The herald., 1894-02-27

correspond ence frequent and favorable
allusion b az been made to the subject.
The testimony taken by the committee
discloses the opinion that several OF our
most eminent naval and military officers
think annexation Indispensable to the
proper defense and protection OF our
western coast cities. The committee
says it is one deBeeving thorough in
vestigstion and a correct and friendly
decision.
The report states that the recognition
of the provisional government was law
full and contributed to peace.
BLouNT's APPOINTMENT.
The report then takes up the appoint
ment OF Blount and his investigation. 1t
saws he presented sincere and instruct
i've report, but that the agitated state
OF opinion and the feeling in Hawaii at
the time made it next TO impossible to
obtain full, fair and free declaration of
facts; that the evidence taken by the
commissioner, under more favorable cir
cumstances, established the fact that
the revolution originated with Liliuoka-
lani. who expected through the opium
and lottery bill to secure funds to carry
| out her purpose.
The report upholds the right OF the
| president to appoint Blount and dele
| gate to him paramount authority. 1t
says the president would not have been
| justified in using force to restore the
| queen. and that he did not contemplate
such action; therefore his tender of his
good offices for settlement of differ
ences was strictly within his accepted
right.
The fact that the provisional govern
ment was formed to exist till annexation
to the United States justified interior
ence for its protection, which would not
have been tolerated under other circum-
stances; therefore the provisional gov
eminent, having thrown itself into the
arms of the United States, cannot justly
com plain that the United States should
scrutinize all pretensions of right thus
to dispose of the entire country and
people.
Moreover, the queen herself abdicated
professionally, awaiting the decision of
the United States as to her rights. Un-
der these conditions, the president OF
the United States believing the informa-
ton then in possession of the govern
ment was not sufficient to justify sum-
mary annexation, could not have done
justice to himself or his country, to the
people OF Hawaii, to the provisional
government or to Liliuokalaoi, without
having made an effort to use his coed
offices to ascertain whether it WAS pre- c.
ticable for the queen to be restored to
authority.
THE RESTORATION QUESTION.
The report says if the provisional gov
eminent had agreed to restoration, the
United States would not have been in
any sense responsible for her restora-
ton, would not have espouHed the mon
archy, nor have contravened annexation
sentiment or policy they would merely
have been mutual friends in the sou-
ton of the question. Therefore, the
committee concludes:
1.-The president of the United States
has not In this particular, in any wise
been q party to any irregularity or i'm
propriety of conduct in bis high Office.
The committee finds nothing worthy of
criticism in the negotiation Of a treaty
of annexation with the provisional gov
eminent 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
desiring it speedy conclusion was de-
sirable in the interest of good govern
ment. Moreover, the danger of the is-
lands falling into the hands OF Euro
psan power, made prompt action neces-
sary."
| The report finds that Stevens' earnest
advocacy of annexation ia not open to
criticism, being in line with many and
nearly ali of his Successors as secretary
of state, and with many OF Stevens
predecessors in Hawaii. 1t declares
"His dealings with the Hawaiian gov
eminent were characterized by becom-
ing dignity and reserve. and were not in
anyway harsh or offensive. The only sub
Htantial irreaularity in the conduct OF
any officer of the United States was the
| declaration of a protectorate by Stevens,
though no actual harm resulted from
this act, and it merely required to be
disavowed az a precedent"
THE REPUBLICANS REPORT.
The Republican members in their
supplemental report express accord with
the essential findings of the main re.
port, but declare Blount's appointment
was unconstitutional; the placing OF the
naval force at Honolulu under his order
illegal; the hauling down of the Ameri-
can flag at Honolulu by Blount's orders,
unwarranted. because it created public
excitement and distruat; that the
president bad no authority to reopen
the question of the legality of the pro-
visional government, or attempt to re-
store the monarchy; he could not act
without the joint consent of both par
ties.
THE MINORITY REPORT.
The report OF the Democratic minor,
ity declares Stevens guilty of unbecom-
ing participation in events which tended
to revolution, but exonerates Captain
Wiltse.
Butler and Turpie submit brief
statement in favor of the annexation OF
the islands.
voLUMINoUs TESTIMONY.
The testimony taken by the commit
tee is very voIuminous, covering over
700 pages, touching all the points in
controversy.
Stevens testified that his reasons for
disclaiming protectorate were that
both the Japanese and British purpoHed
doing 30. Blount declared he had not
the slightest intimtion, from the presi-
dent or anybody else, until after his
return from Hawaii, of his intention to
reinstate Liliuokalani.
SENATE BUSINESS.