Jere Krischel at 09:52, 20 December 2005

2005-12-20T09:52:37Z

Jere Krischel at 04:44, 12 December 2005

2005-12-12T04:44:17Z

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770 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.
I had the right to direct the removal of the flag and the return of the
marines to the vessel, and that I had authority to protect American
citizens in their persons and in their property and to see to the proper
observance of treaties. 1 did not understand that I had any power
beyond that.
Senator DOLPH. You did not understand that it was your duty to
wait until the actual destruction of the property of American citizens
commenced, until their lives were in actual jeopardy, before you took
steps to land the United States marines to prevent such injury to the
lives and property of American citizens, did you? That was a matter
resting in your discretion at the time, was it not?
Mr. BLOUNT. That was not mentioned. My idea was that I could
not anticipate. I thought it over. I could not anticipate the circumstances
which might arise; but when they did I was to exercise the
best judgment I had in connection with Admiral Skerrett.
Senator DOLPH. YOU understood it rested in your judgment?
Mr. BLOUNT. I understood that it rested in my judgment—the protection
of American citizens in their lives and property in any disturbance
on the islands. Any particular circumstances did not occur to my
mind.
Senator GRAY. You felt that it was in your judgment to act when
the particular circumstances arose, when the exigency called for it?
Mr. BLOUNT, That is it.
The CHAIRMAN. In my mind the evidence would seem to indicate
that it was left to Mr. Blount to determine what was the political situation
in Hawaii, and in consultation with Admiral Skerrett he was to
determine what should be done in a military way—what should be
done by the United States on that occasion ?
Senator GRAY. IS that true?
Mr. BLOUNT. 1 think that is true. I think, perhaps, it ought to be
added, and my impression was, that if I had issued an order—and I
took that not from the instructions but from the letter of the Secretary
of the Navy—if I issued an order, the admiral would obey.
Senator DOLPH. The Admiral was not to exercise his discretion as
to whether it was proper or not?
Mr. BLOUNT. I understood that I was to confer. That is clear in
that paper. I was to confer with Admiral Skerrett, and I took it for
granted that there would not be any difficulty about our differing on
the question of landing troops.
Senator DOLPH. Was there any chance of a difference?
Mr. BLOUNT. Oh, there was a possible chance. But my idea was
that in handling the troops on shore it would be a thing that ought to
be very largely governed by Admiral Skerrett.
Senator DOLPH. That Admiral Skerrett was to obey your orders?
Mr. BLOUNT. YOU have the paper.
Senator DOLPH. HOW long was it from the time you arrived in Hawaii
until you published your instructions ?
Mr. BLOUNT. That is a matter of record, and not in my mind. I
want to say this: I have not seen these papers in six months; my mind
has been diverted, and I can not recollect. I could tell you absolutely
in a few minutes by looking at these documents.
Senator DOLPH. Up until that time no one in the islands but Admiral
Skerrett knew what your instructions were or what was the
object of your mission in the islands?
Mr. BLOUNT. They never knew definitely. Of course, I was conducting
an examination; sometimes it would be a member of the Provisional
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 771
Government and sometimes a royalist. I had no right to compel
secrecy. There is a letter there from a man by the name of Ashford.
He came in early, and I thought he was a pretty intelligent man. I
did not know what sort of character he was. I thought I would learn
something. He was disposed to talk. I said, " Will you not write me
out your views;" and he did so. Sometime afterward, Mr. Smith, one
of the editors of the annexation organ, the Hawaiian Star, said, "I got
hold of something going on here; some of these fellows who come before
you and are examined, tell." I said, " I did not tell you anything,"
and after that I found Ashford's letter published in the California
papers. I did not see anything wrong, so far as the character of my
investigation was concerned. I communicated nothing at all; but, of
course, these people talked among themselves.
Senator BUTLER. I understand you to say that, so far as you were
concerned, you made no communication of your instructions to anybody?
Mr. BLOUNT. NO ; I did not.
Senator DOLPH. Where were your headquarters; where was your
investigation conducted?
Mr. BLOUNT. It was conducted in a cottage on the grounds of the
Hawaiian hotel, possibly some 50 yards from the main building, where
I took my meals.
Senator DOLPH. Were your family and suite the only occupants of
the place?
Mr. BLOUNT. When we got there some tourists occupied a part of
it. It was not private enough, and I said unless I got the cottage to
myself I would leave. It was accordingly arranged.
Senator GRAY. The cottage belonged to the hotel?
Mr. BLOUNT. Yes. I went to the hotel and got my meals; but I
did not want to be where anybody was.
Senator DOLPH. Were your examinations held at regular hours on
appointed days, and adjourned from day to day, or were they just as
you could get witnesses ?
Mr. BLOUNT. I could always get a witness. The telephone system
there is the finest you ever saw. I could get anybody I wanted. The
rule I adopted was this: I would send for a witness on either side. I
would telephone for hiin or use any other means I saw fit that was
most convenient. I would examine the witness in the presence of my
stenographer. Sometimes it would run over to the second day. I
recollect once especially, in the case of Mr. Damon, whose examination
was continued at his suggestion. When asked as to whether or not
the recognition by Mr. Stevens took place before he went over to the
palace, he said that he thought it did; but he wanted to talk about it
to the attorney-general, Mr. Smith. He went off, and came back in a
day or two and the examination was continued.
Senator DOLPH. YOU misunderstood my question. I want to know
whether you treated your proceedings in the nature of a court, and
held regular sessions at an appointed hour, with adjournments from
day to day?
Mr. BLOUNT. Do you mean whether it was public?
Senator DOLPH. NO, not whether it was public, but whether you
adjourned at regular hours, or conducted it to suit your convenience?
Mr. BLOUNT. At my convenience. I had nothing to do with social
life. '
Senator DOLPH. Who was present at any time?
Mr. BLOUNT. Nobody present except my stenographer, the witness,

Template:770-771 - Revision history

Jere Krischel at 09:52, 20 December 2005

Jere Krischel at 04:44, 12 December 2005