The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1894-03-20


period, TO assist by his recognition in
the termination OF the interregnum, sc
that citizens of the United States might
be safely RENTED 10 the care of tina,
Government for the security OF their
rights. AS soon as he was convinced
that the Provisional Government was
secure against overthrow it was his duty
to recognize the rehabilitated State.
Whether this was done an hour or two
sooner or later could make no substan-
tlal difference as to his rights or duties, il
he was satisfied that the movement was
safe against reversal. II no question OF
the annexation OF Hawaii to the United
States had existed, the conduct of the
American minister in giving official
recognition to the Provisional Govern
ment would not have been the subject of
adverse criticism. But the presence OF
that question and his anxious advocacy
OF annexation did not relieve him from
the duty or abridge his right to call for
the troops on the Boston to protect the
citizens of the United States during an
interregnum in the Office of chief execu-
tive OF Hawaii. They were not to be put
into state OF outlawry and peril if the
minister had been opposed to annexa-
tlon, nor could his desire on that subject
IN any way affect their rights or his duty.
de gave to them the protection they had
| the right TO demand, and, in respect of
| his action up to this point, so far as it
| related to Hawaii, his opinions as to
annexation have not affected the attitude
| OF the U. S. Government, and the COM
mlttee ind no cause OF cenSure either
against Minister Stevens or Captain
Wiltse, OF the Boston.
Atterward, on the LIST day OF February,
1893, the American minister caused the
flag OF the United States to be raised on
the Government building in Honolulu,
and assumed and declared protectorate
over that nation in the name of the
United States. This act on the part of
our minister was without authority, and
was void for want OF power. 1t was dis
avowed by Secretary Foster and rebuked
by Secretary Gresham, and the order to
abandon the protectorate and haul down
the flag was in accordance with the duty
aud honor OF the United States To haul
down the flag OF the United States was
only an order to preserve its honor.
The diplomatic officers of the United
States in Hawaii have the right to much
larger liberty OF action in respect to the
internal affairs OF that country than
would be the case with any other coun-
try with which We have no peculiar or
special relations. In our diplomatic cor
respondence with Hawaii and in the
various treaties, some Of them treaties of
annexation, which have been signed and
discussed, though not ratified, from time
to time, there has been manifested very
near relationship between the two gov
ernments. The history OF Hawaii in its |
progress, education, development, and |
government, and in Christianity, has |
been closely identified with that Of the |
United States-sD closely, indeed, that |
the United States has not at any lime |
hesitated to declare that it would permit |
no Intervention in the affairs of Hawaii |
by any foreign government which might !
tend to disturb the relations with the |
United States, or to gain any advantage !
there over the Americans who NAV have
settled in that country. The United
States has assumed and deliberately
maintained toward Hawaii a relation !
which is entirely exceptional, and has no
parallel In our dealings with any other
people.
The justification for this attitude is not
a matter with which this inquiry is
connected, but its existence
furnishes good excuse, if excuse is
needed, for 4 very lively concern on the
part Of our diplomatic representatives in
everything that relates to the progress OF
that people.
The causes that have led to this
peculiar situation are altogether appar-
ent. They are in every sense honorable,
just, and benevolent. One nation can
not assume such an attitude toward an
other especially II the latter is, by con-
trast, small, weak and dependent upon
the good will or forbearance OF the world
Tor lis existence, without giving to it
9 laranty OF external and internal
security.
The attitude OF the United States
toward Hawai-, thus voluntarily as
sumed, gives to Hawaii the right to
regard it as such guaranty.
In the absence OF policy to establish
l colonial system and of any disposition
or territorial ACKNOWLEDGMENT, the Gov
srnment OF the United States looked with
appreciation and gave encouragement to
he labors and influence OF their citizens
n Hawaii, in laying the groundwork of
! free and independent government there
which, in its principles and in the dis
ribution of powers, should be like our
'wn, and ultimately become republican
n form. This has been the unconcealed c
wish Of the people OF the United States,
n which many OF the native Hawaiians
AVE participated.
Observing the spirit Of the Monroe
the United States, in the begin
ing of oar relations with Hawaii, made
firm and distinct declaration of the
urpose TO prevent the absorption of
laval or the political coutrol OF that
Ogntry by any foreign power. Without
tatIng the reasons for this policy, which =
lcluded very important commercial and \
Military considerations, the attitude of |
ne United States toward Hawaii WIS in
lOral effect that of friendly protector
ie 1t has been a settled policy Of the
United States that if it should turn out !
nat Hawaii, for any cause, should not
e able to maintain an independent gov
rnment, that country would be encour- s.
ged in its tendency to gravitate toward y
olitical union with this country. n
The treaty relations between Hawaii
nd tha TTnitad States aS 6vad