Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1897-06-19
sx.oueex LII PROTESTS
Against the signing, Ratiiying and Enforce.
ment Of Ansxaiion Treaty.

Washington, June 1s.-About O'Clock
Thursday afternoon, Queen Liliouka-
lani filed the following protest in the
office of the secretary of state. 1t was
delivered into the hands of Secretary
John Sherman, by Mr.. Joseph Helcluhe,
representing the native Hawaiians,
duly commissioned by two OF their pat
riotic leagues. Mr.. Heleluhe was ac-
cs.npanied by Capt. julius A. Palmer,
the American secretary Of Liliuokalani.
Mr.. Sherman treated the bearers most
courteously, but gave no indications Of
his action in the matter:
II, Liiiuokalani, Of Hawaii, by the VIII
of God named heir apparent on the 10Th
day of April. A. ID. 1877. and by the
grace OF God. Queen Of the Hawaiian
Islands on the Nth day of January. A.
-. 1893, do hereby protest against the
ratification OF n certain treaty. which.
SO | am Informed. has been signed at
Washington by Messrs. Thurston and
Kinney. purporting TO cede the said
islands to the territory and dominion OF
the United States. | declare such
treaty to be an act OF wrong towards
the natives and part native people OF
Hawaii, an invasion OF the rights OF the
ruling chiefs, in violation OF interna-
tional rights, both toward my people
ard toward friendly nations with whom
they have made treaties, the perpetual
ton Of the fraud whereby the consti-
tGtional government was overthrOwn
and finally an act of gross injustice To
ne.
Because. the official protest made by
me ON the 18th day of January. 1895, to the
signed by me and received by said govern
meni with the assurance that the case
Was referred TO the United States of
america for arbitration.
because, that protest and my commune
cations Ia the nitea States government
Immediately thereafter expressly declared
that l yielded my authority TO the forces
OF the United States in order to avoid
hioodshcd and because | recognized the
fotility OF a conflict with so formidable q
power.
Because the President OF the United
States, the secretary of state and an en-
yoy commissioned by them reported in
official documents that my government
Was unlawfully co.rced by the forces, dip
lomatic and naval, OF the United States
and that ii was at the date of their in
Nestigations the constitutional ruler of
nay people.
Because such decision ofthe recognized
magistrates OF the United States was Of
hciaiiy communicated TO me and to San
ford h. Dole and Dole's resignation re-
Guested by Albert S. Willis. the recognized
agent and minister of the government of
the United States.
Because neither the above named COM
Il ission nor the government which sends
It. never received such authority from the
registered voters of Hawaii. but derives
its assumed powers from the so-called
of public safety organized on
or about the 9TH day of January, 1898. said
committee being composed largely of per-
sons claiming American citizenship and
not one single Hawaiian was member
thereof or in anyway participated in the
d. monstration leading TO its existence.
Because my people. about 1000 in
have in no way been consulted
by those, 1900 in number. who claim the
right to destroy the independence of Ha-
vail. My people constitute four-iifths of
the legally qualified voters of Hawaii
and excluding those imported for the de-
nands of labor, about the same proper
ton of the inhabitants.
Because said treaty ignores not only |
he civic rights of my people, but further |
The hereditary property of their chiefs |
Or the 100000 acres composing tho ter
'ttory said treaty offers to annex. Loco, 600 |
,r sl5,Doo acres, has in no way been here
.ofore recognized as other than the pri- |
fate property of the constitutional mon |
irch. subject to a control in no way diff |
ering from other items of private estate |
i't'0urt 1t ~ pIoitOStu by Salu treaty /
70 conffscate said property. technically |
allied the crown lands. those legally en- |
Tiled thereto. either now or in succession |
'eceiving no consideration whatever, for |
states, their title to which has been al
ways undisputed and which is legitimate \
Y in my name at this date.
Because said treaty ignores not only |
III professions of perpetual amity and |
,ood faith made by the United States in
ormer treaties with the sovereigns rep
sasS. ffrnxr h.. H.,
reaties made by those sovereigns with
,ther and friendly powers, and 1t is
therefore, a violation of international
aw.
Because by treating with the parties
at this time the right TO cede
aid territory of Hawaii. the government
II the United States receives such terri
DRY from the hands OF those whom its
'Wn magistrates 0egally elected by the
'eopie OF the United States and In Office
II lS92). pronounced fraudulently in |
vail.
Therefore, /, Liliuokalani of Hawaii
20 hereby call upon the President of that
lation to whom | yielded my property
md my authority. to withdraw said
reaty tceding said lands) from further
and | ask the honorable
enate of the United States to decline to
atty said treaty.
i lmplore the people of the great and
,oou nation. from whom my ancestors
earned the Christian religion, to sustain
heir representatives in such acts of jus-
zee ana equity as may be in accordance
'ith the principles of their fathers and
? the Almighty Ruler of the universe. to
Inn who judgeth the righteous, | COM
hit my cause j
Done at Washington. District of CO. .
lmbia United States of America, this
iai day of June in the year eighteen
undred and ninety-seven
(SiPna1h I r
Joseph Heleluhe. Weeke Heleuhe In
us A. Palmer. witnesses to signatnre