Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1894-03-01
THREE REPORTS.
The Hawaiian Affair in the SEN
ate.
Senator MOrgan's Report Signed by the
Republicans of the Foreign Com
nIttee The Democrats Dis
sent-StilI Another.
All Make REPORTS.


WASHINGTON. Feb. Ex-senator Nor
gan, chairman of the senate committee
on foreign relations, has presented to
the senate the majority report on the
investigation of that committee into
the Hawaiian complications. 1t was
prepared by Mr.. Morgan and concurred
in by Messrs. Sherman, Frye, Dolph,
and Davis. the republican members of
the committee, who also make sup
Elementary report, taking more posi-
tive grounds than the Morgan report,
while Messrs. Butler, Turpie, Daniel
and Gray (democrats) submit minor
ity report.
Mr.. Morgan first gives a review of
the investigation, declares that the
president has perfect right to act as
he did and the change of policy must
be held to be a change of mind of the
responsible head of the government
He holds that this country exercises a
moral suzerainty over Hawaii which
must be entitled to demand of the
United States indulgent consideration
if not active sympathy. in her efforts
to secure full release from an odious
monarchy.
Mr.. Morgan holds that the investiGa-
tion showed that when Minister Stevens
ordered the landing of the Boston, S
marines there was Il complete paralysis
of the executive government IN Hawaii
and there was reason to fear that Amer
leans and other foreigners might be
put in peril at any moment The
queen, he believes, has, by her act in
deciding to absolve herself from the
constitution of 1887, a dicated com
pletely, if the people chose to so regard
"a IL >
oath to support it being the only
foundation for her regal authority
She had been kept on her throne only
by the forbearance of the whites, who
own $50. 900. 200 worth of the property
of the islands.
The report. holds in part that where
there is. no legal power to protect
United. States citizens no law of ma
tions and no rule of country can right
fully prevent the American flag from
giving shelter Under armed protection,
and thus the landing of the Boston's
troops was perfectly justifiable. 1t de-
clares that thee purposes of Minister
Stevens and Capt. Wiltse were legiti-
mate and in good faith, despite state
ments to the contrary.
The republican members. after agree
ing to Mr.. Morgan's' report, submitted
minority report as supplemental aud
more fully expressive of their views.
This holds that the appointme Mt
of Mr. Blount without reference
to the senate was Unconstitutional;
that the placing of the Gnited' States
naval forces at Honolulu under the
control of Mr.. Blount and later of Mr.
Willis was without authority of
law; that Mr.. Blounti had no right
to order otRe lowering of the United
States flag over the Hawaiian govern
Inent building and~the withdrawal oi
the troops, because they were there
o not for protectorate, but to maintain
order and protect Americans, and the
withdrawal created distrust; that the
president had no authority to reopen
determined questions as to the status
of the provisional government and mon
archy; that the Hawaiian government,
recognized byO this and other nations,
had not{ asked for or consented to the
presidents mediation nor had it been
requested to consent; and. that there
was no question of the purpose of the
president to endeavor to reinstate the
eX-queen by constitutional methods. .
The democratic minority dissents
strongly from that portion of Mr.. Nor
IL repork Whtch noldS that the only
substantial irregularity in the conduct
of Mr.. Stevens was declaration of a
-protectorate. They hold that there
was no justification for interference in
Hawaii any more than in any othel
state or nation.
Messrs Butler and0 Turpie present q
brief report in favor of annexation o.
Hawaii under proper conditions, though
not under those existing at present