Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 21 April 1893 — TOOK DOWN THE FLAG. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

TOOK DOWN THE FLAG.

THE HAWAIIAN PROTECTORATE HAS BEEN DISSOLVED. Commissioner Blount’s First Official Ad Was to Lower Old Glory and Hoist th« Royal Colors—Not a Cheer or a SignGreeted the Raising of the Native Flag. u Flag of Monarchy Raised. Honolulu advices by steamer to San Francisco say that Commissioner Blount’s arrival was a wet blanket for

the provisional government, but his procedure has paralyzed the leaders as well as Minister Stevens. By Blount's order the American flag was t hauled down and the 1 protector ate di s - This event' i took place April 1, 9and was marked by brief and simple ceremonies. On his ar-

rival In Honolulu the United Slates Commissioner held two audiences, with the provisional government, at the first of which Blount presented a letter fiotn President Cleveland intro iuelng the envoy and defining his duties. At the second audience, held alone with President Dole, Blount said that the following day he would lower the American flag, break up Camp Boston, send the American seamen ba--k to the vessel, and declare the protectorate ended. Hin reason was that he wanted to put the provisional government on a plane of independence, so that in his dealings with it there should be no imputation of coercion. The Provisional leaders were badly surprised, but they spent the night in drilling their troops and preparing for any uprising that might follow the withdrawal of the marines and blue jackets. The streets were full of rumors that Blount proposed to restore the Queen, and these wild tales created intense excitement ainOng the natives. The Queen hastily summoned her followers, and the report was given out that the moment the American coiors/were lowered she would ask the Japanese to declare a protectorate. These rumors, however, proved unfounded. The morning of April 1 a great orowd assembled In front of the Government buildings. The full force of thß Provisional army was gathered. At the command' from Blount a bugler gave the signal and the American colors came down. Thedescent of the flag was watched In deep silence. Then the Hawaiian flag was

hoisted. It received no cheers, for everyone knew it was not the flag the new Government desired. Holds a Conference. Blount on April 3 had a conference with the provisional leaders, at which he assured them that neither Japan not any other power would be permitted to land troops to menace the government. Since that there has been considerable excitement, but nothing has Occurred to disturb the peace. The provisional troops are amply sufficient to guard against any attempts of the Hawaiian to upset the government. It was remarked by many with surprise that no demonstration of any kind had been made when the Hawaiian flag was raised. It was afterward ascertained that the queen had requested some of her people to Instruct the natives to make no deronStration on the occasion. That the royalists, in view of Mr. Blount’s first official act, which was unaccompanied by any word of explanation are greatly encouraged cannot be denied. It is known that Minister Stevens was not informed of the Commissioner’s intention to lower the flag and the provisional government had less than twenty-four hours’ notice. The chief danger apprehended is that of Japanese Interference, either on behalf or at the application of Japanese' subjects, or the Hawalians themselves. Honolulu, always a town of rumors, was startled on the same night on which the proposed hauling down of thestars and stripes became known by a report that the Queen anticipated such action and would .apply to the captain of the Japanese cruiser Nanila for protection against the provisional government and assistance to restore her tothe throne. Minister Stevens, Commissioner Blount and Admiral Skerrett, consulted over the matter and, it instated, agreed that Japanese interference would be an act of hostility to the United States and that American interests demanded that such be repelled. No hostile demonstration, however, hasbeen made.

MINISTER STEVENS

QUEEN LILIUOKALANI.