You are here

Chapter 34: How the US got Hawaii

One more article from the Lumberjack News of Eureka California. This one was written in 1962.

At a time when part of the US Navy is hovering ominously in Santa Domingo waters to "prevent a leftist takeover" it might be well here to review briefly just how DID the US get Hawaii? It is a sordid story, but factual and written in a book called "Imperial Washington" by a former US Senator, one R. F. Pettigrow (senator of South Dakota in 1893). We just take excerpts to save space.

Honolulu, Hawaii January 14th, 1893. A committee of safety composed of 13 members, (American business men) had been organized at M. V. Smith's offices. At this meeting the feeling was expressed that this was a good time to get rid of the old regime and provide for annexation to the US. There was no fear of disorder, no thought that life or property were in danger.

Mr. Smith stated that the committee at his office debated whether they would ask the US to establish a protectorate. They concluded that as the Queen had an armed force it was best to appoint a committee to see the US minister and ascertain what he would do.

After the meeting, Smith went to see the US Minister and arranged with him as to what should be done if Smith and his conspirators were arrested. He secured the required assurances, and the call for troops was issued.

Troops were landed from the US gunboat in the harbor and distributed, not for the purpose of protecting Americans, or American property, but to guard the Government building and show the Queen that they were assisting the 'revolutionists' (a committee of 13 business men). This was Monday evening. On Tuesday morning the committee of 13 met again and signed the proclamation, according to a previously arranged plan with the US Minister.

The proclamation having been read at the Government building, guarded by US Troops, the US Minister proceeded at once to recognize the new Government. They had not an armed man other than US Troops (some revolutionaries)! They had proceeded to the Government building where there were clerks and officers of the Hawaiian Government with not even a policeman present. They stood up in front of that building with the formidable backing of the gattling guns of the US Marines from an American battleship and read a paper declaring that they were the Government. Three quarters of a mile away, the Queen had 500 men under arms, so without waiting a moment, the US minister recognized the new Government of Hawaii.

And THAT is how "we" got Hawaii. "We" just plain stole it!

46 years ago, ye editor was a soldier in the 35th US Infantry at Schofield Bks in Hawaii to "guard American

The Fine Print I:

Disclaimer: The views expressed on this site are not the official position of the IWW (or even the IWW’s EUC) unless otherwise indicated and do not necessarily represent the views of anyone but the author’s, nor should it be assumed that any of these authors automatically support the IWW or endorse any of its positions.

Further: the inclusion of a link on our site (other than the link to the main IWW site) does not imply endorsement by or an alliance with the IWW. These sites have been chosen by our members due to their perceived relevance to the IWW EUC and are included here for informational purposes only. If you have any suggestions or comments on any of the links included (or not included) above, please contact us.

The Fine Print II:

Fair Use Notice: The material on this site is provided for educational and informational purposes. It may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. It is being made available in an effort to advance the understanding of scientific, environmental, economic, social justice and human rights issues etc.

It is believed that this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have an interest in using the included information for research and educational purposes. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. The information on this site does not constitute legal or technical advice.