The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1896-07-24
oLEvELAND's SECOND ADMIN
I5TRAEIoN.
A Famous Writers Views on Annex
alton and Historical Facts.

alton and Historical Facts.
The question of the proposed
annexation of Hawaii which met
the President at the very threshold
OF his Administration was one OF
the most momentous issues which
ever arose in our foreign relations,
or indeed in our whole history.
Without going into the details of
that long controversy, the facts
about which there is no dispute are
that the Hawaiian revolution Of
January, 1893, the deposition OF
Liliuokalani, and her forced sub
mission were encouraged and made
possible by the conduct Of the
United States Minister Stevens Be-.
fore blow had been struck or a
shot fired company OF marines was
landed from the United States man
ot-war Boston, ostensibly for the
purpose of protecting the persons
aud property Of American citizens,
though they were marched away
from the resident and business
quarter and stationed in position
to command the palace and the
government buildings, nearly two
miles from the persons and property
which they we're supposed to be
guarding. Under protest, and de.
claring that she "yielded to the
superior force Of the United States
Government" the queen resigned,
aud Mr.. Stevens made a proclama
ton declaring the establishment Of
a provisional government" pending
negotiations with the United States,
and Immediately sent off a despatch
with the triumphant announcement,
1.-THE Hawaiian pear is now fully
ripe, and this is the golden hour for
the Uaited States to pluck it," The
whole thing was an affair of two or
three days. The COMMITTEE Of
Safety" as the revolutionists first
called themselves, was organized on
Saturday, January 14th. On Monday,
the 16tb, the United States marines
landed; on the 18th the provisional
government was recognized by our
minister; and on the 10Th the com
missioners sailed for this country 10
negotiate a treaty. They reached
Washington on February 3, had an
interview at the State Department
on the following day; on the 18th
the annexation scheme was agreed
to and submitted to the Senate for
ratification on the 18TH The matter
was fortunately delayed over the 4th
OF March. On the 9th the new
President promptly recalled the
treaty, and soon after sent Mr..
Blount, of Georgia, formerly head
OF the House Committee on Foreign
Affairs, as Special Commissioner to
Hawaii to examine and report upon
the facts. Armed with full authority,
but cautioned against any inter.
ference with the rights OF the Hawai-
ians to settle their own affairs,
Commissioners Blount reached the
islands on March 80. Two days
later he hauled down the United
States flag, ended the "protectorate,"
aud ordered the marines back to
their ship.
On October Is, Secretary Gresham
recommended that the treaty be not
submitted, set forth the facts, and
drew from them the unavoidable
conclusion that the provisional gov
eminent had been established by the
act Of the American minister and
the uncalled-for intervention Of our
troops. Upto this point he reason
Jag and conduct of the Administra.
ton had been in the highest degree
dignifed magnanimous, and strictly
in accordance with the uniform
policy of our Government and the
most advanced principles of interna-
tional law. But the next step was a
blunder Acting upon the assump.
ton that the continued existence Of