The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1893-12-27

ripe, and this is the golden hour for
the United States to pluck it."
Gas further illustration of the
activity of this diplomatic repre-
sentative, attention is called to the
fact that on the day in which the
foregoing letter was written, where
by In the name of the United
States, no assumed protection Of
the Hawaiian Islands, and declared
that said action was taken pending
negotiations at Washington OF
course this assumption of protector
ate was promptly disavowed by the
government, but the American flag
remained over the government build
ings at Honolulu, and our forces re-
NAMED on guard until April and
after Mr.. Blount's arrival on the
scene, when both were removed. A
brief statement of the occurrences
that led to the subversion of the
constitutional government of Hawaii
in the interest of annexation to the
United States will exhibit the true
complexion of the transaction. On
Saturday, January IA, 1893, the queen
of Hawaii, who had been contem-
plating the proclamation of new
constitution, had, in defiance of the
wishes and remonstrances of her
cabinet, renowned the project for
the present at least. Taking this
relinquished purpose as a basis of
action, the citizens Of Honolulu,
numbering from 80 to 100, mostly
aliens, met in q private office and
selected q so.called committee of
safety, composed of thirteen per-
sons, seven of whom were foreign
subjects, five Americans, one Eng
lishman and one German. This
committee, though its designs were
not revealed, had in view nothing
less than annexation to the United
States, and were certainly communi-
eating with tho United States minis
ter. At call under the auspices of
the committee of safety mass
meeting of citizens was held that
day to protest against the queens
alleged unlawful proceedings and
purposes. At this meeting the COM
mittee contented themselves with
procuring the passage Of a resolu-
ton denouncing the queen. On the
same day the committee, unwilling
to take further steps without the
co operation of the United States
minister, addressed him represent
ing that tho committee of public
safety was menaced, and concluded
as follows: I'VE are unable to pro-
tect ourselves without aid, and
therefore pray for the protection of
the United States forces" On the
10th day of January, 1893, between
four and five O'Clock in the after
noon, detachment of marines from
the steamer Boston and two pieces
of artillery were landed at Homo
lulu. This military demonstration
upon this soil Of Honolulu was in it.
self an act Of war, unless made
either by the consent of the govern
ment of Hawaii or for the bona fde
purpose Of protecting the imperilled
lives and property of citizens of
the United States. But there is no
pretence that there was any such
consent upon the part of the gov
eminent of the queen. There was
as little basis for the pretence that
such forces were landed for tho Sc
curity of American life and proper
ty; if so they would have been sta
toned in the vicinity of such pro-
perty instead of at distance and SO
as to command the Hawaiian govern
ment buildings or palace. Thus it
appears that Hawaii was taken pos
session of by the United States with
out the consent Of the government
of the islands or anybody else, so
far as shown, except the United
States minister. Therefore the mill
tary occupation of Honolulu by the
United States was without justifica-
ton"
The president then goes on to say:
'Next day, Tuesday, 18th, the COM
mittee of safety met and proclaimed
a temporary provisional government.
By the terms of the proclamation it
was TO exist until terms of union
with the United States had been
negotiated and agreed upon The
United States minister, pursuant to
agreement, recognized this govern
ment, and before o'clock, in answer
to an inquiry on behalf of the queen
and cabinet, announced that it had
done so. When our minister rccog-
nized the provisional government it
was neither government de facto
nor dc jure. This wrongful recog-
milton by the American minister
placed the queen in position OF
most perilous perplexity. She knew
she could not withstand the power
of tho United States, but she might
safely trust to its justice. Accord
ingly, some hours after the recogni,
ton of the provisional government
by the United States minister, the
palace, barracks and police station
with all the military resources of the
country, were delivered up by the
queen, upon representation made tc
her that her cause would thereafter
be reviewed at Washington, and
while protesting, she surrendered tc
the superior forces of the United
States, saying that she yielded hel
authority to prevent a collision Of
armed forces and loss of life, anC
only until such time as the govern
ment of the United States, upon the
facts being presented to it, should
undo its action and reinstate her
The provisional government, with