The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-11-22

-~~S O@As~~e~~
Blount's Witnesses-Their Evidence
Contradicted by the Action of Foreign
Governments-Mr. Stevens Tells of the
Attitude of the Democratic Party in
the Past.
Washington, November 21-Mr. Thurs
ton, Hawaiian minister, this evening
gave out statement insreply to, the re-
port of MI. .Blount. Mr.. Thurston devotes
his reply to the personal attacks upon
himself He says: 1Mr. Bio unit, in
several places, states that was the lead
er of the revolutionary movement, but he
has never asked me question concern
ing the same nor given me the oppor-
tunity to make any statement although
I have at all times been ready and will
ing to do so. The same is true of large
number of other men who took leading
part in the movement of January last
His evidence consists exclusively of pre-
pared affidavits or answers to leading
questions put by himself at private in
terviews with no one else present but
stenographer. In no instance was there
any cross examination or opportunity
given to contradict or explain the evil.
dence given or present other evidence. I
hereby state that at no time did Mr..
Stevens or Captain Wiltse assure me or
the committee of safety or any sub COM
mittee thereof that the United States
troops would assist in overthrowing the
Queen or establishing provisional gov
ernment and, as matter of fact, they did
not assist. can produce witnesses in
support of this statement of the high est
responsibility and in overwhelming
numbers.
"The statements of Mr.. Wundenburg
and Mr.. Damon have been put forward
J as the strongest evidence in support of
Mr.. Blount's contention. In Mr.. Wunden-
burg's statement, he says when the COM
mittee of safety told Mr.. Stevens they
were not ready to act, he replied Gentle
men, the troops of the Boston will land
at five whether you are ready or not
The reason for this reply and the subse-
quent landing of the troops is manifest.
The troops landed to protect American
citizens and property in the event of an
impending and inevitable conflict be-
tween the Queen and the citizens; not to
cooperate with the committee in carry
ing out its plans In fact, the troops did
not cooperate with the committee and
the committee had no more knowledge
than did the Queens government what
the troops were going to do. Most of Mr..
Damon's long communication is con-
tanned in his statement that when, after
the organization and proclamation of the
new government, a request was made for
the support of the United States troops,
it was refused. Although the
presence of American troops had a quiet
ing effect on the rough characters in the
city and may have prevented some blood
shed, they were not essential to, and did
not assist in the overthrow of the Queen.
The result of the movement would have
been eventually the same if there had
not been marine within thousand
miles of Honolulu.
SIN support of this statement cite the
following facts: The troops did not land
until the night of the 10th of January.
after the revolution had been in full
progress since the afternoon of the 18th,
during which time the committee of
safety was openly organizing for the
avowed purpose of overthrowing the
Queen. There was absolutely no attempt
at concealment from the government of
the objects and intentions of the COM
mittee. The Queen, her cabinet and
their supporters were utterly demoral-
,zed, suspicious of one another and de-
void of leadership. The committee of
safety and their supporters united had
an ample force to execute their purpose
knew precisely what they wanted and
proceeded with intelligent deliberation,
thoroughness and confidence to do it.
Never in the history OF Hawaii has there
been such tense condition of mind or
more imminent expectation of bloodshed
than on the 10Th. Mr.. Blounts' staten ent
that the community was at peace and
ou;et is grossly inaccurate. Capt. Wiltse
and Mr.. Stevens, acting upon their own
resnonsibility and discretion, Irrespective
of tbe request or actions of the commit
,aad troons which were distrihute