The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-01-24


Such a proceeding is at times an
incident or preliminary Of war, but |
it is not fundamentally so. Indeed |
it is one of the privileges which all |
independent nations enjoy. When |
the United States rid themselves
of the Russian Katacazy and of
the Englishman SackvilleWest
when Austria declined to re-
ceive the Americans Kelley
and Max Judd and when lit
tie Chill requested Minister Egan's
recall and protested against the
conduct of Admiral Brown; and
when the Haytians had their Min
lister at Washington quietly signify
that Mr.. Douglas was PerjORa men
,grafa, nobody thought Of war or of
the breaking off of diplomatic inter
course. 1t was admitted that the
smallest independent country had
a right to have even its prejudices
consulted regarding the personnel
of the diplomats accredited to its
authority. In all the instances
given the offended nations had their
way without especial friction.
In the case of Mr.. Willis, he has
not only intrigued against the Ha-
waiian Government from the day
he landed with a treacherous letter
of credence in one hand and a dag
ger in the other, but he has been
guilty of an overt act in his refusal
to recognize, when officially re-
quested to do so, the national holi-
day of this country. In these re-
spects he has earned his passports.
AS for leading European diplo-
mat whose attitude towards the
revolution is notorious, he in turn
coldly ignored the invitation to re-
cognize the January holiday. Let
us say that unless his explanations
should suffice, the Hawaiian Gov
eminent will do we'll to turn the
tables on him promptly. 1t
would matter nothing to this
country if, on that account,
his Government should take the
unprecedented course of dropping
diplomatic relations with us. Who
cares for that ! As for coercion,
the idea would be absurd in view
Of the fact that Hawaii had merely
exercised a right guaranteed by
the laws of nations. She could af-
ford to take the chances, for weak
as she is she is stronger than any
country in Europe when guarded
by the Monroe doctrine, which the
American Congress will at any
needful time intrench in front of
her.
We have no doubt that, as a
mere matter Of politics, the self
respecting course will be the best
one. Whatever snub to Cleveland
might be conveyed in the polite
reputation of Willis would be
greatly relished by the American
people who have no more respect
for Cleveland than Hawaiians are
entitled to have. We should be
credited there with having shown
the true American spirit. As for
the European diplomat in question
it would serve a happy purpose to
show the United States, in the
public way indicated, how closely
he and his interests have proved
themselves to be allied with Cleve-
lands Hawaiian policy.
Little Hawaii, in the last twelve
months, has smashed its own
throne, scourged the Sugar King
out of a land which he thought
was his own pocket-piece, and
manned its intrenchments against
the threats of a representative ofthe
American President who had a
fleet at his back. In official cores
pondence Mr.. Dole has shown
himself more than a match for
Grover Cleveland. There remains
but one thing more to do which
will prove to all men that this
nation has a right to its independ-
ent place in the worlds affairs and
that is to rid the land of any and
every foreign Minister or diplomat
who either conspires against the
Provisional Government or ques-
tons its right to act in the legal
character of free State.
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