The herald., 1893-11-22
THURsroN's STATEMENT.
The Hawaiian Minister'S Version of the
Revolution.

The Hawaiian Minister'S Version of the
Revolution.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2l.-Lorrin A.
Thurston, the Hawaiian minister, gave
a statement tonight. He says:
II am urged to make a statement Tor
publication, setting forth the position
and claims of the Hawaiian government
and making reply to the charges con-
tanned in Mr.. Blount's report. As
have received no official information
that Blount made a report. am unable
to intelligently state what the position
and claims of the government are. A
large portion OF the published extracts
from Blouut's report consist of personal
attacks upon me and those associated
with me in the provisional government,
inpugning our veracity, and good faith
and courage, charging ua with fraud
and duplicity.
''Firet l desire to call attention to-
Blount's method of constructing his re-
port. Although he in several places
states Twas leader of tine revolution
ary mevement, he never asked me q
questinp concerning the came nor gave
mel an opportunity to make any
statpment, he same is true Of large
| uurS h$f Oxe UHeetf 'M6H WHO 1toOk iedu-
ing part ID tHe movement of January.
His evidence consists exclusively of pre-
pared affidavfts or answers to leading
questions put by himself at private
interview, no one else being present but
the stanographer. In no instance of
any cross-examination was an opportu-
nifty given for contradiction or to exs
plan evidence.
IA brief examination of the pu blished
portions of the report shows number
of incorrect statements. Blount charges
that the American troops were landed
under pre-arranged agreement with
the committee of safety. At no time
did Stevens or Captain Wiltse assure
me or the committee of safety, or any
subcommittee thereof, that United
States troops would aseist in over
throwing the queen or to establish q
provisional government, and, aa mat
ter of fact, they did not 30 assist. can
produce witnesses in support of this
statement.
''In Wundenburg's statement he says
when the committee of safety told
Stevens they were not ready to act, he
replied: Gentlemen, the troops of the
Boston will land at 5 o'clock whether
you are ready or not The reason for
this reply and the subsequent landing of
the troops is manifest. The troops were
landed to protect American citizens and
property and not to cooperate with the
committee in carrying out their plans
in fact the troops did not cooperate
with the committee and the committee
had no more knowledge than did the
queens government where the troops
were going nor what they were going
to do.
"The whole gist OF Damon's long ex-
animation is likewise contained in the
statement that when request was made
it was refused by Commander Swine
brrne sending back word: Captain
Wiltee's orders are to remain passive.'
"Blount charges that but for the sup
port of the United States representative
and troops the establishment of the pro-
visional government was impossible.
Although the presence OF the American
troops may have prevented bloodshed,
they were not essential and did not az
sist in the overthrow of the queen. The
result of the movement would have been
eventually the same II there had not
been q marine within thousand miles
of Honolulu. In support OF this state
ment the troops did not land till Monday
night, the 10th of January, after the
revolution was in full progress since the
afternoon of Saturday the 14th, during
which the committee of safety was OPEN
ly organized for the avowed purpose of
overthrowing the queen.
"Second-There was absolutely no
attempt at concealment from the gov
ernment OF the objects and intentions OF
| the committee.
"Third-The queen, cabinet and her
supporters were utterly demoralized and
suspicious of one another and devoid of
leadership.
"Fourth--The committee and their
supporters were united had ample force
to execute their purpose; knsw pre-
csely what they wanted, and proceeded
with intelligent deliberation. thorough
nees and confidence to do it. 1t is adj
mitted by all that the queen began the
revolution at noon Saturday by attempt
ing to promulgate new constitution.
Such attempt was Immediately followed
by preparations for armed resistance
and United States troops were landed at
O'Clock Monday.
''In support OF the second proposition,
on the afternoon of Saturday, in reply
to request OF the cabinet for advice,