The Hawaiian gazette., 1898-12-27
Historical Sketch Of HavaIl's
War Altitude.
RECORD As IT WAS MADE
early Abandonment OF Neutrality
Dole Government was Keen TO
Assist United states.

The cNiEiruy, oI thy treaty Of anu,Ns
fiun between tine United states and Ha-
walt fully executed on the part Of Hs-
wall but unoNolutod aud In allegiance on
tho part OF the United States, caused
much discussion In President Dolo's Cab
met as TO the relations OF the two coun-
tries Ia the event OF a spanish Amer can
war.
So long az Congress had not declared
war, the discussion was tentative and
speculative. The press OF the city paid
slight attention TO the matter.
ON the llth Of April, eleven days before
Congress declared war against Spain
President Dole addressed TO MIR. +. NJ.
Hatch Hawaiian Minister In Washington,
- letter ON this subject OF which the fol .
lowing is portion:
Honolulu, H. /, l4th April tS~.
Dear Mr.. Hatch
In relation to the prospect Of war nc
tween the United States and Spain, this
Government would bc pleased to receive
suggestions from the Washington Gov
eminent In regard to our attitude toward
the United States and Spain In case OF
war"
This letter was followed 10y another,
dated April S0th. seven days before news
Of the declaration of war was received in
this place. The following Is an extract
from It:
Honolulu, soth April, 1895.
Dear Mr.. Hatch:
I'VE, of course, are deeply interested In
the fact of war existing between the U.
;. and Spain. Would be glad to aid the
authorities of the l.. y. In some way. II
YOU see your way to II. ] should be glad
10 have you convey to the President my
sympathy for him In the serious respon-
sibilities which the Spanish question has
placed upon him.
on the eth day OF May news of the
actual declaration of war by Congress on
the 18th of April, was received by the
steamer Rio de Janeiro. Up to this time,
although 1t was generally believed that
war was inevitable, the attitude OF Ha-
wall towards the belligerents was care
fully discussed by President Dole and his
Cabinet.
The situation was embarrassing, in this
respect that the Republic Of Hawaii had
acted promptly In ratifying the treaty of
annexation with the United States, and
Congress. either by the action of the Sem
ate alone, or by the joint action OF both
Houses, could, In no longer a period of
time than was required to record the
votes, make Hawaii part of the United
states.
The question of declaring neutrality. or
abandoning 1t In favor of an open ALI
ance with the United States, was consid-
cred by the Government. but as notice of
the declaration of war was not received
until May 1th, no action could he taken.
one Of the important features of the dis
cussion was, whether or not an alliance
with the United States would not embar-
rass that country In some way. The
prudent course to pursue was to wait
until President Mckinley had made some
suggestions In reply to President Dole y
letter of April 18th.
The Bulletin, local annexation journ-
al, published on the 9Th of May. four
days before neutrality was abandoned,
interviews with leading citizens on the
question of neutrality. The majority OF
the citizens interviewed were "anncxa-
tionists' and loyal Americans. These in
terviews are republished herein. Although
the Government had been discussing for
some days the matter of abandoning neu-
trality, and President Dole was waiting
for some response from the Government
In Washington to his letter addressed to
Mr.. Hatch on the 18th of April. the pop
that the Government should re-
main neutral. In no case, how
ever. did the annexationists. either
as individuals or as party, nor
did any body of American citizens in any
manner whatsoever suggest or urge the
Government to abandon neutrality UP to
was received on May It'll. And after that
time until the Government sent on the
10Th of May. three days later. the letter
and despatch Offering an alliance with
alton organization. or any persons repre-
senting that body, nor, did any Ameri-
can permanently residing here. take
enough interest In the matter OF aban-
doning neutrality to suggest or urge the
Government to abandon 1t. The American
Minister, Mr.. Sewall, was in favor OF
abandoning II.
At this time the draft of a law, pre-
pared by the representatives of the Re-
public in Washington, and approved by
high officials Of the American Govern
ment, was received by President Dole
This law, II enacted by the Hawaiian Log
lslature, would have given President Nc
kinley the authority to raise the Ameri.
can flag on these Islands. and use them
for war purposes. President Dole and his
Cabinet felt that IL It was enacted Il
would be imperative for several reasons,
and might delay annexation indefinitely
They also discovered on approaching
members Of the Legislature that the pro-
posed law could not be passed, although
II would be n practical abandonment OF
neutrality, In the event or war. Citizens
and political bodies took so little interest
in the matter that the press paid II little
attention. The Bulletin, an annexation
journal, declared that the proposition in
Nolved In the law, II 1t eminated from
Washington, should have been brough,
here Ito these islands, by strons
squadron that would stay by It," II
censureo the Hawaiian representatives In
Washington for their action In "promot-
this Government" And It asked: How
dare this helpless and defenseless little
country now try to force the hands OF
that great nation?' This language used
and published by the Bulletin, an annex.
alton Journal, on the day before and the
day neutrality was abandoned by the
Government, Is reprinted as an appendix
10 this historical sketch.
The star, another journal representing
the annexation political party, could say
no more on the subject than these words
used on May 9Th: "There IL a great deal
or nonsense talked about neutrality. II
Is absolutely impossible for the Govern.
ment 10 take cognlzance until official in,
formation arrives"
Ihe Advertiser advocated the mainten.
ance or neutrality on the ground of in,
ternational obligations. and for the fur,
Their reason that Hawaii had already put
herself completely at the disposal OF the
United states. by ratifying the treaty of
annexation. The editor of the Advertise,
privately urged the Government TO pass
the law which Mr.. Hatch and Mr.. Thurs.
ton had recommended, giving President
Mckinley the power to use the ISLANDS
for war purposes, under a protectorate
The language used was do eyerytbine
that the Government at Washington
wishes or asks you to do"
The Views Of the Advertiser re-