The herald., 1894-01-14
PRESIDENT DoLE's REPLY.


A Flat Refusal to surrender-Clsvs-
lands Interference Resented.
WASHINGTON, Jan. Is. - President
Dole's reply to Willis demand, dated
December 23d. follows:
"Your excellency's communication of
December 10th, announcing the conclus-
ion which the president of the United
States Of America Hnally arrived at con-
cerning the application of this govern
ment for treaty of political union with
that country, and referring also to the
domestic affairs OF these ielands, has
had the consideration OF this govern
ment. While it is with deep disappoint-
ment that we learn that the important
proposition which we submitted to the
government of the United States. and
which was at first favorably considered
by it, has at length been rejected. we
haveexperienced Bense of relief. We are
now favored with the first official infor-
nation that has been received through
period Of over nine months.
s'While we accept the decision of the
president of the United States, declin-
ing to further consider the annexation
proposition, as the final conclusion Of
the present administration, we do not
feel inclined to regard it as the last word
of the American government upon this
subject; for the history OF the mutual
relations Of the two countries, American
effort and influence in building up the
Christian civilization which has 90 con-
spicuously aided in giving this country
an honorable place among the independ-
ent nations; the geographical position
Of these islands and the Importance to
both countries Of profitable reciprocal
commercial interests which have long
existed, together with our weakness as
q sovereign nation, all point with con-
vincing force to practical union be-
tween the two countries ae the neces-
sary and logical result from the circum-
emphasized by the favorable expression
of American statesmen over q long
period in favor of annexation, conspicu-
Gus among whom are the names OF w.
l.. Marcy, VIM. 81. Seward, Hamilton
Fish and James G.. Blaine, all former
secretaries Of state, and especially 90 by
the action OF your last administration
in negotiating treaty of annexation
with the government and sending it to
the senate with aview of its ratification.
We shall therefore continue the project
of political union with the United States
az . conspicuous feature of our foreign
policy. confidently hoping that sooner
or later it will be crowned with success,
to the lasting benefit of both countries.
''The additional portion of your COM
munication, referring to our domestic
afaire, with view to interfering there
in, is new departure in the relations
of the two governments. Your infor-
nation that tho president of the United
States expects this government to
promptly relinquish to her (meaning
the queen) her constitutional authority,
with the question, Are you willing to
abide by the decision of the president? p
might well be dismissed in q single
word, but for the circumstance that
your communication contains, as it ap-
pears to me, misstatements and erro-
neous conclusions based thereon. 30
prejudicial to this government that
cannot permit them to pass unchal-
lenged. Moreover, the Importance and
menacing character Of this proposition,
make 1t appropriate for me to discuss
somewhat fully the question raised
by IL.
1--WE do not recognize the right of the
president of the United States to inter-
fere in our domestic affairs. Such a
right could be conferred upon him by
an act of this government, and by that
alone, or 1t could be acquired by con-
quest. This l understand to be an
American doctrine conspicuously an
nounced from time to time by the au-
thorities of your government"
He declares that the basis on which
the president founded his decision in
favor of the queen, that one of the
inducements held out to the queen to
get ner to retire was that the president
Of the Urited States would hear and de-
termIne her cause, was not well found
cd. The statement to that effect made
to her by Damon was not made by the
authority of the provisional government,
but on Damon's individual responsibili-
ty. Therefore the provisional govern
ment was not bound by it and could not
recognize the authority of arbitration
assumed by President Cleveland.
The fact is pointed out that the preei-
dent OF the United States recognized the
provisional government without qualifi-
cation. and received two of its accrsd-
tied ENJOYS successively. However,
granting all that President Cleveland
claims, it must be taken that the presi-
dent Of the United States had adjudi-
Gated and determined upon the queens