The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1894-09-27

Last week we gave brief sketch of
the Hawaiian islands, referring also
to the annexation of Necker Island,
so much coveted by both Great Brit
ain and America, says an editorial in
the Clutha, New Zealand, Leader.
We now purpose giving some partic-
establishment of the Republic of Ha-
wall. 1t will be remembered that q
few years ago the late King of Hawaii
left on a visit to America and died at
San Francisco. He was succeeded by
Queen Liliuokalani and then the
trouble commenced. The queen was
found to be dissolute, treacherous
woman. She allied herself with set
of political adventures whose great
aim was to overthrow the constitute On
and set up a despotism an its stead.
Every forbearance was shown to the
queen and every effort made to induce
her to respect her oath and to adhere
to the then existing form of Govern
ent that this was beyond hope and
that unless every interest, both public
and private, in the nation were to be
subjugated to a semi-barbarous des-
potism, it was necessary that radical
change should be effected-such a
change as would deprive the queen of
all power in the nation. A meeting
of the Inhabitants was held in Janu-
airy, 1898, to consider the situation,
the result being that Queen Liliuoka-
lani was peaceably dethroned, not a
drop of blood being shed or a blow
struck, and Provisional Government
was established in place OF the former
regime. AS is usual in such emergen-
cies a man was forthcoming to take
the helm of the new State ship. This
was Mr.. S. b. Dole, a judge of the
Supreme Court who resigned office
and was chosen President of the Pro-
Visional Government. Under his able
and wise guidance the Government
performed its functions for eighteen
months with very marked success and
to the satisfaction of ali save the few
disaffected royalists. 1t was recog-
nized as a Government by America
and all the Great Powers. The ulti-
mate aim was annexation to Amer
lea. President Harrison was ap-
preached on the subject and he
negotiated a treaty with the Provis-
ional Government and submitted the
treaty to the American Senate, but
before there was an opportunity for
ratifying the treaty an election for
replaced Harrison and adopted diff
ferent policy with reference to Ha-
| wall. The eX-queen represented to
him that her deposition had been
accomplished by the aid of the Amer
| lean marines, who however, had only
been sent ashore at Honolulu in order
| to protect the lives and property of
the Americans and they took no
action whatever in connection with
the deposition Of the queen. Now, it
is undoubtedly true that President
Cleveland had the right to recall the
treaty from the Senate and to refuse
to ratify it; but he bad accredited a
Minister to the Provisional Govern
ment, authorized to treat with it as a
lawfully existing power and conse-
quently he could only Overturn
that Government by lawful war. But
the President is not vested with the
power Of declaring war; only Con-
gress can do this. President CIeve-
land asked the Provisional Govern
ment of Hawaii to retire and allow
the queen to assume the throne. This
request was backed up by the pres
ence of an American war vessel in
Honolulu harbor. Little did the Pre-
sident realize the brave and stern
character of the men he had to deal
with. Their answer was brief, prompt
and emphatic; it simply YVES mo-
They declined to comply with the re-
quest and in view OF any persuasive
demonstration being attempted by
the man of war, they called out their
forces, run up Notifications, pointed
their guns to the man Of war, manned
and charged them and watched for
the discharge of the first shot. II
was an anxious isis not only for the
Government bu. .Or the whole inhab-
itants who momentarily expected the
bombardment to open. The crisis
passed however; the first shot was
never fired.
1t may be mentioned that on de-
Gliding to reverse President Harrison's
policy and reinstate the queen, Cleve-
land suggested to that estimable lady
the prOpriety of granting a free par
d on 10 ali who had taken part against
her. This reused the indignation of
Liliuobalani, who promptly replied
to the effect that she would do moth
ing of the sort, but on the contrary
would behead every one of them.
The dispatches of Cleveland's special
commissioner to Hawaii and fhe