Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-28
ALL ABOUT HAWAII.
TIE SENATE INVESTIGATING COMMIT
TEE AT WORK.
Morgan for the Utmost Possible Publicity
ssto Facts. Though the Inquiry
il Secret.

WASHINGTON. December ,27.-The
subcommittee OF the Senate Committee
on Foreign Relations which was charged
with an inquiry into the events leading up
to the revolution in Hawaii, the install
lation OF the Provisional Government
and the conduct Of the executive branch
OF this government in the matter, met
promptly at 10 o'clock this morning In
the Capitol. But one member Of the sub
committee was absent--Senator Butler, OF
South Carolina, who is spending the holl-
days In his native State. The members
present were Senator Morgan, chairman;
and Senators Gray. OF Delaware; Frye,
OF Maine, and Sherman. of Ohio. Aside
from the rather unusual promptness
shown by the members of the sub-com-
mittee In assembling, there were other
signs OF determination TO prosecute the
inquiry with vigor and earnestness.
A stenographer was installed. and busi-
ness was begun at once with the reading
Of the resolution under which the COM
mittee Is acting. 1t reads as follows:
Resolved. That the Committee on For
eign Relations shall inquire whether any,
and. II so, what irregularities have oc-
CURED In the diplomatic or other inter
course between the United States and
Hawaii In relation to the recent reVolu-
ton In Hawaii, and TO this end said COM
mittee Is authorized TO send for persons
and papers, and to administer oaths to
witnesses"
THE FIRST WITNESS.
Two witnesses waited at the door OF
The committee-room while these prelimi-
narles were passing. They were Rev. y.
=. Emerson and Surveyor-General Alex
ander. both citizens of Hawaii, and both
believed to be In strong sympathy win
the Provisional cause Rev. Emerson ~
n native Of Hawaii but was educated IN
the United States. He IS at present sec
retary of the Board of Missions. Mr..
Alexander has been in Washington for Il
few weeks past. and has been stopping
temporarily at the Hawaiian legation
here.
Mr. Emerson was the first and only wit
ness heard to-day. He Is about % years OF
age. and told the subcommittee that ne
had spent nearly all the years OF his life
on the Hawaiian Islands. He was well
acquainted with King Kalakaua, ana de-
scribed at length the many stirring events
OF the troubled reign Of that potentate'
treating at length OF the revision OF the
constitution. to which Commissioner
Rlouut I'm his report, attributes nearly all
of the troubles that have since occurred
ON the islands. lie was about Honolulu
during the overthrow of Queen Liliuoka-
lani. the landing of the Bostons force,
and the establishment Of the Provsional
Government and told the committee Oh
all these events, of which, he said, he was
an eyewitness.
AIR. EMERSON'S TESTIMONY.
Mr. Emerson, in his capacity OF Secre-
tarv OF the Hawaiian Missionary Board
had occasion to travel extensively over
the islands. and is, in consequence or these
visits. well acquainted with the people ana
their characteristics. His offices, or head-
ouarters, were in Honolulu, and AT the tifne
of the overthrow Of the Queen he was IN
that CITY and so became an eyewitness 10
fhe whole trouble He told the sub-commlt-
tee that the United States navai loIces
were landed at Honolulu because OF
threats which had been made against the
persons and property OF American oi'i-
zfns. H. e.,
overthrow of the Queen. and lent no aid
n, the men who established the Provisionai
Co,ornn,ent Mr.. Emerson had a per-
sonal acquaintance with the men at the
beod of the existing government anu
maid them a high tribute as men Oh non
aetv and integrity. He remained IN ma
woii. until after the departure OF Judge
Rlount, coming to the United states II,
order to attend the religious congress az
the worlds Fair. He left the lsiaIius
about the time of. or httie oeioie' 'N'
arrival OF Minister Willis.
ADJOURNMENT.
rho committee adjourned at 115 O'CLOCK
min next Tuesday morning, the SeIBeaI'
alarms having been notihed 10 suopoei,'
q number Of witnesses VINO VIII oe ~
eo,nTance ON that day. among them Pro-
s.ssor Alexander. the Surveyor-General OF
tHo Islands. who is anxious to get PACK 10
tIor,oIi in order to escape the "ih'el
,raather and whom the COMMITTEES Wd@
unable TO examine to-day, ana eN-Milli'tei -,
stevens who will reach Nashihs'oH w
fore Tuesday morning 4. ,,s cor-
,rha committee will adhere 10 l's @ @oo
.,,,cton to conduct the inquiry IN seciV'
not with the view TO conceallls ''io 49,, -
-. .to neonIe but in order 10 pTeNeh.
the publication of anything tha' ls|r,' nS
Interfere with our relations WIN -.
e,overnments. Hawaii especlally anu
tho further purpose Oh pi - nor
nressions and sentiment OF pu S,,rino
sola, s,'u l,.'astiea,ion. from finding pubhci'y.
'iie - Cia1rman Morgan is credited WIN
- tr,antion to insist upon the u'ihos' pu
,int,,, ,li as TO the findings OF iae' 60 @
~ 'conclusions OF the commit'ee a, a
t.e 80 heen collected and prepareu
for submission to the senate
THE MISSING LETTERS
u.o ,,yo letters which were withnelu
ne .,,a correspondence sent to Congress
~, ho col1ed for by the committee, anu
=. g. Thought that the President VIII not
~ e. 80 ~ submit them. 1t was urged inns
,..roi,g that these letters were absolu,e
-, ,,,'' ,,santial to a fun understanding py
-; - co,nmittee of the condition OF the
country before and after the reNotu'En .ta
tbot resulted in the overthrow Vi
Queen and the establishment OF the Nv
Government ,,,-,.,o.
one Of these letters was from Minister
WINS sent TO the State Department
shortly after his arrival on the islaiius,
ard presumably the one when causeu
the change in the policy OF the admihis-
tration. The other was from niilS'et
stevens when he was stiil IN chaIse Oi
the affairs of this country III ,aI.
Anotber letter. about which. up 10 TINS
,in,e very little has been said, Is one
written by Minister Thurston to Secre-
tarv Gresham just before his departure
for Hawaii. The speech of Senator Hoar
l., tho senate the other day indicated that
he at least had an inkling of the text OF
his letter. 1t Is said to be very re-
'oarl,able document, bearing upon the
subject of international relations ana
presenting some views which VIII be oil
interest to the committee. Mr.. Gresham
NAV be called upon TO deliver this letter
n The senate committee. At all events.
II ia known that an effort will be made
TO get IL,