In 1883 the term of seven years for which the reciprocity treaty was to endure expired, and the treaty became terminable on Renewal of recitwelve months' notice by either party. The subject procity treaty. of its definite extension was discussed not only diplomatically, but also in Congress." A convention definitely extending it for seven years, after which it was again to become terminable on twelve months' notice, was concluded at Washington, December 6, 1884. Owing to opposition, springing chiefly from sugar interests in the United States, but also to some extent from constitutional objections to reciprocity treaties in general, the ratifications of this convention were not exchanged until November 9, 1887."

Pearl Harbor.

с

By an amendment inserted as Art. II. by the United States Senate, the King of Hawaii granted to the Government of the United States "the exclusive right to enter the harbor of Pearl River in the island of Oahu, and to establish and maintain there a coaling and repair station for the use of vessels of the United States," and to that end to improve the entrance to said harbor, and do all other things needful to the purpose aforesaid." Before the exchange of ratifications the Hawaiian Government sought an explanation of this provision, to the effect that it did not and was not intended "to invade or diminish in any way the autonomous jurisdiction of Hawaii while giving to the United States the exclusive right of the use of Pearl Harbor stipulated therein, for the sole purpose stated in the article, and, further, that the Article II. of the convention, and the privileges conveyed by it, will cease and determine with the termination of the treaty of 1875, under the conditions fixed by this convention." The Department of State, while disclaiming any power "to qualify, expand, or explain" the amendment of the Senate, declared that " no ambiguity or obscurity" was observable in it, and that there was discerned in it "no subtraction from Hawaiian sovereignty over the harbor to which it relates, nor any language importing a longer duration" than that prescribed for the treaty of 1875 as extended.

On December 23, 1887, Sir Lionel West, British minister at Washington, handed to Mr. Bayard the following memorandum:

@See House Report 1860, 47 Cong. 2 sess.; Senate Report 76, 48 Cong. 1 sess., parts 1 and 2.

See report of Mr. Tucker, March 3, 1887, H. Report 4177, 49 Cong. 2 sess., stating constitutional objections. See, as to the failure of the ratifications of the Marcy reciprocity treaty of 1855, Mr. Seward, Sec. of State, to Mr. McCulloch, Sec. of Treas., Jan. 17, 1867, 75 MS. Dom. Let. 105.

For. Rel. 1887, 588.

Mr. Carter, Hawaiian min., to Mr. Bayard, Sec. of State, Sept. 23, 1887, For. Rel. 1887, 589, 591.

Mr. Bayard, Sec. of State, to Mr. Carter, Hawaiian minister, Sept. 23, 1887, For. Rel. 1887, 591. See, also, Mr. Bayard, Sec. of State, to Mr. Merrill, Min. to Hawaii, Sept. 26, 1887, MS. Inst. Hawaii, III. 56.

"England and France by the convention of November 28, 1843, are bound to consider the Sandwich Islands as an independent State and never to take possession, either directly or under the title of a protectorate or any other form, of any part of the territory of which they are composed.

"The best way to secure this object would, in the opinion of Her Majesty's Government, be that the powers chiefly interested in the trade of the Pacific should join in making a formal declaration similar to that of 1843 above alluded to, and that the United States Government should, with England and Germany, guarantee the neutrality and equal accessibility of the islands and their harbors to the ships of all nations without preference."a

To this communication Mr. Bayard replied:

"PERSONAL.]

66

"DEPARTMENT OF STATE, Washington, February 15, 1888. "DEAR SIR LIONEL: After reading the memorandum of Lord Salisbury in relation to the Sandwich Islands, it does not occur to me that I can add anything to what I stated to you orally in our interview on the 23d of December last, when you first sent it to me.

"I was glad to find that you quite understood and had conveyed to your Government the only significance and meaning of the Pearl Harbor concession by the Hawaiian Government, as provided in the late treaty of that Government with the United States, and that it contained nothing to impair the political sovereignty of Hawaii.

"The existing treaties of the United States and Hawaii create, as you are aware, special and important reciprocities, to which the present material prosperity of Hawaii may be said to owe its existence, and by one of the articles the cession of any part of the Hawaiian territory to any other government without the consent of the United States is inhibited.

