Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1894-03-28
minister Stevens and Captain wiltss's Rsa-
sons Tor Raising the Flag Il Honolulu.


sons Tor Raising The Flag Il Honolulu.
Regarding the raising Of the United
States flag over the Hawaiian government
building in Honolulu, Feb. let, 1893, with
the approval Of Minister Stevens and Capt.
Wlltse. there are very erroneous opinions
based more or less on incorrect information
- to facts. 1t now becomes my duty, in
justice to my own reputation, - we'll - 10
vindication of the character and memory of
Captain Wiltse, now at rest in his honOred
grave, after forty years Of faith
full service to his country, to make
full statement of the reasons of
our action. 1t was in the most entire &C.
cord after mutual and thorough investiga-
ton Of the condition of affairs in Hawaii,
that the American minister and naval COM
mander arrived at the conclusion that it
was their imperative duty to protect Amer
lean life and property, to aid in the presef-
walton of public order, to defend the SOW
ereign rights and general welfare Of Hawaii
against threatening foreign elements inim-
ical to the prestige and treaty rights
Of the United States. The official
records in Honolulu AMI in Washing
ton amply sustain the assertion and i'm
plications of Secretary Bayard's dispatch,
of July IL, 1887, and of the very able re-
bort Of Senator Morgan, chairman of the
senate committee of foreign relations, that
the United States for years has exercised
kind Of suzerainty or pr0tectorate over
the Hawaiian islands. The presence and
attitude of our naval vessels for many
years in the harbor Of Honolulu plainly i'm
ply this.
What compelled the American minister
and Captain Wiltse, on the 31st of January,
to decide to raise the United States flag?
First, the provisional government, the only
temblance Of government then existing in
the islands, formally requested it as the most
effective means of preserving life and prop
erty, and maintaining public order. In the
afternoon of January l4th the Hawaiian
monarchy utterly collapsed in revolution
ary attempt Of the reigning sovereign to
overthrow the constitution, and to subvert
the laws and institutions on which life,
property and civilized liberty depended.
For the three following days there was an
absolute interregnum and complete alb
sence of legal executive authority. Out of
the then existing state Of things the provi-
sional government had sprung into existence,
which was promptly recognized by all the
foreign representatives residing at Homo
lulu. But it was morally impossible for
the provisional government to create an
efficient police. organize and discipline the
necessary military force, and recre 'te the
whole machinery of government through
out the extensive and separate islands of
the group, ia two weeks. The provisional
government became Immediately strong
enough, 90 far ~ the legal ci izens OF
Hawaii we're concerned. But neatly half
of the population Of the islands was tenn
porary or foreign residents, who had
heretofore taken no part In political
affairs. Among the japanese, numbering
nearly twenty THOUSAND, . burning question
hal arisen. They were agitating for the
right Of suffrage. The japanese represent
tative in virtue Of his diplomatic authority
had began to urge this demand before the
mon afchy fell. He renewed It with in
creased energy soon after the provisional
government was established. Il was sad
and extensively believed, that m1hy Of the
Japanese, having previously served in the
japanese army, could be made effective in
re storing the monarchy stimulated to do 80
by the hope and promise of receiving
the right of suffrage, which it was
believed Liliuckalani and her supporters
OF the lottery And opium rings would readi-
" promise. Rumors OF intended outbreak
resulting from combieation OF the white
adventurers and the lower native Hawaiisn
element under their control, acting in
CO operation with the japanese ex-soldiers,
gained possession OF the public ear. uacer-
tainty, fear, and panic were greatly disturb
ing the families of the peaceful citizens.
In view OF various exciting and critical