The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1896-12-10
(Continued from 1st page)

in like circumst ances the rule seems
to be to limit the landing and move
ment Of the United States forces in
foreign waters and dominion ex-
clusively to the protection OF the
United States Legation and OF the
lives and property OF American citi
zens. But as the relations of the
United States to Hawaii are excep-
tional, and as in former years the
United States officials here took
somewhat exceptional action in cir
cumstances OF disorder, / desire to
know how far the present Minister
and naval commander may deviate
from established international rules
and presidents in the contingencies
indicated in the first part of this
dispatch.
IL have information which deem
reliable that there is an organized
revolutionary party on the islands,
composed largely of native Hawai-
ians and considerable number of
whites and half-whites, led chiefly
by individuals OF the latter two
classes. This party is hostile to the
Queen and to her chief confdants
especially opposed to the coming to
the throne of the half-English heir
apparent,now being educated in Eng
land, and means to gain lis object
either by force, the Queen to select
her Cabinet from its own members,
or else to overthrow the monarchy
and establish republic with the
ultimate view of annexation to the
United States of the whole islands.
A portion of this party mean only
the former, and the other portion
intend the latter. Failing to ac-
complish the former, the most of
the party would seek the latter alter
native. l have little doubt the re-
evolutionary attempt would have
been made ere this but for the pres
ence here of the United States ship
of war. 1 still incline to the opin-
ion that the revolutionary attempt
will not be made so long as
there is a United States force
in the harbor Of Honolulu, but
it would be rash to assume or
assert this positively. Therefore, l
deem it my official duty to ask for
instructions in view of possible con-
tingencies.
81 may add that the annexation
sentiment is increasing quite as
much among the white residents
and native Hawaiians, and other
workingmen, who own no sugar
stock, as with the sugar planters.
81 am, sir, ETC.,
"JoHN L. STEVENS"
Now, Mr.. Speaker, 1t is perfectly
apparent from this letter that Mr..
Stevens was fully aware of the fact
a revolution was being Matched. 1t
is further apparent that he was in
the confidence Of the conspirators,
for the very contingency he is try
ing for did happen, and in the very
manner outlined by him in this note.
He wants instructions. He already
has instructions, which in effect had
been given to every American Minis
ter for more than hundred years
Revolutions and counter revolutions
had time and again taken place in
other countries where we had min
listers resident, and they had no diff
Guilty in giving them similar instruc.
tions, that Interpretation perfectly
consistent with the policy adopted
by Washington, Jefferson, Monroe
and others who had aided in laying
the foundation OF a distinctive Am
erican policy, foreign and domestic
policy which had given us world
wide honor. He asks, cor should
the United States Minister and nava
commander confne themselves ex
clusively to the preservation OF Am
erican property, the protection O.
American citizens, and the proven
ton Of anarchy?"