The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-27

ment to that effect is made. 1t SAYS:
Annexation has been subject of almost
constant contemplation among Hawaiians
since the beginning of the reign of Kane
hameha l. In diplomatic correspondence
frequent and favorable allusion has been
made to the subject. The testimony taken
by the COMMITTEES discloses the opinion of
several of our most eminent naval and
military officers that annexation Is iudis-
pensabe 10 the proper defense and pro-
lection of our western coast Cities" The
committee saws it is one deserving of
thorough investigation and a correct,
friendly decision. The recognition of the
Provisional Government was lawful and
contributed to peace.
The report then takes up the appoint
ment of Blount and his Investigation, and
says he presented "a sincere, instructive
report. but that the agitated state of
opinion aud feeling in Hawaii at the time
made it next to impossible to obtain a
full, fair and free declaration OF facts :;
that the evidence taken by the committee.
under more favorable circumstances, es-
tablished the fact that the revolution
originated with Liliuokalani. who ex-
pected, through opium and lottery bills, to
secure funds to carry oct her purpose"
The report upholds the right of the
President to appoint Blount and delegate
TO him paramount authority, and says:
THE President would not have been jus.
titled in using force to restore the Queen,
and did not contemplate such action !;
therefore his tender of good Offices for the
settlement of differences was strictly
within his accepted right
"TEe fact that the Provisional Govern
ment was formed to exist until annexation
TO the United States justified interference
for its protection. which would not have
been tolerated under other circumstances !;
therefore thu Provisional Government,
having thrown itself into the arms of the
United States, cannot justly complain that
the United States should scrutinize all
pretenslons 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. Under these conditions
the President of the United States, be-
lieging the information then in possession
of the Government not sufficient to Justify
summary annexation, could not have done
justice to himself, to his country. to the
people of Hawaii, to the Provisional Gov
ernment or to Liliuokalani without having
made an effort to use his good offices to as
certain whether it was practicable for the
Queen TO be restored to authority"
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 restoration !;
would not have espoused monarchy nor
have eoDtravened American sentiment nr
policy. They would merely have been
mutual friends in the solution of the ques-
tion. Therefore, the COMMITTEES concludes,
''the President of the United States has
not in this particular in any wise been a
party TO any irreEularity or improperly OF
conduct in his high Office"
The committee finds nothing worthy Of
criticism in negotiating treaty of annexa-
ton with the Provisional Government of
Hawaii, as the Provisional Government is
perfectly competent to make such treaty.
The committee finds the treaty not nego-
tiated too hastily. as charged, because,
both parties desiring it, speedy concu-
sion was desirable In the interest of good
government. Moreover, the danger of the
islands falling into the hands of Euro
".
The report finds Stevens earnest advo-
cacy of annexation not open to criticism
it being in line with Marcy and nearly all
his successors as Secretary of State and
with many of Stevens predecessors in
Hawaii. 1t declares ''his dealings with
the Hawaiian Government were cbarac-
terized by becoming dignity and reserve,
and were not in any way harsh or Often
sIve. The only substantial irregularity in
the conduct of any officer of The United
States was the declaration of q protector
ate by Stevens. though no actual harm
resulted from his acts, and they are merely
required to be disav0wed as a precedent"
The Repu blican members. in their sup
Elemental report, express accord with the
essential findings of the main report, but
declare Blouni's appointment unconsttu-
tional: the placing of the naval force at
Honolulu under his orders illegal; the
hauling down of the American flag at
Honolulu by Blounts orders sunwarranted.
because it created public excitement and
distrust; that the President had no au-
therity 10 reopen the question of the legal
ity of the Provisional Government or at
tempt to restore the monarchy, and that
he could not act without the joint consent
of both parties.
The report of the Democratic minority
declares Stevens guilty of 'unbecomiog
participation" in the events which led to
the revolution, but exonerates Captain
Wiltse.
Butler and Turpie submitted brief state
ments in favor Of the annexation of the
Islands. The testimony taken by the
committee is very volhminous. covering
over 700 pages and touching all points of
the controversy. Stevens testified that bis
reasons for declaring protectorate were
that both the Japanese and British pur-
posed doing so. Blount declared he had
not the slightest intimation from the
President or anybody else until after his
return from Hawaii of the intention to
reinstate Liliuokalani.
NOT ACTIIATED RY DInIIE