The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1894-03-09

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or abridge his right to call for troops
TO protect citizens OF the United
States. The committee, therefore
find no cause for censure either against
Minister Stevens or Captain Wiltse in
the subsequent raising of the Ameri-
can flag on the Government building.
The declaration of a United States
protectorate was void for want OF
power, and disavowed by Secretary
Foster and rebuked by Gresham, who
ordered the protectorate abandoned
and the flag hauled down to preserve
the national honor of this country"
The report makes the point that 1--WE
have always exerted the privilege of
| interference in Hawaii to an extent
not justified in the affairs of other
countries"
The matter of annexation is discus
sed at length, and while the whole
tenor is favorable to annexation, no
\ direct statement to that effect is made.
1t says: Annexation has been a
| subject of almost constant contempla-
ton among Hawaiians since the
beginning of the reign of Kameha-
meha l. In diplomatic correspon-
dence frequent and favorable
| allusion has been made to
the subject. The testimony taken by
| the committee discloses the opinion
of several of our most eminent naval
and military officers that annexation
is indispensable to the proper defense
| and protection of our Western coast
cities" The committee says it is one
deserving of thorough investigation
and correct, friendly decision. The
recognition of the Provisional Govern
ment was lawful and contributed to
peace.
The report then takes up the APP
p0intment of Blount and his investi
CATION, and says he presented "a
sincere, instructive report, but that
the agitated state of opinion aud feel
lug in Hawaii at the time made it
| next to impossible to obtain full,
fair and free declaration of facts; that
the evidence taken by the committee,
under more favourable circumstances,
| established that the fact the revolution
originated with Liliuokalani, who eX-
pected, through opium and lottery
bills, to secure funds to carry out her
purpose"
The report uphOlds the right of the
President tOappoint BlOunt and del e.
gate TO him paramount authority, and
says; The President would not have
been justified in using force to restore
| the Queen, and did not contemplate
such action therefore his tender of
good offices for the settlement of
differences was strictly within his &C.
cepted right.
The fact that the Provisional Gov
eminent was formed to exist, till an
neXation to the United States justi-
fled interference for its protection,
which would not have been tolerated
under other circumstances; therefore,
the Provisional Government, having
thrown itself into the arms of the
United States, cannot justly complain
that the United States should scrutin-
ize all pretensions of right thus TO
dispose of the entire country and
people. Moreover, the Queen herself
abdicated Professionally, awaiting the
decision of the United States as to her
rights. Under these conditions "the
President of the United States, be-
lieving the information then in pos
session of the Government not suffi-
cient to justify summary annexation,
could not have done justice to himself,
to his country, to the people of Ha-
wall, to the Provisional Government
or to Liliuokalani without having
made an effort to use his good offices
to ascertain whether it was practical
BILE for the Queen to be restored to
authority"
The report says that if the Provis-
ional Government had agreed to
restoration the United States would
not have been in any sense responsible
for the restoration; would not have
espoused monarchy nor have contra
vened American sentiment or policy;
they would merely have been mutual
friends in the solution of the question.
Therefore, the committee conclude |
"the President of the United States |
has not in this particular in any wise |
been a party to any irregularity or |
improperly of conduct in his high |
office.n
The committee finds nothing worthy |
of criticism in negotiating treaty of |
with the Provisional Gov
eminent of Hawaii, as the Provisional
Government is perfectly competent to
make such a treaty. The COM
mittee finds the treaty not ne
gotiated too hastily, as charged.
because both parties desiring it,
a speedy conclusion was desirable in
the interest of good government.
the danger of the islands
falling into the hands of a European
power made prompt action necessary.
The report finds Stevens earnest
advocacy of annexation not open to
criticism, it being in line with Marcy
and nearly all his successors as Seer
tary of State, and with many of
Stevens predecessors in Hawaii. 1t
declares "his dealings with the Ha-
waiian Government were character
lied by becoming dignity and reserve,
and were not in any way harsh or
offensive. The only substantial irreg-
llarity in the conduct of any officer of
the United States was the declaration
Of a proteetorate by Stevens, though
40 actual harm resulted from his acts,
md are merely required to be disa-
vowed as a precedent"
The Republican members, in their
report, express accord
With the essential findings of the
main ranort but declare RIOuntis |