The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-09-18
Mr.. Dole Rebukes MIR. Hay and Mr..
GriYgs.

It is thirteen months and six days since
the Hawaiian Republic became nominally
extinct, and tho Stars and Stripes were
hoisted with much ceremony at Honolulu to
notify the world that the islands had
become American territory.
We find in the Haraiian Star OF Aug. %
an apparently authorized interview with
president" DOLE concerning the con-
tinued sale by Mr.. DoLEs Government
Of public lands which were formerly public
lands Of the Republic OF Hawaii, but now,
OF course, are public lands OF the United
States. We quote one passage from Mr..
DoLgs remarks as reported in the Star:
II received from the Secretary OF State the
memorial sent by the Olaa squatters to Wash ngton
together with letter by the Secretary. which. how.
ever Ia quite vague. Mr. HAY Is new in his once
and evidently is not familiar with the lines upon
which we have been working here since last August.
His letter showed that he was not thoroughly
Informed on the subject OF public lands
To understand the real Significance OF
this extraordinary rebuke from the Presi-
dent (by courtesy Of the defunct Republic
to the Administration at Washington. it is
necessary to say that in July last Mr..
DoLE's Government advertised these public
lands on tho island OF Hilo for sale at public
auction on Saturday, Sept. .. The matter
was brought to the attention OF the Federal
authorities at Washington by memorial
addressed to President MCKINLEY by GER
tain American citizens occupying the lands
In question and desiring to acquire title
not from the defunct Hawaiian Republic,
but from tho lawful owner OF the lands,
namely, the United States OF America.
President MCKINLEY referred the Olaa
memorial and the question involved in it
to the Acknowledgement. who rendered on
July 20 this opinion, published at the time
in the newspapers throughout the States.
and also in Honolulu and Hilo:
The public lands of Hawaii cannot be disposed
Of except by special act of Congress"
Thercupon the Secretary of Stxte, as we
now learn from Mr.. DoLE's own statement,
wrote to Mr.. DOLE letter on the subject,
evidently cautioning him about proceed
ing further with the sale of public lands
belonging to the Federal Government.
tits reasonable to suppose that this not-
flcation was conveyed in n manner designed
to spare Mr.. DoLE's feelings, for the Secre-
tary OF State happens to be n gentleman
whose methods are considerable and court
eous 1t is likewise safe to assume that
the letter was written in Ineligible SEN
fences, for Mr.. HAY has never been sus-
pected Of inability to use the English
language with precision.
Mr.. DoLE's public answer to Mr.. HAYS
letter is printed above He tells the Secre-
tary OF State, substantially. that his letter
was vague, and that he is new in office,
ignorant Of Hawaiian affairs, and incom-
petent to deal with subjects relating to the
present status OF the defunct Republic.
Equally remarkable is Mr.. DoLEs treat
ment Of Acknowledgement GRIGGs's opinion
that the United States Governments public
lands in Hawaii cannot be disposed of ex-
cept by special act Of Congress. Mr.. DOLE
has caused his Land Agent to publish a
postscript to the original advertisement OF
the sales of the Oaa lands postponing the
auction until Nor. 1. Congress is not to
meet until December
Thus by word and deed does the Presi-
dent" at Honolulu rebuke and override the
Secretary OF State and tho Attorney-Gen-
eral of the President at Washington.