The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1894-03-23

placed and another substituted, but only
| department which was left vacant had
been rehsbilitai''d.
When this was done and the fact was
recognized, the Government of Hawaii
was as competent 10 treat of annexation
10 the United States as it had ever been,
or as il will ever te. until the United States
shall decide thai il will annex no more
territory unless with the consent of the
people 10 be annexed, 10 be ascertained
by plebiscite
Complaint is made also that this pro
ject of annexation was attempted TO be
contaminated in too great haste.
That raises question OF due con ider-
alton; for, if the people of both coun-
tries desired II, or u, accnrdiug To every
precedent 10 BE- iOuni in the various an
nexatlons OF countries and states to the
United States, the respective govern
ments desired II, speedy action in com
pleting the cesSi M was deSirabl- for
many obvious reasons. among which the
injurious disturbance OF commerce and
danger TO the public peace growing out
of a protrscted agitation Of so grave
matter, are conspicuous
But this is question of long stand
ing, which has been under favorable
consideration by the kinss and people OF
hawaii and the Government and people
OF the United States for more than fifty
years.
1t is well understood. and lis import
ance increases with every new event OF
any consequence in Hawaii, and with
the iAlling-in OF every island in the Pa
cific ocean that is captured ny the great
maritime powers of Europe. The COM
mittee have copied, in the Appendix to
this report, portions Of the remarks OF
Hon. William f. Draper in the House OF
Representatives on the 4th of February,
1874, which refer in 4 very clear and con-
else way TO the progress OF foreign inter
vention in the Pacific Ocean BY Euro
psan powers.
\ President informed as to the history
of his country could find no difficulty in
dealing with the question OF the annex
alton OF Hawaii to the United States on
the ground that ii is new; and a minister
10 Hawaii who should fail TO inform his
Government of the political changes in
Hawaii that would effect that question
would neglect his duty.
1t is not 8 Just criticism upon the cor
reSpondence of Minister Stevens with his
Government that be earnestly advocated
annexation In this he was in line with
Mr.. Marcy and nearlv every one of his
successors as Secretary oil State, and with
many OF Mr.. Stevens pred cessoTs az
minister TO Hawaii. His letters to his
Government were written under e
confidence that Is requisite to
secure freedom in such communications,
and were not expected to come under
the scrutiny of sll mankind They show
no improper spirit ami are not impeach-
able as c0loring or perverting the truth,
although some matters stated by him
NAV b. classed as severe refiec ions
Whatever motives may have actusted or
sny representative OF the Gu
vernment of the United states ia his
conduct OF our affairs in Hawaii, ii he
acted within the limits Of his powers,
with honest intentions, and has not
placed the Government OF the United
States upon false ami untenable grounds,
his conduct IL not irregular.
But, in his d-alings with the Hawaiian
his conduct was character
ised by becoming dignity and reserve,
and was not IN any way harsh or ufrn-
sive In the opinion of the committee,
basel upon the evidence which accom-
panies this report, the only substantial
irraEu arity that existed in the conduct !
,. any officer OF the United States, or
agent Of the President, during or since !
he tine Of the revolution of 1913, was
that o, Minister Stevens in declaring a
pr1;ectora3e OF he United States over
Hawaii, and in placing the fAs Of our
cOlnIy u. OF the Government building I.
in HoIolu;G. No actual harm resulted |
frosu this unauthorized act, bnt as a !
precedent it Is not TO be considered as |
being jus fled. The committee have /
10. considered it necessary to present
any resolutions stating the conclusions
ihat are dicated in this report, and ask
that they he disch 3rgei from the further
OF the resolutions under
which this report Is made.