The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-11-21
Commissioner BlOunt Says That II
Vas a Conspiracy.
MINISTER STEVENS CHIEF LEADER
The Ex-Ministcr Alleged to Have Con-
suited Freely with Leaders of the
Revolutionary Movement and Prom
ised Them Protection.

Gresham decided yesterday afternoon to
make public all the correspondence and
the report OF James II. Blount, the special
commissioner sent 20 Hawaii by President
Cleveland to investigate the revolution
which dethroned Queen Liliuokalani and
NE establishment Of tho provisional
governmsnF.
Mr.. Blount arrived at Honolulu March
20, 1893 In his report he calls attention
TO his reception by Minister Stevens, who,
accompanied by a committee from the
Annexation club, came on board the ves-
sci which had brought me. He informed
me that the club had rented an elegant
house, we'll furnished and provided with
servants aud n carriage and horses, for my
use; that could pay for this accommoda-
tfon Just what chose, from nothing up.
He urged me very earnestly 20 accept the
offer. declined II, and informed him
that should go to ahotel-"
The committee renewed the offer, which
was declined. He also refused to accept
preferred favors from the ex-queen.
Mr.. Bluunt tells how Minister Stevens
called upon him with W. G. Smith, who
represented that the withdrawal of the
United States marines meant that the
japanese would laid troops from a man
of-war In the harbor. The American
minister expressed bis belief in the state
ment. The japanese commis sioner put a
stop to these rumors by having the vessel
ordered away. The provisional govern
ment. left to It's own preservation, left him
free 10 pursue his negotiations.
Causes Remote and ProxImatc.
Commissioner Blount says that "the
causes Of the reinforcement of the queen
and the establishment Of the provisional
government are both remote and prox-
imatev
He then reviews the history of the ISL
snds at some length, beginning with the
constitution Of 1852, and the changes made
IN the Aystsm of government since down
20 the revolution of 1857, which resulted
in the constitution OF that year, and which
is to a great extent given by Mr.. Blount as
the cause OF the revolution of 1898.
Under the cons titution preceding 1887
there were abuses and especially those re-
sulting & ON the election Of 1886, when the
legislature passed n number of bad laws,
Including the lottery aud opium license
laws, in which IL was charged that the
kiag was very corrupt.
Mr.. Blount says that this legislature
would not have caused a revolution in any
OF the United States. but the reformers in
the islands declared that The native is
unfit for government and his power must
be curtail.d.'
Among those mentioned in forcing King
Ealakua Ia Mr. 1hurston, now minister
from Hawaii Mr.. Blount presents n por-
tion Of the constitution OF 1881, in which
he notes the Changes which were espe-
cally unsatisfct0 TO the monarch, such
as removing he power OF appointing the
mobiles TO one IRA c. OF the legislature, re-
strictiug their membership to persons
with pr perty amounting to at least 5000,
and esthbis ing suffrage qualifications
which gave the whites control in the cleo
tions. II slsc afforded an opportunity for
whites, A Amer csns, English aud Germans,
TO vote with ut becoming naturaiized.
The Revolution.
The most interesting portion of Mr..
piount's rsp RI is that concerning the
revolution, VIII ch he explains as follows:
"Nenriy ali 4 the arms Of the island Of
Oahu in whc Honolulu is situated were
in the posse on OF the queens govern
ment A IA tagy force, organized and
Drilled, occg "a the station house, the
bar ncks and c palace the only points
20 strategic Si gnihcance in the event OF
conflict.
"The grea body OF the people moved on
their usual Sc Women and childre
passed 10 and 70 through the streets
seemingly I'm oncprLed OF any impending
danger and y.J there were secret confer
ences held b. small body Of men, some
cf whom wele Gsrms ans, some Americans
and some native horn subjects Of foreign
origin. o. jan ID they took up the sub
jec5 OF dtthr. ming the queen and proclaim.
Ing new A ycrlneni, with a view to nc.
nezation 10 tAe United States. The IRE
aud nort momontous question with then
was 20 dtv.ss lone plan to have the United
States troop. landed.
"Hr. Thurs IN, who appears 90 have
been the lead No Epiri,. sou <ht two mem
bers OF the qn ems b net and urged them
80 head n movement az gilnst the QUEEN and
10 ask Mr. 3 sysns 10 lsnd the troops
assuring them that In such All event Nj
Stevens y, uli do ss.
"Failing 10 enlist any Of the queen,
ss1inet In the cause n was necessary e.
derise some other mole 90 accomplish the
ua1rpose. A committee OF safety, consist
iag Of l3 memhcrs, had been formed from
LITTLE body Of msn assembled In w. y
Smiths ofiice:s deputstoa OF these, In
forming Me- stevens oil their plans, ar
yanaed with him to land the troops II they
Would ask II for the purpose Of protecting <
Lie and property.
Cat and Dried.
'It was agreed between him and them
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