New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-22
BASE ISLANDERS REFUT,ED.
THURSTCN POINTS OUT THE FALSITY OF
BLOCNTS REPORT.


THE HAWAIIAN REvoLUTIoN-TIIE UPRISING
ONE THAT COULD NOT BE sTEMMED
BRAVERY OF THE PRovI-
sIONAL LEADERS
| Washington. Nov H.-Mr. Thurston. the Hawaiian
Minister this evening gave out the following state
| ment in reply the report Of Mr.. Blount:
| II am urged to make statement for publication
setting forth the position and claims OF the Hawaiian
| Government and making reply to charges con-
tanned in Mr. Blount's report AS have received
| no official information that Mr.. Blount mas maoe
report have not seen a copy Of it and do not know
| what 1t contains except from reading newspaper
abstracts therefrom. and unaware OF the present
| contentious of the United States Government con-
| cerning Hawaii | unable at present. III 'he
absence OF such knowledge. to intelligentiy STATE
| what the position and claims of the Hawaiian Gov
| ernment are 1t would moreover be contrary 10
| Diplomatic courtesy for me to publish statement
on such subject prior to informing the Unted o'a'S
| Government Of the same.
| "A large portion of the published extracts from
| Mr. Blounts report consists however, OF personal
| attacks upon and those associated WIN me III
the Provisional Government. impugning our vera
city good .aith and courage, and charging US WITH
fraud and duplicity. deem 1t proper, therefore, 10
mako a personaI reply to such charges, connning
myself to statements OF fact, Of which, as prnci-
| pal actor am prepared to testify TO Deiore any
| impartial tribunal. .
First before stating such facts desire 10 caii
| attention to Mr.. Blounts method OF constructing
| his report Although he in several places s'a'eS
that I was the leader of the revolutionary move
ment he has never asked me a question concerning
| the same nor given me opportunity 10 maAe @"'
| statement. although have at all times been reauy
and willing to do The same Is true Oh Id, &c
number OF other men who took d leau'"s p"'' III ~
| movement OF January last.
nI ,bo place. his evidence CONSISTS cH-
cIuslvely OF prepared afiidavits or OF answers 10
| leading questions put by himself at private inter-
| Views no one else being present Out 'he s'e"os
| rapher In no instance has there been any c'oss
examination Of witnesses, an opportunity give" ~
contradict or explain evidence given, or 10 present
other evidence.
MINISTER STEVENS GAVE NO ASSURANCES.
g., hr,ef examination OF the published portions or
rho renort shows numerous incorrect statements
shall endeavor for the present however, 10 answer
the more salient points only ,
"rrst Mr.. flount charges that the American
,roops were landed under a prearransed agreement
.,h tho Committee OF Safety that they should SO
land and assist in the overthrow OF the queen III
reply thereto hereby state that al no '''e u'
ur Stevens or Captain Wiltse assure me or the
Committee OF Safety. or any subcommittee there
Of that the United States troops wouiu aSSiSe ~
overthrowing the Queen or establishing ."e iio
yisional Government. and as matter Oh iac' ''e'
did not so assist ...
81 can produce witnesses in support OF this state
mont OF the highest responsibility, in overwhelm-
,ny number but Mr.. Blount has rendered IL un-
necessary to do The statements OF Sir' "un
denberg and Mr.. Damon have been put forwsro &C
the strongest evidence in support OF Mr. boun.
contention. In Mr. Wundenbergs statemeh. he
saws that when the Committee Of Safety told MI
stevens thew were not ready to act. he replied:
.Cen,lemen the troops of the Boston will and az
o'clock whether you ready or not Inc reason
for this reply and the subsequent iandihs Oh tue
,roons 10 manifest The troops were landed to pro-
tect American citizens and property IN the event
OF the impending and inevitable conflict between
tho Ouesn and the citizens, and not 10 Cooperate
with the committee In carrying out its pans III
fact the troops did not cooperate with the com
mittee and the committee had no more kho"ieuse
,har aid the Queens Government where the troops
were going nor what they were going TO 90.
."rhe whole gist Of Mr.. Damons long examination
s likewise contained In his statement that wheh'
after the organization and proclamation OF the new
covernment the request made for the support
NJ the United States troops 1t was refused
Commander Swinburne. the commanding o"cer'
sending back word Captain wiltse's orders are:
Remain passive
TROOPS NOT ESSENTIAL TO THE REVOLUTION.
Second Mr. Blount charges that the queen had
annie military force with which TO have met 'he
committee and but for the support OF the United
States representatives and troops the establishment
q, the Provisional Government would nave peeh
,mpossible In reply thereto hereby state that.
although the presence OF the American troops hau
a oueting effect the rough characters III 'he
city and may have prevented some bloodsheu' they
vere not essential to and did not assist IN the
overthrow Of the Queen The result OF the move
ment would have been eventually the same II there
had not been a marine within 1000 miles OF Homo
hlu In support of this statement cite the ioi-
lowing facts:
"n, The troops did not land till Monday night.
the 10th OF January. after the revolution hao peeh
in full progress since the afternoon OF SATURDAY 'e
lth during which time the Committee OF safety
was openly organizing TOT lhe a'o"e' P''rON -
overthrowing the Queen.
,2) There was absolutely no attempt at conceal
ment from the Government OF the oo)ec's ana IN
tentlons OF the committee.
'(O The Queen. her Cabinet and their supporters
were utterly demoraliZed, suspicious Oh one announcer
and devoid OF leadership.
30 The Committee Of Safety and their support
ers we're united: had ample force TO execute 'heir
purpose: knew precisely what they "an.eu' anu
proceeded with Intelligent deliberation thorough
ness and confidence to do It,
There Is no conflict concerning the facts OF the
first propostion Ii Is admitted by all that the
Queen began the revolution at noon on saturday
the l4th by attempting to promulgate Constitu-
ton; that such attempt was Immediately followed
by preparation on the part OF the citizens for armed
resistance; and that the United States troops land
ed at o'clock Monday. the 18TH
I'm support OF the second proposition. that there
was no concealment from the Government OF the
intentions of the committee. ! submit the follow
ing:
"D On the afternoon of Saturday the 14th. IN re-
ply TO the request of the Queens Cabinet Tor ad-
vice as To what they had better do. the Queen
then still insisting upon the proclamation OF the
Constitution and supporting 1t by force. advised
them to declare the Queen in revolution and the
throne vacant. and at their request and at the ex-
pressed approval Of two OF them and the tacit as
sent of the other two. then and there drew up a
form of proclamation to that effect.
"t2 At 4:3O o'clock on the afternoon Of Saturday.
the lith at meeting OF about 200 citizens at
the office OF w. c. Smith. the Queen was de-
nounced In the strongest terms; armed resistance
and a counter revolution were openly advocated
and the Queens Minister Of the Interior, John Col
bourn addressed the meeting. asking their armed
support against the Queen The Queens Attorney
nj har Da,,t