“It is announced this morning that ex-Queen Lili‘uokalani of Hawai‘i, who has been visiting this country for several months, has no desire for the restoration of the monarchy in the islands.”
“She realizes that such a thing at this late date is impossible. Could she have persuaded this Government to have personally take up her fight there might have been a chance for the restoration of the old order of things. But after the lapse of several years the overthrow of the Republic is hopeless.” (Sacramento Daily Record, April 13, 1897)
“The mission of ex-Queen Liliuokalani is at last definitely known. It is not to secure her restoration to the throne, but to urge McKinley to exert his influence in support of a scheme to overthrow the Dole regime and order a new election for President. She professes confidence that at such election she would be chosen.”
“Her proposition has been laid before McKinley. The ground on which she asks him to intercede is that the Dole Government illegally placed in power through the undue influence of Minister Stevens and the crew of the cruiser Boston. The President’s only reply to the communication so far has been a brief note acknowledging its receipt.” (San Francisco Call, April 13, 1897)
“Lili‘uokalani’s plan is to have the American Government espouse her cause in so far as to order the holding of a new election in the islands. She believes that such an election would overthrow the Dole Government, and she claims that she would then be elected President in his place. She says that she does not desire to be Queen again.”
“Those close to the McKinley administration assert that the ex-Queen’s mission is hopeless. They say that there is no probability that the American Government would take such a step with reference to the Hawaiian Government.”
“McKinley is believed to be friendly to some form of annexation or to the establishment of some kind of American protectorate, but he will not attempt to interfere with the present Hawaiian administration unless such interference would result in closer relationship of some kind.” (Sacramento Daily Record, April 13, 1897)
“Captain Palmer (spokesperson for the Queen) said to The Call correspondent today … ‘I am sure the Queen would be only too glad to have the people of Hawaii settle by ballot the question whether they would be ruled by their chiefs or by the white race in the islands.’”
“‘If there was a general election and her name headed one ticket, Kaʻiulani a second and Mr. Dole the third Liliuokalani would be elected by an overwhelming majority, an immense majority.’”
“‘Would she agree to run for President, and if so would it not be a tacit admission of the legality of the present constitution and form of government?’”
“‘I think if the proposition were broached she would be strongly urged by many of her friends and advisers to accept the position. She would do this for the sake of her people. She is a most charitable and considerate woman, and would willingly sacrifice all her own prospects and advantages for the people she loves so well.’”
“‘We in this country cannot realize the closeness of the tie that exists between the natives of Hawaii and their native rulers. She stands in the position of protector and mother to her people and would do anything in the world for them.’” (San Francisco Call, April 13, 1897)
“In an interview, ex-Queen Liliuokalani said of the proposed treaty between the United States and Hawaii: ‘Fifteen hundred people are giving away my country.’”
“‘The people of my country do not want to be annexed to the United States. Nor do the people of the United States wants annexation. It is the work of 1,500 people, mostly Americans, who have settled in Hawaii. Of this number those who are not native born Americans are of American parentage.’”
“‘None of my people want the island annexed. The population of the islands is 109,000. Of this number 40,000 are native Hawaiians. The rest are Americans, Germans, Portuguese, Japanese, Chinese, English and a small proportion from other countries. The 1,500 Americans who are responsible for what was done to-day are running the affairs of the islands.’”
“‘There is no provision made in this treaty for me. In the Harrison treaty I was allowed $20,000 a year, but that treaty never went into effect. I have never received one dollar from the United States.’”
“‘No one looked after my interests in the preparation of this treaty. Yet my people, who form so large a part of the population of the islands, would want justice done me.’” (Los Angeles Herald, June 18, 1897)
On June 27, 1959, when the matter of Statehood was put to a popular vote, Hawaiʻi registered voters voted on the question of Statehood (there was a 93.6% voter turnout for the General election – as compared to less than 50% today.)
Shall the following proposition, as set forth in Public Law 86-3 entitled “An Act to provide for the admission of the State of Hawaii into the Union” be adopted? 1. Shall Hawaii immediately be admitted into the Union as a State? – 94.3% voted in support.
While Hawaiʻi was the 50th State to be admitted into the union on August 21, 1959, Statehood is celebrated annually on the third Friday in August to commemorate the anniversary of the 1959 admission of Hawaiʻi into the Union.
Follow Peter T Young on Facebook
Follow Peter T Young on Google+
Follow Peter T Young on LinkedIn
Follow Peter T Young on Blogger
These dispatches are valuable insights into 19th century Hawai’i history that offer lessons in how the world worked not only back then, but the way it works even today.
One thing missed in this dispatch is a clear mention of the 1897 Petition against Hawai’i annexation that was apparently buried in Washington and not considered. Indications are the Petition was well organized and included an overwhelming majority of the population.
The fact remains that an independent, sovereign country headed by a popular legitimate monarchy was illegally (by US law) overthrown by an unpopular minority. (Hence the 1993 Apology Resolution.) That’s what this latest dispatch says and what the Petition confirms.
The irony is that here in the Middle East today the US Government backs unpopular authoritarian governments.
Very true Stafford Clarry,