The herald., 1893-12-19


this is the golden hour for the United
States to pluck it,"
UNREsTRAINED ARDoR.
As further illustration of the activity
of this diplomatic representative, at
tention is called to the fact that on the
day the above letter was written, APP
parently unable to longer restrain HE
Ardor, he issued proclamation where
by, "in the name OF the United States, q"
| he assumed the protection OF the Ha-
waiian islands and declared said action
was taken pending and subject to the
negotiations at Washington"
OF course this assumption OF pro-
tectorate was promptly disavowed by
our government, but the American flag
remained over the public building at
Honolulu, and American forces re-
manned on guard until April, and after
Blunt's arrival on the scene, when both
were removed.
OVERTHROW OF THE QUEEN.
A brief statement OF the occurrences
that led to the subversion of the consti-
tutional government of Hawaii, in the
interests OF annexation to the United
States, will exhibit the true complex
ion OF that transaction. Saturday, jan
uary IA, 1898, the queen of Hawaii, who
had been contemplating the proclama-
tlon OF new constitution, had in defer
ence to the wiehss and remonstrances OF
her cabinet, renounced the project for
the present. st least. Taking this re-
linquished purpose as the basis OF action,
citizens OF Honolulu numbering from 5O
to 100. mostly resident aliens, met in a
private Office, selected so-called COM
mittee OF safety, composed OF l3 persons,
seven OF whom were foreign subjects,
consisting OF five Americans, one Eng
lishman and one German. This COM
mittee, though its designs were not re-
vealed, had in view nothing less than
annexation to the United States, and
between Saturday the 18th and
the following Monday the 10th
OF January, though exactly what action
was taken may not be clearly dlaclosed,
they were certainly in communication
with the United States minister. Mon
day morning the queen and her cabinet
made public proclamation, with a no.
tice which was specially served upon the
representatives. OF ell the foreign govern
ments, that any changes In the constl-
tuition would be sought only In the
methods hrovided by that instrument.
Nevertheless, at the call and under the
auspices OF the committee OF safety, a
mass meeting was held that day to pro-
test against the queens alleged illegal,
unlawful proceedings and purposes.
Even at this meeting the committee Of
safety continued to disguise its real
purpose. They contented themselves
with procuring the passage of resolu-
fhn and "a m M
ering the committee to devise ways and
means "to secnre the permanent main
tenance of law aud order and the pro-
lection OF life, liberty and property in
Hawaii"
LANDING OF THE TROOPS.
This meeting adjourned between and
4 O'Clock in the afternoon. On the same
day, Immediately after such adjourn
ment, the committee, unwilling to take
further steps without the cooperation
OF the United States minister. addressed
note representing that public safety
was menaced and lives and property IN
danger, and concluding ss follows: 1--WE
are unable to protect ourselves without
aid, therefore pray for the protection OF
United States lorces."
Whatever may be thought OF the other
contents of this note, the absolute truth
OF this latter statement is incontestib.e,
/ When the note WAS written and deliv'
/ cred, the committee, so lar as it appears,
/ had neither q man nor gun at its com
mand, and after its delivery they be-
came so panic-stricSen at their position
| that they gent some of their number
| TO interview the minister and request
| him to land United States forces till
next morning, but he replied that
| troops had been ordered, and whe ther
| the committee were ready or not, the
| landing should take nlace. And so ii
| happened on the 18th day of January,
| 1898, between i and 5 O'Clock in the
/ afternoon, a detachment of marines
| from the United States steamer Boston,
with pieces of artillery, was landed at
/ Honolulu. The men, upwards OF $50 in
/ all, were su applied with double cartridge
! belts filled with ammunition, and with
/ haYersacks and csnteens, and were
/ accompanied by hospital corps with
/ stretchers and medical supplies. This
| demonstration upon the soil OF Homo
| lulu was of itself an act OF war,
| unless made either with the consent
| of the government of Hawaii or for the
| bona fide purpose of protecting imper'
lied life and property of citizens Of the
! United StRtes. But there is not a pre-
| tense OF any such consent on the part Of
the government OF the queen, which
was st that time undisputed, and was
both the de facto and de jure govern
ment. In point Of fact the existing gov
ernment. instead of requesting the pres
ence of an armed force, protested against
it. There is as little basis for the pre-
tense that such forces were landed for
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