Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-27
THE INVESTIGATION
Into the Hawaiian Affair Started by
the Senate Committee.
WILL Sit BEHIND CLOSED DOORS,
And the Proceedings WILDE Kept
RigidIy Secret
7 II E FIR ST WITNE ESS

The Senate committee on foreign relations
has lost no time in starting the investiga-
ton into the Hawaiian affair that was in
sugated by the action of the Senate just
before adjournment by the adoption of a
resolution At the next meeting after the
passage OF the resolution the committee de-
eided to conduct the investigation through
subcommittee consisting of Senators
Morgan. Butler, Gray. Sherman and
Frye. This subcommittee met this
morning at 10 o'clock in the office of the
general committee foreign relations.
in the north side of the ground floor Of the
Capitol The committee decided at once to
conduct the investigation behind closed
doors. and after half an hour Of preliminary
discussion appointed Mr. Robert Boswell
official stenographer. All of the members Of
the subcommittee were present except Sem
ator Butler, who Is now on q holiday trip to
South Carolina. Senator Morgan, in his
capacity as chairman of the full committee.
Is chairman of the subcommittee also. Mr..
Morgan, clerk to the committee. serves in
the same functions to the subcommittee.
Rev. Mr.. Emerson the First Witness.
As soon as Mr.. Boswell had taken the
oath to remain perfectly silent on all mat
ters relating to the investigation the first
witness was called. in the person of Rev. o.
T. Emerson, secretary to the board of mis-
sions of Hawaii. Mr.. Emerson was an eye
witness to the scenes of the revolution in
January last. and is thoroughly acquainted
with all the affairs of the island, including
the proceedings of the queen leading up to
the attempted adoption of new
constitution ard the resulting over
throw of the monarchy. He is. fur
thermore, well acquainted with the peo-
pie not only o. the city of Honolulu, but of
the other islands, and is we'll qualified to
speak concerning the attitude of the natives
on the subject of annexation, and also of
their relations with the queen.
Prof. Armstrong, surveyor general of Ha-
wall. who has been in the city for several
months. was in attendance this morning
hav1ng Deen summoned as witness. He
waited until after MIR. Emerson was called
and then. learning that it was probable that
the latter's examination would consume the
S-eater part of the day, he left for his home.
Senator Davis of Minnesota. member of
the fun committee on foreign citations. at
tended the meeting of the subcommittee for
about half an hour this morning.
The Sessions Rigidiy Secret.
The sessions are rigidly secret and no one
is admitted into the committee room but
the members Of the subcommittee, the
other members of the full committee and
the clerk, stenographer and witnesses The
outer regions are guarded by a doorkeeper
and further by an assistant sergeant-at-
arrls. Capt. Barnes. who has been on duty
in the Senate for many years. Capt.
Barnes was ON hand this morning for the
purpose of serving summonses in case any
more witnesses than those present should
be needed He is expert at this busi-
ness and can find a reluctant witness and
bring him to the committee rooms where
a hundred other people would fail He made
Il great record some years ago when he
succeeded in serving summons on the
late DIR. Norvin Green, president of the
49, l.
was wanted by the committee on post off,
ces and post roads, of which Senator Hill
was chairman. DIR. Green had evaded Col
Canaday deputies for many weeks. and on
every occasion when MIR. Christie departed
for New York the willy doctor got a tip In
some way and was never in town when the
deputy called. AS he vas very important
witness Senator Hill determined to get him
at all hazards. Accordingly Capt. Barnes
was sent with instructions to serve the
summons and not to breathe a word of his
errand to a living soul.
How the Summons Was Served.
Wher he arrived in New York he hasten
ed to the office of the telegraph company,
and. seeking admission to the presence of
DIR. Green. finally found himself in an ante
room. where functionary demanded his
name and business. He willingly gave the
former. but reserved the latter He sent a
card bearing the unmeaning title Of A.
Barnes. North Carolina, into the exclusive
presence. which was promptly responded to
Dy demand for the nature of his busi-
ness This MIR. Barnes still refused to give
ana ascertained that he was then posted at
the only exit of the room he proceeded to
encamp himself and for two hours he re-
manned on watch. Finally the doorkeeper
announced to Dr. Green that his caller
had sworn to stay until the doctor emerged
from ms room, and in desperation the
president OF the company allowed him to
enter. 10 pr- Sreen's great chagrin Mr..
N.
with the summons and told him that he
was the first man earth to catch him
when nc didn't want to be caught. DR..
Green honored the summons by annearino
the next morning before the cornmittae
ana since that time whenever there bas
been an unwilling witness to secure the
into requisition.
May BE Called as Witnesses.
1t is not probable, however, that there
viii be any need of any such fine work in
this investigation, for it is not likely that
any of the witnesses desired by the com
mittee will be unwilling to appear Mr.
Stevens, the ex-minister. will unuuestiona
bly, be only too glad of such an oppor
tunity to vindicate his official course in
Hawaii and will come readily at the least
lntfmation that the committee desires his
presence. Mr.. Blount will probably be sum-
moned also, and it is thought that the COM
mittee will try to reach all the available
about the revolution. the efforts to secure
annexation and the subsequent reputation
or the acts of the former administration
1t Will be an interesting matter to note
whether not Mr.. Hastings, the charge
dahaires of the Hawaiian legation who
at present is the only diplomatic repre-
sentative of the islands in this country
viii appear before the committee as a wit
ness IL is not altogether in line with
diplomatic ethics for such an official to
appear before a committee Of Congress
His entire relationship with this govern
ment Is supposed TO exist in his communi-
cations through the State Department, Yet
II Is not thought that there would be any
tnp~opriety in Mr.. Hastings appearance
BEFORE the committee if he We're perfectly
willing to give his testimony. which il is
rot improbable ne would be. The commit
zee. though. would not think of sumnoning
MN a:.inst his will. Mr.. Thurston will
orohabiy not return to this country in time
70 give any evidence before the committee
thouSh 1t is estimated thdt the investiga-
Won cannot well he conducted within two
months Mr.. Gresham will probably be ex-
cusef from attendance on the committee
ror All the information that he can irnDart
c'1 he ohtatrAf through communications
Snf " u not likelv that thare will he any
d'snnsitfnn to crOSs-exau1fna him. for his
actions in the matter are all p matter of
record
Nr. EmersOn's Testimony.
Mr.. Emerson is abo 9