[Inclosure.]
Mr. Soley
to Mr. Blaine.
Navy Department,
Washington, August 14, 1890.
Sir: I have the honor to inclose
herewith, for your information, a copy of a dispatch, dated the
29th ultimo, from the commander-in-chief of the United States
naval force on the Pacific station, regarding political affairs
in the Hawaiian Islands.
Very respectfully,
J. R. Soley,
Acting Secretary of the
Navy.
[Inclosure to inclosure in No.
2.]
Rear-Admiral Brown to Mr. Tracy.
No. 269.]
U.
S. Flagship Charleston,
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, July 29, 1890.
Sir: In reference to political matters
in the Hawaiian Islands I have to report that since my last
communication on this subject, No. 228, of June 26, 1890, many
events have transpired in Honolulu which indicate that serious
trouble, if not a revolution, is imminent at no distant day, The
legislature, now in session, will not probably adjourn before
the middle of September next, and until that time the discordant
element in the National Reform party, as represented by several
natives and half-castes in the legislature, who were prominent
leaders in the attempted revolutionary discussions and
movements, either in the legislature or at public meetings on
the streets. Their efforts are now being made in favor of a
constitutional convention, with a view to revising the present
constitution, which was adopted in 1887.
The revision of this constitution which these revolutionists
desire to bring about is nothing less than an entire new
constitution, which will restore to the King his former powers,
give the native element almost absolute control of the
Government, and ignore the interests of foreign residents and
the vast amount of capital they now have invested in the several
islands. The present constitution provides for the only way by
which it can be amended, and requires the approval of any
amendment by two regular successive legislatures. The
legislature meets biennially. Any attempt to change the
constitution in any other way will be revolutionary and will be
resisted by the reform party and by the best elements of the
national reformers. It is almost assured that there will be a
majority in the legislature opposed to granting a petition for
the proposed constitutional convention, and that the defeat of
the revolutionists in the legislature will be the signal for an
uprising of the lower class of natives.
The result of such an uprising will undoubtedly prove disastrous
to them, as the interests of the whites and the better class of
natives and half-castes can not be permitted to be jeopardized
by a small number of irresponsible and impecunious but educated
natives and half-castes. The presence of the force-under my
command has a marked influence on the would-be revolutionists,
as, while they are well aware that I am here to protect the
persons and property of citizens of the United States, the
general belief among them is, that I will, in the event of a
revolution, take a
[Page 1174]
more decided stand in the interests of those opposed to them
than I might he warranted in doing.
The white residents and natives and half-castes who stand ready
to oppose the revolutionists have every confidence in their
ability to do so successfully, and take great comfort in the
knowledge of an adequate naval force being present. I am in
frequent personal communication with our minister resident, as
also with many of the leading American merchants and lawyers,
and from them am able to keep constantly advised of the progress
of events.
I am, etc.,
George Brown,
Rear-Admiral, U. S. N., commanding U. S.
Naval Forces, Pacific Station.
