Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1895-01-26
HAWAIIAN AFFAIRS.


President Cleveland Freely Discusses flie
Situation Why the Philadelphia Hrs
Sent Out-IIcr Commander to Take no
Part In any Revolutionary Uprising, suf
to Act Only for the Protection OF Uncom-
promised American Citizens.
WASHINGTON, Jan. sl.-Presi1cnt
Cleveland made the following staif-
ment last evening, with respect .of tie
Hawaiian question, which he seemed
entirely willing to discuss:
mo information has been received
which indicates that anything win
happen in Hawaii making the presencs
OF one OF our naval vessels necessary,
unless we are prepared to enter upon
policy and course of conduct
violative of every rule of inter-
national law and utterly unjustif-
able. All who take any interest
in the question should keep in view
the fact that Hawaii is entirely mdc-
pendent of us and, that in it's relations
to us it is foreign country. A ship
has been sent to Honolulu, not because
there has been any change in the pul-
icy of the administration and not o.
cause there seems to he any immine |.
necessity for its presence thelIF'
The vessel has been sent in pre-
else accordance with the policy of
the administration in every case of the
lind and from motives OF extreme
caution, and because there is q posi-
biity that disturbances may be r"-
newed which might result in danger to
the persons Or property of American
citizens entitled to the protection of
the United States. This course was at
once determined upon as soon as in
formation reached the government Of
the recent revolt.
$50 far from having the slightest OBJ
lection to making public the intruc-
tions which were given to the COM
mander of the Philadelphia and the
dispatch he will carry to Mr.. Willis,
our minister in Hawaii, am glad to
put them before my fellow citizens.
Here they are:
"WAsHNGToN, Jan. 10, 1895.
REAR ADMIRAL REARDsLEE, FLAGSHIP
PHILADELPHIA, SAY Francisco, CAL:
Proceed with the United States ship
Philadelphia with dispatch to Homo
lulu, II. l. Your purpose as the United
States senior naval officer, there
will be the protection of the
lives and property of American
citizens. In case of civil war
in the islands, extend no aid or sup
port, moral or physical, to any of the
parties engaged therein, but keep
steadily in view your duty to protect
the lives and property of all such
citizens of the United States as
shall not, by their participation
in such civil connections, forfeit their
rights in that regard to the protection
of the American flag. An American
citizen, who, during revolution in 4
foreign country, participates in any
attempts by force of arms or violence
to maintain or overthrow the existing
government, cannot claim that the
government of the United States shall
protect him against the consequences
of such act.
Show these instructions to, and con-
suit freely with, the United States
minister at Honolulu, upon all points
that may arise, seeking his opinion and
advice whenever practicable upon
the actual employment of the
forces under your command,
bearing in mind that the diplo-
matte and political interests of the
United States are in his charge. Afford
him such aid in all emergencies as may
be necessary. Attention is called to
Article 2s7 of the United States navy
regulations as amended Acknowledge
by telegram.
(Signed) HERBERT..
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10, 1895.
TO WILLIS, MINISTER, HoNoLuLU:--
Although your telegram reporting up
rising of January does not Indicate
that you regard the presence of war
ships necessary. the president deems
it advisable that one proceed inn
mediately to Honolulu Cor the pro-
lection of American citizens and
property, should contingency arise
requiring it. You, as our sole diplo-
matte representative, will confer with
the commanding officer as to the as
sistance which his instructions con-
template in case of need.
[Signed. GRESHAM"
Secretaries Gresham and Herbert
were in conference with President
Cleveland for several hours at the
White House last night, presumably
discussing Hawaiian affairs. The cab
met officers said they had received no
additional news to that already COM
municated to the public through the
,rcss.