government? In view, therefore, of all
the facts in relation to the question of
the presidents authority to interfere
and concerning which members of the
executive council were actors and eye
witnesses, / am able to assure your ex-
cellency that by no action of this gov
ernment on January 18th last, or since
that time, has the authority devolved
upon the president of the United States
to interfere in the internal affairs of
this country through any conscious act
or expression of this government with
such an intention"
Speaking of Willis reference to
Blount's investigation, President Dole
says: IF the American forces illegally
assisted the revolutionists in the es-
tablishment Of the provisional govern
mert, that government is not RESPONSE
BILE for the wrong doing. 1t Is purely
private matter for discipline between
the United States government and it's
own officers. There is, / submit, no
precedent in international law for the
theory that such action of American
troops has conferred upon the United
States authority over the internal af-
fairs Of this government. Should 1t be
true, as you have suggested, that the
American government has made itself
responsible to the queen, who, 1t is al
legged, lost her throne through such ac-
tion, that Is not matter for me to
discuss, except to submit that II such
be the case it is a matter for the Amer
ican government tc settle between them.
This government, a-recognized sovereign
power, equal in authority with the Un'
tied States government and enjoying
perfect diplomatic relations with 1t, can.
not be destroyed by 1t for the sake of
discharging its obligations to the eX
queen. Upon these grounds. Mr. Min
lister. in behalf of my government, ]
respectfully protest against usurping
its authority as suggested by your COM
munlcatlon."
President Dole then reviews the polit-
ical events in Hawaii for a number of
years, and concludes his reply to Min.
lister Willis as follows:
II am instructed to inform you, Mr..
Minister, that the provisional govern
ment Of the Hawaiian Islands respect
fully declines to entertain the PROPOSE
ton Of the president Of the United
States that it should surrender its au-
thority to the ex-aueen, This answer
is made, not only upon the grounds
hereinbefore get forth, but upon our
sense OF duty and loyalty to the brave
men whose commission we hold, who
nave fafthftilIxy atood hv 10 IN tho ha4trl