Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1894-03-01

Washington, Feb. 26.-Mr. Morgan,
chairman of the senate committee on
foreign relations, today presented the
report of the investigation by that com
mittee made under the resolution re
quiring it to report whether any, and
if so what, irregularities have occurred
in diplomatic or other intercourse be
tween the United States and Hawaii
III relation TO the recent political reyo-
luton in Hawaii" The report was
prepared by Morgan and concurred in
by Frye, Dolph and Davis, the repub-
ican members of the committee, who
make also a supplemental report. But
Ter, Turpie, Daniel and Gray, demo
Gratis submit minority report. These
reports, together with the mass of evil
dence taken by the committee, are
very VolumniOuS. Morgan begins with
the proposition that this government
dealing with any form Of government
in Hawaii can have no break in its
line of policy corresponding to a
change in the office of president 1t is
as if under the same president the en-
tire period. The president, however,
has a right to change his opinion and
policy, but it must be regarded as a
change of opinion in the same person.
The report then declares against mon
archiSm in the islands, saying we eXer-
else at least Il moral power over Hawaii
which, it says, lis an American state
embraced in the American commercial
- - 10,
dulgent consideration if not active sym
pathy in endeaVOrS TO release her peo-
pie from an OdiOus, anti republican
regime and SubordinateS her people to
the supposed divine right of a monarch
whose title to such divinity originated
in The most Slayish conditions of pagan
barbarity." The report approves Min
lister Stevens order landing troops from
the Boston on the gound that condi-
lions existed which led naturally to an
apprehension of civil cOmmotiOn en-
dangering the security of American
citizens, and points out three or four
previous occasions on which similar
action was taken. This condition, the
report says, grew out Of the effort of
ton, and that her act amounted to an
act of addiction, and neutraiized her
power to protect American citizens.
The report says: ut is evident 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, no
power to conduct a civil government.
In other words, interregnum existed.
The queen only held the throne under
her oath and constitution, and when
she declared herself abSolved there
from it was an actual act of addiction
Furthermore, she had been OverthrOWn
10y the white people of the islands be-
fore the troops from the Boston landed.
The Hawaiian monarchy had periShed.'
In view of this the report lays down
the proposition: In a country where
there is no power of law to protect citi-
zens of the United States there can be
no law of nations nor any rule Of com
lty that can rightfufly prevent our flag
from giving shelter to them under pro-
lection of our arms; this without refer
ence to any distress it may give the
queen who generated confusion, or any
advantage it might give the people dis
putting her right to resume her legal
powers.
The report declares the purpose of
Minister Stevens and Capt. Witt legiti-
mate and that they acted in good
faith with no interests except pro
teGting American citizens and pre-
serving order" The report speaks of
the work of American missionaries
building up a constitutional govern
nent in that country, and says it en-
titles the people of the United States
tc Sympathize and assist in resisting
its destruction. The queens desire to
Danish or kill her opponents should
cause America not to hesitate to sup
port the government opposed to her.
The report then says, President Cleve-
land, as soon as he learned of the dis
position of the queen, abandoned fur
Their exercise Of attempts at reconcil-
uation, though unfortunately Willis,
IN the belief that he was following in
StrGctons, held two of three interviews
with the queen thereafter.
Stevens recognition of the new gov
eminent is justified. The report says:
1T was his duty at the safest possible
period to asst by recognition the ter
animation Of the interrugnum, for the
safety of citizens of the United States y
The report says the question of an
neXatiCn and Stevens anxious advO-
cacy thereof did not relieve him from
his duty or abridge his right to call
for troops to protect citizens of the
United States
The matter of the annexation it dis
cuSSed at length, and while the whole
tenor is favorable to annexation. no ili-
rect statement to that effect is made
1t says annexation has been a subject
of almost constant contemplation
among Hawaiian since the beginning
of the reign of Kshmehameha l. II
diplomatic correspondence frequent
and favorable alllsiOn is made to the
subject. Testimony taken by the com
mittee discloSes the opinion of Severa
of our most eminent naval and military
officers that annexation is indeSpens
able to the proper defense and pro
lection of our western coast cities.
The report takes up the appointment
of Blount and his investigation. l
says he presented a sincere inStruc
tive report but that the agitated stat
of affairs led to inaccuracies: that tn