The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1895-02-01
ONE plseRAcEA AFTER ANOTHER.
Result of che Cleveland Policy In the
Hawaiian Affair.

HAWAIIAN AHalr
The royalist uprising and consequent
bloodshed in Hawaii furnishes another
proof of the infamy of the policy which
the democratic administration of the
United States has pursued concerning
the little island republic.
There can be no doubt that the roy
alists and their supporters were en-
couraged to attempt tie overthrow of
the republic by the treatment they had
received at the hands of President
Cleveland and Secretary Gresham since
the failure of the effort to restore the
deposed queen TO her throne. When
congress and the American people con-
demned the attempt to put the corrupt
Liliuokalani back in power il quickly
became apparent that the president
was determined to have nothing to do
with Hawaii unless he could do as he
pleased. Instead of giving protection
to American interests in Honolulu after
the formation of the republic, the only
naval vessel of the United States which
had been in the harbor of that city
was withdrawn, affording the promot-
ers of British interests full opportunity
to encourage the royalists to revolt.
As long ago as last April Admiral
Walker wrote to the navy department,
conveying the information that Amer
lean residents in Honolulu had objected
TO the removal of the cruiser Charles
ton. He also pointed out the fact that
the commander of the British ship in
the harbor was secretly encouraging the
royalists to revolt. The American YES
sci was withdrawn, nevertheless Later,
when the royalist commissioners came
TO Washington to see the president he
prepared q written statement in which
he informed them that the action Of
congress had made it clear that it was
the policy of the United States not TO
interfere in the affairs of Hawaii. That
amounted to a practical assurance that
If the royalists rebelled they would be
left to fight it out with the forces Of
the republic.
The news from Hawaii shows that
President Dole was able to cope with
the rebellion. which lasted five days.
and that peace has been restored. This
may be urged as a good reason why
there should have been no interference
on the part Of the United States. We
do not say that the United States should
have interfered. but we do maintain
that the predominating interests in Ha-
wall are American. and that those in
terests are entitled to the protection of
the United States government. There
is certainly no reason why they should
have been exposed to the dangers of
rebellion. when it was known that
such rebellion was coming. 1t would
not have been necessary for the United
States to make a DEMONSTRATION. The
mere presence of an American cruiser
in the harbor of Honolulu would have
prevented the uprising which has just
taken place and saved this government
from the disgrace of indirect partici-
patton in the affair.
But little is known yet concerning
the source from which the royalists re
ceived their arms and ammunitions,
but Mr.. Thurston, the Hawaiian min
lister at Washington. says ne believes
they came from British Columbia.
That is probably the case, and 1t will
doubtless be found that the supplies
were sent to the islands in British
vessel. Great Britain has favored the
depOsed queen on purely commercial
grounds, for it was apparent to British
traders that if the republic, with an ex-
American for president, could be main
tanned, the hold of the United States
upon the business of the islands would
be strengthened.
The democratic president and secre-
tary of state have taken sides with
Great Britain and against the United
States throughout the entire cOntro-
versy. At the beginning of the Ha-
waiian affair they disgraeed themselves
by their action. More recently they
have disgraced themselves by inaction.
Throughout, the Hawaiian policy of
the administration has been disgrace.
Cleveland Leader.