Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1896-02-12
Continuous Policy Of Persecution.

President Cleveland's attitude toward
Hawaii at a crucial time was such, and
was so thoroughly exposed, that it must
color future estimates of the character of
| the man. 1t smirched the credit due him
for his attitude on the Venezuelan affair
and 1t precludes any estimate of him as
broad minded statesman.
Nor does it appear that Mr.. Cleveland
would naturally be expected Of a narrow,
bigotcd person, who thwarted in his pur-
pose, resorts to malice and treachery,
giving himself up to spirit of persccu-
| ton and revenge. This opinion was
| borne out by the treatment accorded
Minister Thurston, whose recall was de-
manded and it is emphasized by a recent
| report from Hawaii. This latter report
| has not been substantiated and there are
grounds for believing that some of the
| features of it have been exaggerated. 1t
| is to the effect that Minister Willis re
fused to participate in the celebration OF
the national holiday of the provisional
government of Hawaii, on Jan. II. The
report states that he gave his reasons for
not participating, together with the in
to his government. These reasons in
brief are reported to be that as President
| Cleveland withdrew the protectorate
established by Minister Stevens, ordering
the American flag pulled down by Com
missioner Blount, and in view OF the
| American Presidents announced opposi-
| ton to the PROFESSIONALS who came into
power, he claims, solely through the con
nivancs of Minister Stevens and the
cruiser Boston's marines, and in view
| further of President Clevelaud's desire to
reinstate Liiuokalani, be willis, as the
representative of President Cleveland,
could not take official cognizance of the
national holiday.
1t is difficult to believe this report Or to
appreciate any possible motive than
|
pursuing such course. But everyone
who has followed the course of events
since Paramount Blount was sent as the
private detective of Grover Cleveland to
work up report hostile to annexation
and since Minister Willis arrived at the
islands with an olive branch in one hand
for Growers great and good friend, - Mr.
Dole, and dagger up his sleeve for the
government to which he had been sent,
must have seen that nothing but the
bltterest hatred is felt in administration
circles for the little government that has
successfully survived their assaults and
secret Vaccinations.
There is ample evidence to prove all
this And Of this the recent statement
made to Kate Field by Lorrln A. Thurs.
ton, the recalled Hawaiian minister, is of
more than passing interest as it exposes
the virulent hostility of the administra-
ton toward Hawaii That the admins
tration was determined from the begin
ming that Minister Thurston should be
persona non grata and that he was not
, treated even with diplomatic courtesy.
there is no longer reason to doubt If he
committed any indiscretion in telling the
truth SO that the newspapers got hold OF
, it, what he said was the truth and he was
e undoubtedly exasperated to it and baited
by the administration anxious and deter
: mined as it was to get some plausible
D complaint against him.
tx Minister Thurston declares that
4 from the first the administration with
held from bin all information tonchino
upon Hawaii, giving out to the press