The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1894-03-02
THREE REPORTS.
The Senate Committee on the Ha-
waiian Complications.
A REVIEW OF The INVESTIGATION.
The Republican Members Take More Pos
itive Ground Than Morgan-Mr.
Blount Commended for
His Action.

Blount Commended for
His Action.
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 a sup
Elementary report, taking more posi-
tive grounds than the Morgan report,
while Messrs. Butler, Turpie, Daniel
and Gray (democrats) submit minor
ity report
MIR. Morgan first gives 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
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 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 1881, abdicated COM
| pletely, if the people chose to so regard
! it, that constitution and the queens
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, 600, 900 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
I giving shelter under armed protection,
and thus the landing of the Boston's
troops was perfectly justifia BILE. 1t de-
clares that the 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
a minority report as supplemental and
more fully expressive of their views.
This holds that the appointment
of Mr.. Blount without reference
to the senate was unconstitutional;
that the placing of the United States
naval forces at Honolulu under the
control of Mr.. BlOunt and later of Mr.
Willis was without authority of
law; that Mr.. Blount had no right
to order the lowering of the United
States flag over the Hawaiian govern
ment building and the withdrawal of
the troops, because they were there
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 by 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
gan's report which holds 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 other
state or nation.
Messrs Butler and Turpie present a
brief report in favor of annexation of
Hawaii under proper conditions,
though not under those existing at
present
Mr.. Stevens explained that his reasons
for declaring protectorate were that
the japanese and the British were both
scheming and the latter making over
lures for an alliance with the native
population.
Mr.. Blount in his evidence said he
never had any communication with the
deposed queen until DIR. Bowen and Mr..
Lowell appeared there and were re-
ported to be authorized by the president
to negotiate for her abdication. He
thought the queen as well as President
Dole ought to be informed that this
was not true. He had never dreamed
of such thing as the reinstatement OF
Liliuokalani and never heard it sug-
gested until his return to the United
States.