Constitution of 1887;

"In view of such existing arrangements it does not seem needful for the United States to join with other governments in their guaranties to secure the neutrality of Hawaiian territory, nor to provide for that equal accessibility of all nations to those ports which now exists." July 30, 1889, an insurrection under the lead of two Hawaiian halfcastes, named Robert W. Wilcox and Robert Boyd, insurrection of took place at Honolulu. It was soon suppressed, and during the disturbance a force of marines from the U. S. S. Adams was landed by permission, with a machine gun, to protect life and property at the legation and in the city, their appearance on the streets having a favorable effect on the population. Soon after the attempted revolution, the supreme court of Hawaii rendered a decision to the effect that the king could govern only through

1889.

a For. Rel. 1894, App. II. 24.

his cabinet. This decision was rendered under the constitution which, as the result of "an uprising of nearly the whole foreign population, supported by the better class of natives," King Kalakaua had accepted and signed on June 30, 1887; a constitution designed to substitute, for the personal rule of the king, government by a cabinet responsible only to the legislature." While government was more securely conducted under this system, yet a certain native antagonism was exhibited toward it, not only because it curtailed the powers of the native king but also because it increased the political privileges of the foreign residents, who were allowed to enjoy political rights without renouncing their foreign allegiance and citizenship.'

uokalani.

In January, 1891, King Kalakaua, who had lately arrived in the United States on a friendly visit, died at San FranDeath of Kalakaua; succession of Lili- cisco. The Princess Liliuokalani, who had accompanied Queen Kapiolani at the celebration of the Victorian jubilee in London in 1887, and who, when Kalakaua departed for San Francisco, was appointed regent during his absence, was proclaimed Queen. She was duly recognized by the United States.a In January, 1893, a revolution took place at Honolulu. The abdication of the Queen was secured and a provisional govmonarchy, 1893; ernment, at the head of which was Judge Sanford B. treaty of annexa- Dole, was set up, to continue till annexation to the United States should be accomplished. February 14, 1893, a treaty of annexation was signed at Washington by Mr. Foster, Secretary of State, and five commissioners on the part of the provisional government. It was submitted by President Harrison to the Senate February 15, 1893. In his message of transmission he stated that the

Overthrow of the

tion.

a For. Rel. 1894, App. II. 664.

For. Rel. 1894, App. II. 1168.

For. Rel. 1891, 644, 648, 649; id. 1894, App. II. 26, 1166.

d Mr. Blaine, Sec. of State, to Mr. Stevens, min. to Hawaii, February 28, 1891, For. Rel. 1894, App. II. 1176. See, also, Mr. Foster, Sec. of State, to Sec. of Navy, Nov. 5, 1892, 189 MS. Dom. Let. 98.

President Harrison, in his annual message of Dec. 6, 1889, said: "Our relations with Hawaii have been such as to attract an increased interest, and must continue to do so. I deem it of great importance that the projected submarine cable, a survey for which has been made, should be promoted. Both for naval and commercial uses we should have quick communication with Honolulu. We should before this have availed ourselves of the concession, made many years ago to this Government, for a harbor and naval station at Pearl River. Many evidences of the friendliness of the Hawaiian Government have been given in the past, and it is gratifying to believe that the advantage and necessity of a continuance of very close relations is appreciated." See, also, President Harrison's annual message of Dec. 9, 1891. In 1890 Mr. Carter, the Hawaiian minister at Washington, was appointed by his government as a delegate to the International American Conference, but too late to permit him to take part in its proceedings. (Mr. Blaine, Sec. of State, to Mr. Carter, Hawaiian min., May 3, 1890, MS. Notes to Hawaii, I. 154.)

overthrow of the monarchy was not in any way promoted by the United States, but had its origin in what seemed to be a reactionary and revolutionary policy on the part of Queen Liliuokalani, which put in serious peril not only the large and preponderating interests of the United States in the islands, but all foreign interests, and indeed the decent administration of civil affairs and the peace of the islands. President Harrison further said: "

"It is quite evident that the monarchy had become effete and the Queen's government so weak and inadequate as to be the prey of designing and unscrupulous persons. The restoration of Queen Liliuokalani to her throne is undesirable, if not impossible, and unless actively supported by the United States would be accompanied by serious disaster and the disorganization of all business interests. The influence and interest of the United States in the islands must be increased and not diminished.

