The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-02-27
STEVENS WAS RIGHT.
Morgan's Report Condemns the
Policy Of Infamy.
In DspsssA Herself ana shesid Nss Ds
Restored Of Troops sad No
gss1asfsn 81 Treaty Proper.


sign relations. today presented the report
Of the investigations OF that COMMITTEES
made under the resolution requiring Is 10
report whether any. and. If so, what IT.
regularities had occurred In the dipio-
matte or ether intercourse between the
United States and Hawaii in relation 10
the recent political revelation in Hawaii.
The report was prepared by Morgan and
conccrred in by Frye. Doiph and Davis,
the Republican members Of the com nit
tee, who make also supplemental report.
Butler, Turp!e, Daniel and Gray, Demo-
cra.s, submit . minority report. These
reports, together with the mass OF evil
denee taken By the committee, are very
vcinminous.
Morgan begins with the proposition that
this government in dealing with any form
Of government In Hawaii can hare no
break in its line of policy corresponding
to any change In the office OF president.
IL Is in all respects the same government
as ii under the same president during the
entire period. The president. however,
has the right to . change Of mind in the
same person.
The report then declares against mon
archism in the islands, saying that We ex-
erciss at least a moral suzerainty over
Hawaii. which Is an American state en-
praced in the American commercial and
military system. emitting IL 20 indulRent
consideration, If not active sympathy, in
its endeayors TO release her people from
an odious anti-republican regime which
subordinates her people to- supposed
divine right of monarchy, whose title to
such divinity originated in the most
slavish conditions Of pagan barbarity.
The report approves Minister Stevens
order landing troops from the Boston. on
the ground that conditions existed which
led naturally to apprehension of civil COM
motion endangering the security OF Amer
lean citizens, and points out that on three
or four previous occasions similar action
was taken. This condition, the report
says. grew out of the effort of the queen to
overthrow the constitution. and her act
amounted to an act of nbdication and
neutrslizsd her power TO protect American
citizens. The report says: cit Is evident
that the queens government at that time
had no power to prevent the landing of
troops from any quarter. no power to
protect itself against invasion, and no
power to conduct the civil government
In other words. an interregnum existed.
The queen only held the throne un-
der her oath and the constisu-
ton. and when she declared her
self absolved therefrom il was an actual
act OF abdication. Furthermore, she had
been overthrow by the white people of
the islands. Before the troops from the
Boston were landed the Hawaiian mon
archy had persisted" In view of this, the
report lays down the proposition that in
country where there was no power of
law to protect citizens of the United
States there can be no law of nations nor
any rule of comfy that can rightfuiiy pre-
vent our dag from giving shelter to them
under protection Of our arms; this with
out reference to any distress ii may give
the queen, Who generated the confusion,
| or any advantage 1t might give the people
disputing her right TO resume her legal
power. The report declares that the pur-
pose OF Minister Stevens and Capt Wiitse
was legitimate. and that they acted in
good faith and with no interests EXCEPT
| the protection of American citizens and
preserving order.
The report speaks of the work of Ameri-
can missionaries in building up . consti-
| tutional government in that country, and
| says IL entities the people of the United
| States TO sympath!ze and assist in resist
| ing its destruction. The queens desire to
Danish or kill her opponents should cause
| Americans not to hesitate to support the
| government opposed TO her. The report
then says that President Cleveland, as
soon as he learned of this DISPOSE
ton OF the queen. abandoned further
attempts at restoration, though unfor-
tunateiy Willis, In the belief that he was
following his instructions, held two or
three interviews with the queen there
after. The report adds when the
crown falls in any kingdom of the west.
eTn hemisphere il is pulverized, and when
the scepter departs 1t departs forever.
American opinion cannot sustain any
American ruler in an attempt to restore
them, no matter how virtuous and sincere
the reasons may be that seem to Justify
them"
Stevens recognition of the new govern.
mens is justified, the report saying: 81,
was his duty at the earliest possible period
TO assist by recognition the termination OF
the interregnum tor the safety of the citi.
gems OF the United States" The repor.
says the question of annexation aud Stew
ems anx.ous advocacy thereof did not re-
/
right TO cal! for troops to protect citizens
OF the United States. The committee
therefore finds no cause of eensure eithe,
against Minister Stevens or Capt. Wi!tse,
The subsequent raising of the American
flag on the government building and the
declaration of United States protectorats
was void for want Of power and disavoyed
| by Secretary Foster and rebuked by
Gresham, who ordered the proteetorate
abandoned and the dag hauled down tc
| preserve the national honor OF this conn
try. The report makes the point that We
have always exercised the privilege OF IN
reference in Hawaii 20 an extent not JUS
tined in the affairs OF other countries.
The matter of annexation is discussed a,
length, aud while the whole tenor is fay
cradle 10 annexation, no statement 10 that
eiiec. Is made. 1t says annexation has
been subject of almost constant contem
p!ation among Hawaiians since the begin,
ming Of the reign of kamehameha the
First. In diplomatic correspondence fire.
doeut and favorable a.lusion has been
made TO the subject. The testimony n Ken
by the committee disclosed the orjuion
that several Of our most eminent naval
and military officers believe annexation
indispensable to the proper defense and
protection OF Western coast cities. The
committee saws il is one deserving thor.
ongh investigation and n correct friend! y
decision. The report states THAI the re-.
eognluon Of the provisional government
was lawful and contributed to peace.
lac report then takes Up the appoi
9