The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1894-02-08
THE HAWAIIAN DEBATE.

THE HAWAIIAN DEBATE.
Representative McCreary, of Kentucky, is
q very able criminal lawyer, but has never
bad quite as difficult task in the way of
averting justice as was set him to de-
fend the Administrators Hawaiian policy,
and support the toady resolutions the Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs ordered reported
to the House. These read
Resolved, First. That it is the sense of this House
that the action of the United States Minister in
pioying United States Naval forces and illegally
aiding in overtbrowing the constitutional Govern
ment of the Hawaiian Islands in January, ls93. and
in setting up in its place Provisional Governm
not republican in form. and in opposition 10 the
will of a majority Of the people was contrary 10
the traditions Of our Republic. and the spirit of
Constitution and should be and is condemned.
Second. That heartily approve the princi-
pie announced by the President of the United
States that interference with the domestic affairs
OF an independent nation is contrary to the spirit
of American institutions.
Aud it is further the of this House that the
annexation of the Hawaiian Islands 10 country,
or the assumption of a proiecorate over them by
our Government, is uncalied for and inexpedient;
that the reople Of that country should have abso-
Lutte freedom and independence in pursuing their
line of policy, and that foreign intervention in tho
political affairs of the islands will not be regarded
with indifference By the Government of the United
States.
The premise is falsehood, as has been
shown by overwhelming evidence. The
only proof that McCreary was able to offer
were the statements of stupid old Blount,
the prejudiced correspondent of the New
York Herald, and casual American named
Reader. Against this is the testimony of
all our naval officers, without exception, ard
a cloud Of other witnesses of unimpeachable
veracity. Even the ex-Queen herself says
that her deposition was accomplished before
the American forces were landed. One strong
point that McCresry attempted to make was:
What was the situation at that time? There
81 anchor in the same harbor British mau-of war.
and there the islands go subjects OF Great
Britain. There also at anchor In the same har-
Dor japanese manof war; and there were II ,0O0
Japanese subjects the islands And yet The
British Minister the Japanese Minister did not
think that there was any danger to the lives
did not think OF landing ANY soldiers to protect
them. When Minister Stevens landed these troops
lie committed act of war; and l arraign him
here for that act of
What idiocy! What un-Americanism!
The reason that the British and japanese
were not asked to land troops was that it
has been for many years tacitly understood
that the Americans regarded the Hawaiian
Islands as particularly under their protec-
ton, and that any display of force there by
other powers would be regarded as just
cause Of offense.
Representative HIT, from the minority of
the Committee On Foreign Affairs, offered
tho following resolution:
Resoteed, That it is the sense of this House that
the demand csu-ed by the President of The United
States by his imperative instr uctons TO be made
the 18Th OF December last. upon the President aud
officers Of the Hawaiian Government, that IL
promptly relinquish all authority, and his proposed
erection of a monarchy in its stead was nm
warranted Intervention In the affairs of friendly
and recognized Government, contrary to the law
Of Nations the policy aud traditions of this Repub-
lie and The spirit Of the Constitution.
Resolred. That the Provisional Government of
Hawhii. having been duly recognized. the highest
International intorest requires that i. shall pursue
its own line Of policy; and foreign Intervention in
the political affairs Of these islands will be reg srded
act unfriendly to the Government OF the
United States.
Hill riddled McCreary's speech and the
policy of the Administration very thor
oughly, and closed with fine tribute to
President Dole and his associates, whose
only sin, he said, was blind "love for Amer
lea, and for free itutions."