Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-03-10
Mr.. HERBERT'S REPLY
To the Boutelle Resolution as to the
Navy at Honolulu.
WHY MR.. BLOUNf CONTROLLED IT
BY Authority Of the President of
the United States.
P r E G E D E N T S CITED

:. Secretary Herbert today sent a communi-
cation to the House of Representatives in
answer to the Boutelle resolution in regard
to the use of the naval forces at Honolulu.
The letter quotes the orders given to Ad-
miral Skerrett March IL. 1888. to obey the
instructions of Mr.. Blount, heretofore trans
mtted to the House by the President, and
then recites at length the instructions given
by the Secretary of State to Mr.. Blount to
show Mr.. Blounts paramount authority
from the President
1T is also to be borne in mind" continues
the letter. "as matter of fact, that at the
time the order of March IL, referred to in
the resolution, was issued, this department
was advised that armed naval forces of the
United States had been landed upon the
territory of Hawaii, country with which
the United States were at peace. and that
the flag of the United States had been rails
ed over the public buildings in the capital
OF that country Under these circumstances
and in view of the remoteness of the Ha-
waiian Islands from telegraphic communi-
cation. 1t was essential not only that no
conflict of authority should arise with ref
erence to the disposition Of the United
States naval forces at Hawaii but that
such forces should be employed In entire
harmony with and in support Of the policy
OF the diplomatic branch of the govern
ment.
For these reasons, and In order that the
| special commissioner appointed by the
President might in the discharge Of the
important duties intrusted to him. be aided
| by the fullest cooperation on the part of
the naval branch Of the government, 1t was
deemed proper to direct that Rear Admiral
Skerrett should consult freely with Mr.
Blount, and should carry out any instruc-
tions given him in regard to the course to
be pursued by the United States naval
| forces at the Hawaiian Islands.
l deem 1t to be at all times the duty of
the Liavai forces Of the United States. in
matters affecting our foreign relations, to
| 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 ac-
cordance with the letter and spirit of such
general or special orders may be issued
| to them by the Secretary of the Navy. or
when required to do SO In cases Of special
| exigency by circumstances of such gravity
and urgency az to admit of no delay. II
the observance Of this general principle Is
incumbent upon the naval forces of the
United States In their relations with our
| diplomatic representatives in foreign coun-
| tries under ordinary circumstances it be-
comes particularly important upon occa-
sions when direct representative Of the
President charged with duties Of COM
prehensive, delicate and confidential char
acter Is sent abroad.
by Authority of the President.
department in its order of March II 1S.l3
was not only proper and necessary in or
der to preclude the possibility of any mis-
understanding or conflict of authority which
might have resulted in serious embarrass-
ments to American interests and, further
that such action was in harmony with estab-
Lshed precedent. l have to state in re-
sponse to the direct inquiry contained in
the resolution of the House, as to my au-
| thority for issuing the order in question
that said order was issued by authority of
the President, who, by constitutional pro-
vision Is made commander-in-chef of the
army and navy of the United States.
! In this connection attention is invited
to the inclosed copies of orders issued by
Secretaries of the Navy. my predecessors
relevant to the matters herein discussed.
l. Letter dated April 8. 1S23, from the
Secretary of the Navy to John Gallagher
commanding United States brig Enterprise
directing MIN to proceed to the Island of
Porto Rico. to protect all American YES
sells and the persons and property of Amer
! lean citizens from Illegal seizure by Span
ish or other cruisers, under whatever flag"
! In this letter the commander of the Enter
tions by the advice of Thomas Randall
esq, agent Of the government, who was to
be taken on board the Enterprise at New
York and landed at Porto Rico.
| . Letter dated April "a, 1923 from the
Secretary of the Navy to John Gallagher
commanding United States brig Enterprise
instructinS him under the advice and ap-
probation of Mr.. Randall, special agent OF
the United States" to carry into effect
the views expressed by Honorable John
| Quincy Adams, Secretary of State, in GER
tain communications. copies of which were
forwarded to Capt Gallagher.
| 3. Letter from the Secretary of the Navy
| to- Commodore NJ. c. Perry, commanding
the home squadron advising him that the
President had directed Nicholas T Trist
esq, of the State Deps rtment to proceed
hedNulIartprS ba
squadron. as he should deem most con-
venient;" that Mr.. Trist was clothed with
such diplomatic power as TO authorize him
to enter into arrangements with the Mexi-
can government for the mutual suspension
| of hostiities;" and adding, you will not
relax the vigor If your operations while
he may remain IN Mexico. unless he di-
| rects you to suspend them"
| 4. Letter dated May S. 1S41, from Com
mCdore Perry reporting receipt of and COM
! pliance with the above order.
Recent Precedents.
| 5. Letter dated November g. 1869, from the
Secretary of the Navy to Capt c. b.
Balch, commanding L. S. S. Albany, di-
| recting him to receive on board the Albany
| Gen. Bah sock, who would have certain
orders from the President of the United
States;' to conform to all Gen. Babcock's S
wishes and orders, and to convey him to
such points as he might desire to visit
and when he had accomplished the duty
on which he was sent, to return with him
| to the United States, if he SO desired
! G. Letter dated January IL, 1870 from the
Secretary of the Navy to Lieut. Commander
f. NJ. Bunce, on the same subject.
| Z. Letter dated December ., 1881, from
! the Secretary of the Navy to Rear Admiral
| G. b. Balch, commanding the United States
naval force. Pacific station advising him
I of the appointment of Mr.. William Henry
Trescott Of the Department of State as
/ special envoy extraordinary and minister
plenipotentary, with instructions to proceed
| to Chile, and directing Rear Admiral Bach
| to be governed, far practicable, by
| his wishes.
with reference to the direction contained
in the latter clause of the resolution, have
| to state that copies of all orders, directions
and instructions issued by the Secretary of
! the Navy. or by any officer of this depart
| ment, or of the navy, so far as such orders
directions and instructions are to be found
/ upon the files and records of the depart
ment, from March T. 1859, to December 1S
1898, were transmitted to the House by the
President on the date last named, and were
! printed as a part Of House executive docu-
| ment No. 4S of the present session, a copy
Of which is inclosed. Copies of all papers in
the possession of the department relating
to the subject matter of the resolution
which have been issued or received since
December Is, 1893, are also inclosed."
Mr.