The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1893-11-21

NsiCttN9u tcG8uou 10 DgeN Oil 0i ssAabsesNt
Stevens to delay the landing OF the Bos.
tons men. The committee returned
shortly and said that Stevens said to them:
Gentlemen, the troops Of the Boston
land at o'clock this afternoon whether
you are ready for them or not.' The
committee Of safety adjourned TO meet
the same evening at tho house OF Henry
Waterhouse at 80 o'clock. The Ameri-
can troops wcrc landed al O'Clock as
Stevens told the committee they would,
and marched UP Fort street 10 Merchant
and along Merchant street, haltinr in
King street, between the palace and the
government buildings. AT tho time the
men landed the town wcs perfectly quiet.
Business hours were about over and peo-
p!c wero IN the streets. There was moth
ing unusual TO be seen except the landing
Of the formidable armed force with Cat.
ling guns. evidently fully prepared to re-
main on shore for an indefinite length OF
time as tho men were supplied with
double cartridge belts filled with ammn-
uition, also with haversacks and canteens
aud attended by hospital corps with
stretchcrs and medical supplies. The
curiosity of the people on the streets was
aroused and the youngsters more particu-
larly followed tho troops TO sec what II
was all about. Nobody seemed TO know,
SO when the troops found quarters the
people dispersed, most of them going tn a
concert nj the hotel, which was fully at
tended, as il was a bright moonlight
night. All who were not in tho secret
were wondering at the military demon
stration.
1.-THE committee met nj the Water
houses residence at 10. The formation
OF some sort of government was under
discussion and il was decided that a COM
mander in chief should be apppointed.
The position was offered John IA. Soper,
who demurrcd, not seeing any backing
whatever in support of the movement.
Soper was answered by members of COM
mittcc that the American minister would
support the move with tho troops Of the
Boston. Soper still doubted. SO n couple
of the committee escorted him over TO the
legation, which, by the way, is in tho ad-
joining premises, and the three came back
after time reporting that Stevens had
given them full assurance that any proc
lamation the government should put for
ward ut the government building or any
other building in Honolulu, for that mat
ter, would receive his immediate recogni-
tion and also the support OF the Boston.
This assurance seemed to satisfy Soper,
and he accepted the position.
Tuesday afternoon, Jan. IL, a commit
tee of 10 of the committee of safety, pro-
ceeded from the Office of w. u. Smith NOW
attorney general in the provisional gov
ernmentl TO tho government building and
there read the proclamation Of tho new
government at 20 minutes Of 3 o'clock,
there being practically no audience what
ever. As the reading proceeded dozen
or SO loungers gathered and near the close
of the ceremony, about 30 supporters
vnriously armed came running into the
side and back entrances to the yard and
gathered about tho committee. At this
moment the United States troops. in
temporary quarters less than 100 yards
away, appeared under arms and evidently
prepared for any emergency; during all
tho deliberations Of tho committee, aud in
fact, through all the proceedings connected
with the move up TO the final Issue, tho
basis of action was the general under
standing that Minister Stevens would
keep his promise 20 support the move
mcnt with men from tho Boston and the
statement is now advisedly made, with full
knowledge of the lack of arms, ammuni-
tion and men, and also the utter absence
Of an organization at all adequate to the
undertaking, without previous assurance
of tho support from the American minis
ter and the actual presence Of the United
States troops, no movement would have
been attempted, and il attempted would
have been miserable failure, resulting
in the capture or death of the participants
within q very short time. Having been
present at the several meetings referred
to in the statement, hereby certify the
same to be correct in every essential par
ticular. +. wundenburg.'
Commissioner Blount sends to the state
department "A long interview had by him
with 5. A. Damon, who was president OF
the advisory council OF the provisional
government. Damon's interview was re-
ported stenographically and signed by
him as being correct. Hc Is one of the
men who went up to the government;
house on Monday afternoon. January IL.
and read the proclamation declaring that
the queen was deposed and q new govern
ment in control. Damon corroborates
the statements made by Wundenburc.
In response 10 Blount's questions Damon
said he and another member OF the revo-
lu,ionary committee went 10 tho station
house to hold a conference with the
queen 3 representative. bouflt euueaN'
| ored to draw from Damon an admission
that the argument used 10 induce the
queens minister TO surrender was that
the United States troops were across the
street from tho government building and
| in full sympathy with the revolution. la
mon unwillingly admitted that this was
true. saying: While was in the sta
ton house a man named Bowler sald Ia
me, We're all prepared 10 resist, bu,
will never fight against tho American
flag" Being again pressed for informa
iion as 10 whether tho sympathy tic
United States minister had talked about
Damon replied: ii cannot remember an,
definite thing. but from Bowier's remark
they must have thought that the United
States troops were here for some purpose
While We were in the government build
ing. and during the reading Of tho procla
nation. and while We were all cx,rcmcl,
nervous as to our personal safety. nske,
| one of the men TO go over and ask Lieu
tenant Swinburnc II he was not going I,
send some one over To protect us. III,
man returned aud said: Captain WiliE'
orders are 10 remain passive. ] was per
| fectly nonplusscl at not receiving thei