Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1894-03-15
PRECEDENT FOR THE ACT.
Secretary Herbert Tells Why H5 Turned the
Navy Over to Mr.. bi0unt.

Navy Over to Mr.. B0unt.
WASHINGTON, u. c., March lO.-Secre-
tary Herbert has made response to the
Boutelle resolution, adopted by the
House, calling on him to state his
authority for issuing instructions plac-
ing the armed naval forces of the
United States and the use of its ensign
under the orders and control of Special
Commissioner Blount at Honolulu
March II, 1898. The substance of
the answer is that the action was
necessary to prevent a conflict of au-
thority, and that the Secretary's au-
thority for issuing the order was the
President-tLe COMMUNICATIVE chief of
the United States army and navy. A
number of presidents for this action
are cited. The Secretary begins his
answer by quoting the instructions to
Admiral Skerritt and that part
of Mr.. Blount's credentials to
President Dole wherein his au-
thority is described as paramount
in all matters affecting relations
with Hawaii. Mr.. Blount's instructions
are also quoted, and the Secretary re-
calls the fact that when the order to
Admiral Skerritt was issued the United
States forces had landed in Hawaii and
the United States flag had been raised
over the public buildings in Honolulu
Secretary Herbert says:
Under these circumstances, and in view
of the remoteness of the Hawaii Islands
from Geographic communication, 1t was es-
sential not'only that no conflict OF authori-
ty should arise with reference to the dlspo-
sition of the United States naval forces at
Hawaii but that such forces should be en-
ployed in entire harmony with and IN
support Of the policy Of the diplomatic
branch of the government. For these
reasons, and in order that the special
commissioner appointed by the President
might, in the discharge of the Important
duties intrusted to him, be aided by the
fullest cooperation on the part of the naval
branch of the government, 1t was deemed
proper to direct that Rear Admiral Skerritt
should consult freely with Mr.. Blount and
should carry out any instructions gwen
him in regard to the course to be pursued
by the United States naval forces at the
Hawaiian Islands.
| deem it to be at all times the duty Of
the naval forces Of the United States in
matters affecting our foreign relations, to
act in sIlbordinatlon to and i'll the fullest
CO-OpcIdtlCl Will tllC pcllCy VI tilS Wv IL
branch of the government and not to take
the initiative in such matters unless in ac-
cordance with the letter and spirit OF such
general or special orders rs may be issued
TO them by the secretary OF the. navy or
when required to do so Ill cases
of special exigency by circumstances OF such 5
gravity and urgency as to admit OF no de-
lay. If the observance Of this general pGln-
ciple is incumbent on the naval forces OF the
United States in the relations with our
diplomatic represen tatives i'll foreign coun-
tries under ordinary circumstances, it be-
comes particularly important upon occa-
sions when a direct representative OF the
President charged with duties of COM
prchensive delicate and confidential char
acter, is sent abroad.
Believing that the action taken by the de-
partment by its order of March IL, 1893, was
not only proper and necessary in order to
preclude the possibility of any misunder-
standing or conflict of authority which
might have ensued in serious embarrassment
OF American interests and further, that such
action was in harmony with established
precedent, | have to state in response to the
direct inquiry contained in the resolution OF
the House as to my authority for issuing
the order i'll question, that said order was
issued bv authority of the President, who
by constitutional provision is made COM
mander-in-chic OF the army and navy OF
the United States.
lnen the SecIotdfy gives uuHloe1 "
precedents for his action, beginning IN
1923 and running down to 1881. In 1873
the United States ship Enterprise was
sent to Porto Rico and the commander
was "to regulate his operations by the
advise Of Thomas Randall, agent of
the government During the Mexican
war, Nicholas Trest, an agent of the
State Department, was clothed with the
power to arrange for mutual suspen-
sion Of hostilities, and Commodore
Perry was instructed not to relax
the vigor of his operations while
he (Trest) remained in Mexico, ''un--
less he directs you to suspend
them" This order was complied with.
In 1869 Gen. Babcock went on board
the United States ship Albany to San
Domingo and the commander was d.
rected to conform to all Gen. Babcock's
wishes ard orders. In 1870 Lieut.
Commander Bunce had similar orders.
In 1881, during the ChiliPeru war, Rear
Admiral Balch was directed to be gov
erned as far as possible by the wishes Of
William Henry Trescott, of the Depart
ment Of State, special envoy e2traor~
binary and minister plenipotentlary.