Home: The Annexation Of Hawaii: A Collection Of Document
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406 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. tion with the Tahitian half-white palace favorite weakened the hold of the Queen on the natives nearly as much as the official confidence she gave to the American and Australian adventurers of the lottery and opium rings. Information from all the principal islands of the group is favorable; more so than could have been anticipated. The local government affairs are moving on with little friction, and the courts are transacting their regular and customary business. The interruption to private business and labor is comparatively little, while the hope of annexation is exerting an invigorating financial influence. As soon as it can become a certainty that these islands are to remain under the United States flag as a part of American territory, there is little doubt that all the principal native leaders will wish to become American citizens, and their assistance can be had to help bring the native people into ready obedience to American law and fidelity to the American flag. As stated in my cipher telegram of this date, the conduct of Capt. Wiltse, of the Boston, and of the officers and men under his command has been admirable. Their deportment on shore and in public places, whether on duty or otherwise, has been such as to command the favor- able comment of all. The time of Capt. Wiltse here is understood to expire February 10. I have no doubt it would be a just gratification to him could he remain on duty here until the question of annexation shall have been substantially decided. I am, etc., JOHN L. STEVENS. Mr. Foster to Mr. Stevens. [Telegram.] DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, February 14, 1893. Your telegram of the 1st instant has been received, with coincident report from commander of the Boston. Press telegrams from San Fran- cisco give full details of events of 1st instant, with text of your proc- lamation. The latter, in announcing assumption of protection of the Hawaiian Islands in the name of the United States would seem to be tantamount to the assumption of a protectorate over those islands on behalf of the United States, with all the rights and obligations which the term implies. It is not thought, however, that the request of the Provisional. Government for protection or your action in compliance therewith contemplated more than the cooperation of the moral and material forces of the United States to strengthen the authority of the Provisional Government, by according to it adequate protection for life and property during the negotiations instituted here, and without interfering with the execution of public affairs. Such cooperation was and is within your standing instructions and those of the naval com- manders in Hawaiian waters. So far as your course accords to the de facto Sovereign Government, the material cooperation of the United States for the maintenance of good order and protection of life, and property from apprehended disorders, it is commended; but so far as it may appear to overstep that limit by setting the authority of the United States above that of the Hawaiian Government in the capacity of protector, or to impair the independent sovereignty of that Govern-