The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-01-03
THE MESSAGE ON HAWAII
CLEVELAND LAYS THE MAT
TER BEFORE CONGRESS.

a Review OF the SITUATION before anu
LAftkr,the Revolution-The Presi-
dent Admits the Miscarriage or
His Plans-Instructions to Minis
ter Willis.
fhe Presidents response to the resolutions
passed by both Houses OF Congress, request
Ing information on Hawaiian affairs, and
especially as to the nature of the instrue-
lions given to Minister Willis has been sent
10 Congress. The message OF the President
was, in part, as follows;
In my recent annual message TO the Con-
gress briefly referred to our relations with
Hawaii and expressed the intention OF ftrans-
Hnitting further information on the subject
when additional advices permitted.
Though I an not able now to report
definite change in the situation. Tam con-
yinced that the difficulties lately created
both here and in Hawaii and now standing
In the way OF q solution through executive
action of the problem presented, render it
proper and expedient that the matter should
Be referred to the broader authority and dis
erection Of Congress, with full explanation
Of the endeayor thus far made to deal with
the emergency, and statement OF the con-
Eiderations which have governed my action:
Mr.. Cleveland first refers to the treaty OF
annexation which he withdrew soon after his
inauguration, 1t having been pending at the
change Of Administrations.
He then reviews the process of the revolu-
lion and the allegations that the presence OF
United States troops made the overthrow OF
the Queen possible. Then he continues:
. Thus between the initiation Of the scheme
nor Provisional Government in Hawaii on
5auuary IA, and the submission to the Senate
, Of the treaty OF annexation concluded with
such Government, the entire interval was
thirty-two days, fifteen OF which were spent
by the Hawaiian Commissioners In thelr
tourney to Washington.
In the next place, upon the face OF the
Paper submitted with the treaty, It clearly
appeared that there was open and Cndeter-
mined an issue Of fact of the most vital i'm
portance. The message Of the President ac-
eoupanying the treaty declared that "the
overthrow of the monarchy was not In any
way promoted by this Government"
But protest also accompanied said
treaty. signed by the Queen and her Min
,isters at the time she made way for the Pro-
lyisioual Government, which explicitly stated
that she yielded to the superior force OF the
Omitted States. whose Minister had caused
United States troops to be landed at Homo
lulu and declared that he would support
such Provisional Government.
conceived it to be my duty, therefore, to
withdraw the treaty from the Senate for ex-
animation, and meanwhile to cause an ac-
curate, full and impartial investigation to be
made ofthe facts attending the suoverslon OF
the Constitutional Government OF Hawaii and
the installment in its place Of the Provisional
Cove. lment.
TIE report, with its accompanying proofs,
and such other evidence as is now before the
Couyrsss or is herewith submitted, justif1es,
in my opinion, the statement that when the
President was led to submit the treaty to the
Senate with the declaration that ''the over
throw OF the monarchy was not in any way
promoted by this Government" and when
the Senate was induced to receive and dis
ate were misled.
1t is unnecessary to set forth the reasons
which in January, 1893, led considerable
portiou of American and other foreign mer-
chants and traders residing at. Honolulu
to favor the annexation Of Hawaii to the
United States. It is sufficient to note the
fact and to observe that the project was one
which was zealously promoted by the
Minister representing the United States in
that country. He evidently had an ardent
desire that il should become fact accom-
plished By his agency and during lis minis
try, and was not inconyeniently scrupulouS
as to the means employed to that end.
His declarations certainly show disposi-
don and condition of mind which may be
usefulIy recalled when interpreting the sig
ailcance ofthe Minister'S conceded*acrs OF
when considering the probabilities OF such
conduct on his part as may not be admitted.
To Minister Of this temper, full Of zeal
for annexation, there seemed to arise in
January, 1898, the precise opportunity for
which he WAS watchfIlly waiting.
Aa a fnrthar illusfration of 'thA activity Of
this diplomatic representative attention is
sailed to the fact that he issued proclana-
ton whereby, lin the name OF the United
Ytates" he assumed the. protection OF the
Hawaiian Islands and declared that said ac-
ton was '.taken pending and subject to ne
gotiations at Washington
OF course this assumption of a protecto-
rate was promptly disavowed by our Govern
ment, but the American flag remained over
the Government Building at Honolulu and
the forces remained on guard until April and
after Mr Blount's arrival on the scene, when
both were removed.
- The President then recites the events oul-
niuating In the overthrow OF the Queen, and
concludes that she only retired because over
awed By the presence of the forces Of the
United States and with the distinct under
standing that her case was to be submlttedto
the authorities in Washington and that the
until the decision came from Washington
BE SAYS further
If any peril to life and property calling for
any such martial array had existed, Great
Britain and other foreign powers interested
would not have been behind the United
States in activity to protect their citizens.
But they made no sign in that direction.
When these armed men were landed, the
city OF Honolulu was in its customary Or
.derly and peaceful condition.
The military occupation Of Honolulu by
the United States on the day mentioned was
wholly without justification, either as an oc-
cupstion by consent or as an occupation
necessitated by dangers threatening Ameri-
cau life and property. It must be accounted
for in some other way and on some other
ground. and its real motive and purpose ara
neither obscure nor far to seek.
Tue Provisional Government proclaimed
was. by the terms of the proclamation, Ito
exist until terms of union with the United
states have been negotiated and agreed
upon" The United States Minister. pur-
suant to prior agreement, recognized this
Government within an hour after the read
tng Of the proclamation. and before clock,
In answer to an inquiry on behalf OF the
Queen and her Cabinet, announced that LIE
bad done 3d..
Yet the Queen had possession OF toe
palace, OF the barracks and or the police Sta-
lion, and had at her command at least 500
fully armed men and several pieces OF artillery.
Indeed the whole military iorce OF her king
. dom was on her side and at her disposal
while the committee Of safety, by actual
search, had discovered that there were but
very few arms in Honolulu that were not in
theserylce of the Government. In this state
of things if the Queen could have dealt with
the insurgents alone her course would have
been plain and the result unmistaEaoe.
But the United States had allied itself with
her enemies, had recognized them as the
true Government OF Hawaii, and had put net
TO- ha nnn09I.