New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-28
WHY THE FLAG WAS RAISED
MINISTER STEVENS'S AND CAPT. WILTsE'S
REASONS FOR THEIR ACTION.


nag over the Hawaiian Government building in
Honolulu, February !. lS93 with the approval Of
, Minister Stevens and Captain Wiltse there are
very erroneous opinions based more or less on In
correct information as to facts 1t now becomes my
duty, in justice to my own reputation. we'll "a
in vindicatlOn Of the character and memory OF
Captain Wiltse. res; in his honored grave,
after forty years % faithful service to his country
TO make 4 full statement of the reasons for our
action. il IN the maGt entire accord. after a
mutual and thorough investigation OF the con-
dition OF affars In Hawaii, that the American Min
lister and naval commander arrived o. the concu-
sion that II was their imperative duty to protect
American life and properly. aid in tAe preserva-
ton OF public order to defend the sovereign rights
and general welfare OF Hawaii against threatening
foreign elements inmica to the prestige and treaty
rights of the United States The Official records In
Honolulu and In Washington amply sustain the
assertion and implications Of Secretary Bayard's
dispatch Of July T. 1851. and OF the very able
port Of Senator Morgan, chairman Of the Senate
Committee OF Foreign Relations. that the United
States for years has exercised kind Of suzeranty
or protcctorate over the Hawaiian Islands The
presence and attitude Of naval vessels for many
years in the harbor Of Honolulu plainly imply this.
DONE At THE RICHEST or THE GOVERNMENT.
What compelled the American Minister and cap
tain Wrtsc. on the Slst Of January. to decide 20
raise the United States fag? First. the Provisional
Government. the only sembance Of government
then existing In the Islands. formally requested II
as the most effective means OF preserving life and
property and maintaining public order In the
afternoon Of January u the Hawaiian monarchy
utterly collapsed In a revolut Nary attempt OF
the reiening sovereign TO overthrow the constitu-
ton and 10 subvert the laws and institutions
which life property and civilized liberty depended.
For the three following days there an absolute
interregnum and a complete absence Of legal ex-
ccutivc authority. out Of the then existing state
Of things the Provisional Government had sprung
into existence. which was promptly recognized by
all the foreign representatives residing at Homo
lulu. But 1t was morally impossible for the Pro-
visonal Government TO create an efficient police.
organize and discipline the necessary military force
and recreatc the whole machinery Of government
throughout the extensive ana separate Islands or
the group In two weeks.
The Provisional Government became Immediately
strong enough. So far as the legal citizens OF
Hawaii were concerned. But nearly half OF the
population OF the islands temporary foreign
residents who had heretofore taken part in
political affairs. Among the japanese. numbering
nearly 900. a burning question had arisen. They
were agitating for the right OF suffrage. The Jap
anose representative in virtue of his diplomatic
authority had begun 10 urge his demand before the
monarchy fell. He renewed II with increased
energy soon after the Provisional Government was
established. II was said and extensively believed
that many Of the japanese. having previously
tive in restoring the monarchy. stimulated 70 90 50
10y the hope and promise Of receiving the right OF
suffrage. which 1t was believed Luluokalani and
her supporters Of the lottery and opium rings would
readily promise. I.umors ~ intended outbreak re-
sulting from a combination Of the white advent
urcrs and the lower native Hawaiian element under
their control acting in coop ration with the Jap
anese ex-soldiers. gained possession 81 The public
ear. Uncertainty. fear and panic We're greatly dis
turbing the families of the peaceful citizens
In view Of various exciting and critical periods
and Incidents running over five preceding years.
It was not strarge that this excited stat. Of the
public mind should exist. The naval force OF the
Boston VAS the only outside aid then 1T Honolulu
which the Provisional Government could ask 10
come to its ad. n a temporary eNpcdiert 10 meet
temporary necessity The Provisional Government
requested the raising o. tho flag OF the United
States a partial protertorat". tho l1nguage used
and the intent o. that language when agreed upon
and written. not az all Implying what. IN the Euro
pcan or technical sense. is understood rs protcc-
torate. The American Minister asseutel 70 this 10
guard against existing dangers, and o. maintain the
status quo until new alvccs could be- received from
Washington. The following IL IN" document read
and published when thr flag was raised February !:
THE MINISTRIES PROCLAMATION.
at the request Of the Provisional Government
OF the island / hereby. in the name o. the United
States OF America assume protection Of the la
waan Islands for the protection Of life and prop
erty hld occupation OF the public building and
Hawaiian soil. far as may De necessary for the
purpose specified but not Interfering with the al
ministratlon OF public affairs by the Provisional
Government. This action is taken pending and sub
jet to negotiations at Washington.
JOHN l.. STEVENS.
Envoy Extraordinary ana Minister Penipotentiary
OF the United States"
As this document was published mainly for the
Hawaiian public to put an end t. an Increasing
manic. deemed hitting IL III lrf
possible. ON the day the nag was raised the mall |
steamer was to leave at u IN. for the United States
had time TO write the Department OF state but
a brief and imperfect account 81 the causes and
reasons for raising the flag. and the mutual under
standing Of the Provisional Government and the
United States Minister as to how far United States
protection should go. Most painfully | am com
PEELED state why wrote so hastily and |
Wiltse and myself had accedcd to the request to |
raise the hag for tho reasons specified came the |
peIished by drowning ana IN thirty minutes more |
her remains were brought 10 our home. Amid !
brought 10 INV VIII. and surviving daughter with |
an agony which only Col and those who have cX- |
10 Secretary Foster brief and incomplete so far
as giving fun and circumstanlal account Of the
the American public II impossible and not al
lowabe for me- to give explanations.
1t has been said that Secretary Foster who had |
patch Of Frbrlarv H. ISe3 censurdd me for raisng
the flag and protecting the Hawaiian Government
he facts testify Not HAVING been fulv informed |
Of the mutual understanding Of the Provisional |
Government and myself 10 how far American |
protection should -, and pcrccying that my brief |
PROCLAMATION was liable to be misunderstood. and |
was being misunderstood by portion OF the |
American public. Secretary Foster wrote clab-
Drate dispatch defining how far the American Min |
ster at Honolulu would be- allowed 20 go and what |
were his limitations. Sufficient to say what he |
stated that could do, his Language expresses |
precisely what was done. and exactly that which |
President Dole and myself intended by the action |
taken Minister Stevcns's action must be judged |
by what he did do. and not by what some persons |
say his words might allow him to do The follow |
ing is the language of Secretary Foster:
80 far, therefore. your action amounts to ac-
,ording at tie request OF the de factO sovereign |
Government Of the Hawaiian Islands. the coopcra-
ion of the moral and material forces of the United
States the protection of life and property from
lpprehcndcd disorders, your action com
nendcd
You arc accordingly authorized, upon receipt Of
hese instructions, 10 arrange with the command