"Only two courses are now open; one the establishment of a protectorate by the United States, and the other, annexation full and complete. I think the latter course, which has been adopted in the treaty, will be highly promotive of the best interests of the Hawaiian people, and is the only one that will adequately secure the interests of the United States. These interests are not wholly selfish. It is essential that none of the other great powers shall secure these islands. Such a possession would not consist with our safety and with the peace of the world.

"This view of the situation is so apparent and conclusive that no protest has been heard from any government against proceedings looking to annexation. Every foreign representative at Honolulu promptly acknowledged the provisional government, and I think there is a general concurrence in the opinion that the deposed queen ought not to be restored. Prompt action upon this treaty is very desirable."

The details of the transactions were more fully set forth in a report of Mr. Foster to the President. Although there had existed for a long while an unsettled state of affairs, the change in the government of Hawaii was, said Mr. Foster, entirely unexpected so far as the United States was concerned; and the American minister at Honolulu, Mr. Stevens, had at no time been instructed with regard to his course in the event of a revolutionary uprising. The change was also unlooked for by the commander of the U. S. S. Boston, who, under the impression that all disturbances had been allayed, had a few days previously quitted the capital with the American minister for a brief excursion to a neighboring island. On his return to Honolulu, January 4, 1893, he found affairs in a crisis. An armed conflict seemed possible at any moment, but it was not till late in the afternoon of a For. Rel. 1894, App. II. 198.

H. Doc. 551-32

Monday, January 16, after the request for protection had been made by many citizens of the United States, that a force of marines was landed from the Boston by direction of the minister and in conformity with the standing instructions which, for many years, had authorized the naval forces of the United States to cooperate with the legation for the protection of American lives and property in case of imminent disorder. The marines when landed took no part whatever toward influencing the course of events. They remained isolated and inconspicuous till the provisional government had succeeded and had organized an adequate protective force, nor was any public recognition accorded to the provisional government by the United States minister till the Queen had abdicated and the provisional government had secured "effective possession of the government buildings, the archives, the treasury, the barracks, the police station, and all potential machinery of the government." a

President Cleveland on March 9, 1893, withdrew the treaty from the Senate for examination.' At the same time he sent

the treaty.

Withdrawal of Mr. James H. Blount, lately chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, to the islands as a special commissioner. In all matters pertaining to the relations of the United States to the existing or other government of the islands, and the protection of American citizens therein, the authority of Mr. Blount was stated to be "paramount;" but the minister, Mr. Stevens, was to continue in the conduct of the usual functions of the legation, not inconsistent with Mr. Blount's powers, until further notice. On May 22 Mr. Blount was appointed envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to the Hawaiian Islands, with a letter of credence to the president of the provisional government. On and after April 6 Mr. Blount made numerous and full reports of the results of his investigation. Their purport was summed up in a report of Mr. Gresham, Secretary of State, to President Cleveland, October 18, 1893. The statements made in Secretary Foster's reports were, said Mr. Gresham, based upon information received from Mr. Stevens and the Hawaiian special commissioners. But, according to the evidence contained in Mr. Blount's reports, those statements were "contradicted by declarations and letters of President Dole and other annexationists, and by Mr. Stevens's own verbal admissions." The provisional government, said Mr. Gresham, was recognized when it had little other than a paper existence, and "when the legitimate govern

a Report of Mr. Foster, Sec. of State, S. Ex. Doc. 76, 51 Cong. 2 sess.; For. Rel. 1894, App. II. 198–205. See, also, Mr. Foster, Sec. of State, to Mr. Phelps, min. to Germany, tel., Feb. 1, 1893, MS. Inst. Germany, XVIII. 654.

For. Rel. 1894, App. II. 1190.

For. Rel. 1894, App. II. 467, 1185, 1187, 1188.

For. Rel. 1894, App. II. 470-1150.