The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1893-02-02
A BL00DLESS
REVOLUTION.
Hawaii's Queen Deposed and This
Country Asked TO Annex the Islands.

revolution, q Provisional government eStaD-
lished. which has been recognized by all the
powers except England, and commission con-
sisting of Messrs. Thurston, Castle, Wilder,
Marsden, and Carter, were appointed to carry
to Washington q petition for annexation to the
United States
1t seems that on the 14th of January. the
community at Honolulu was startled by the
announcement that a coup d'etat was in pro-
gress and that the Queen was endeavoring to
force hsr Cabinet to sign new Constitution,
which she then proposed to promugate to the
people, The political Congress which had been
in session, the renewed vote of want OF con-
idence, the secret attempt made by the Queen
to secure the overthrow of her own Minister'S
and her secret interviews with regard to new
Constitution, which she proposed to immedi-
ateiy prOmugate, gave hint as to what
might be looked for in the future.
At a meeting of business men held at the
Chamber of Commerce ON that date, reference
was made to the possibility of such action
the Queens part, bot it was not generally be-
lieved it would happen until afternoon, when
doubt was transformed into certainty. The
prorogation of the Legislature was the last chap
ter in the story. 1t was quietly dissolved As
soon as the House was dissolved, Hui Kalai-
alma went to the palace aud presented a new
Constitution to the Queen. with petition that
the same be prOmu gated to the people as the
fundamental law of the country. This had all
been pre- arranged, and it is said that It's pro-
mitigation had been promised two weeks pre-
viousy, and some of the members OF the Legis-
lature had been quietly working up the move
ment. large crowd Of Hawaians had
gathered at the palace and natives were
gathered in groups i'll the yard of the Govern
ment buildings
The Queen summoned the Ministers who at
once repaired 10 the blue-room of the palace.
She at once presented them with draft of tho
Cnnc tuti hei
and declared her intention of promulgating the
same at once. The Attorney General aud Minis
ter of the Interior mediately ly refused to sign,
and two others, though more hesitatingly soon
Joined in the refusal. All the Cabinet then ad-
vised and strongly urged the Queen not to vio-
late the law, b. allied to dissuade her from her
revolutionary course, and she said, emphatic
ally: Gentlemen, / do not wish to hear any
more advice. intend to promulgate the Con-
sttution and do it now"
She also told the Ministers that unless they
abandoned their opposition at once she would
go ont on the steps of the palace and tell the
excited crowd there assembled that she wished
to give them new Constitution, but that her
Ministry were inside hindering her from
doing it.
Remembering the riot at the Courthouse, and
the fate of the unlucky Representatives who fell
into the hands of the mob, the Ministers knew
what this threat meant, and before the Queen
could put it into execution they fled for their
lives. They went to the Government building
and sent word about town asking what help the
Cabinet could rely upon in its resistance to the
revolutionary movement begun by the Queen.
The leading citizens of every political COM
plexion got together at the residence OF Hon.
". o. Smith and held hurried consultation,
their numbers being constantly augmented.
There was but one mind among the gentle-
men ssembled-tradesmen lawyers. mer-
,rI nf riyrIn
and it was agreed that it was the duty Of every
citizen, without distinction of party, to support
the law and liberties Of the people, and to re-
sist the revolutionary encroachments OF the
Queen. The Cabinet were at once notified of
the result Of this conference, and they at once
visited the palace again, but not without ap-
prehension that they would be taken into Gus
tody, even if they suffered no bodily harm.
They brought great pressure upon the Queen
to induce her to abandon the revolutionary
steps already taken, and while her troops stood
before the palace waiting for the final word OF
command, the Queen hesitated. The confer
ence lasted long time, while the result trem-
bed in the balance She could not be induced
to give up her unlawful project, but reluctantly
consented to temporary postponement of her
premed ditated COUP
She finally told her adherents to return to
their homes peaceably and quietly, but to con-
tiHue to look to her, while she would look to
them. and to ever keep her in their love. To
this Mr. White responded, telling tho Queen
that the people would always love her, and that
they would patiently wait until their desires
were fulfilled But NJ kaunamano began
inhammatory address, demanding TIE lives of
the Cabinet which had opposed the Queens
wishes, declaring that he thirsted for blood
shed, but was suppressed. The Queen then
went outside and told the crowd that owing to
the perfdy of the Ministry she was unable to
give them the Constitution she had promised
them but would take the earliest opportunity
of giving it to them. At this the crowd
cheered.
Representative White then went on the steps
OF the palace aud told the crowd that the Queen
and Cabinet had betrayed them, and instead Of
going home peacefully they should go to the
palace and burn her. Attempts were made to
stop him, but he resisted, yielding finally to ex-
postuatiOns. business mems meeting later
formed Committee of Public Safety, to which
the further consideration of the subject was
delegated.
About 5 o'clock, Jan. H. the United States
man of war Boston landed some 300 men, each
armed with two belts of cartridges and re-
peatng rifle aud they were marched up to the
office of the Consul General of the United
States. Here the Marines were detached and
sent to the United States Legation, while the
sailors marched out Merchant street to the resi-
dence of j. Hopper, finally camping for the
night at Arion Hall. The arrival Of the Boston
cut a prominent figure in the proceedings, as
in the minds of many it prevented the promul.
cation of the Constitution.
On Tuesday, Jan. II, the citizens formed into
companies, armed, and marched to the Govern
ment building. In the meantime the members
of the Committee of Public Safety, accompanied
by members of the Government about to be
formed proceeded to the Government build
ing aud inquired for the Cabinet, who could
not be found. They then demanded and took
possession of the building. They then pro-
ceeded to the front steps, and in the presence OF
a rapid y-increasing crowd read the proclama-
tOn. Before the reading of the proclamation
was completed volunteers from the Rifles
Armory began to assemble in force. The
grounds of Alliolan Hall were cleared and
guard set at all the gates. The Provisional
Government sent for the late Ministers, who
were at the police station. Two of them came,
and finally all four repaired to the head
quarters of the new Government where a
formal demand was made upon them for pos
session of the police station. The ex-Minlsters
asked for time to deliberate upon this de-
mand They went to the palace in company
with Samuel Ii. Damon. and held consulta-
tion with Queen Liliuokalani.
The result was compromise proposition,
which was rejected by the Provisional Govern
ment The late Queen and Cabinet finally
yielded Internationally, and the police station
was turned over to Commander Soper and Capt.
IiaoIar with 40 men from Co A. Mr. Wilson