Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1899-01-02

notified British subjects Ut Great
Britain's proclamation " neutral
ity, aud also in the columns Of
the Advertiser IL was announced
that Portugal had proclaimed
neutrality, and that the Argeotine
Republic had decided to do so.
The advocates in Hawaii OF pro-
clamation of neutrality not con.
tent with the existing neutral
status, every moment OF which
from the 18th OF April had breath
ed faithlessness and hostility to
the United States, and had been
fraugbt with danger to her, ronsed
themselves to last effort. That
they made il would be convincing
proof, were it not already in the
published record OF the defense,
that the Hawaiian Executive had
yet to be freed from the grasp of
this timid and evil crew.
ADvisEDLY CALLED TIMID.
They are called timid advisedly,
on no less authority that that if
Hon. Henry L. Cooper, Minister
of Foreign, Affairs, who in his con-
tideutial letter to Mr.. Hatch on
May 10th used this expression:
There are few of our timid citi
zens who of course would be glad
to have Hawaii declared neutrali
ty."
With the heading "Our Neutra-
lily" still at its mast head, the
official organ led off with the fol-
lowing:
The actual and acknowledged existence
of war between the United States and
Spain, brings into operation all OF the laws
regarding the rights and obligations of
belligerents, and also the rights and obi
cations of neutral states.
II will probably not be seriously disput-
ed that Hawaii is still an independent, SOW
ereign State. If the United States claim
any rights Of sovereignty here, we fail to
see what they are. They have neither CT
vii or criminal jurisdictiOn.l Their repre-
Sentatives have no authority whatsoever
within the limits of the Republic. The RAJ
LITIGATION of the treaty of annexation by the
Hawaiian Senate is merely part of an un-
executed agreement, which has no force
and effect until executed by the American
Senate. II is the case of a deed of land,
signed, sealed, but not delivered, and
therefore of no value whatever as trans
fer Of title. Probably the Hawaiian Senate
could now reUerse lis act Of ratification,
and it would be recognized as legal .
As neutral state she should follow, in
due time, the example of other neutral
states and proclaim her neutrality. Such
a proclamation COuid require he BEN
nidgtOa 10 iedCe this port TithiR Fl hours,
Just as NE Portuguese required The Spanish
Geet 10 tedre 81. Vincent at once. Should
he bennington refuse 10 go, IRE could not
help ourselves, but wOuid show an honest
neutrality.
A strict regard for the laws which gov
ern neutralS, undoubtedly demands that
our friends, the Americans, should in no
way whatever, make this port basis of
naval supplies or operations. If they
choose to put their own Interpretation on
these laws, or disregard them, we cannot
clip ourselves.
CAPT. NICHOLS QUESTIONED.
And by this time the Advertiser
had so far succeeded in arousiDg
public apprehension over the pres
ence of the Bennington, and Great.
ed the expectation that the govern.
ment would order her from the
harbor, that her gallant com
msnder was forced to submit to
questions from reporters of the
local press. when he was "going
to leare.n To this question he re-
piled with warmth Of indigna-
ton and characteristic American
snap that he would leave when he
"got good and ready" This
statement is made on the authority
of Captain Nichols himself, who
confirmed it as recently as last
Friday when he passed through
Honolulu on his way to join
Dewey's feet at Manila.
HAD NOT ABANDONED NEUTRALITY.
I Up to this time May 8, the Ha-
. waiian Executive had neither
abandoned the existing neutral
state, nor the thought of issuing
a proclamation of neutrality, and
ordering the Bennington to sea,
although "our friends the Ameri.
cans" might refuse to 60.
Whether the telegram sent to
Mr.. Hatch was dated the 9Th, the
day before, or not until the 10th,
the date of Mr.. Dole's letter to
him in which he says 1--WE have nc
idea of proclaiming neutrality" j,
can be and is asserted and cannot
be denied that this idea was no,
abandoned by the Executive till
the telegram passed from its hands
lon that lay info fha m N Ia N n