Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-12-19

ing OF a sword or the firing Of shot
ny process every step OF which. Il may
safely be asserted, Is directly traceable
! 70 and dependent for its success upon
we agency OF the United States, acting
! through its diplomatic and naval repre-
| sentatives. but fof the notorious ,redI.
leotions OF the United States Minister for
| annexation the Committee of Safety.
| Wheh should be called the Committee
oil Annexation, would never have existed.
bot Tor the landing OF United States
| ioIoes upon false pretexts respecting the
uahser 20 life and property. the commit
| zee wouid never have exposed themselves
lne pains and penalties OF treason by
Undertaking the subverslon OF the Queens
government But for the presence OF
United States forces in the Immediate
| Nicini'y and In position TO afford all need
| "a protection and support, the committee
would not have proclaimed the Provis-
iohal Government from the steps Of the
government Building And finally. but
1 lot the iawiess occupation OF Honolulu
| under false pretexts by the United States
forces. and but for Minister stevens's
! recognition OF the Provisional Govern
! nent when the United States forces were
| Its sole support and constituted its only
| military strength. the Queen and her
government would never have yielded to
the Provisional Government even for n
time, and she did 20 finally for the sole
| purpose Of submitting her case 10 the
! enlightened Justice OF the United States"
ANNEXATION TREATY WITHHELD.
Relieving, therefore, that the United
states could not. under the circumstances
| disclosed, annex the Islands without Just
! ~ mourning the imputation OF acquiring
! them 10y unjustihable methods. ] shall
not again submit the treaty of annexa-
ton 70 the Senate for its consideration,
and In the instructions 10 Minister Willis.
n copy OF which accompanies this mes
sage, have directed him to 80 inform
the Provisional Government"
| Mr., Cleveland says here that In his
opinion, our duty does not end with re-
fusing to consummate this questionable
transaction. but that "a substantial wrong
has thus been done which a due regard for
our national character. as well as the
rights or the injured people requires that
! We should cndeayor to repair" andFthat
the United States cannot properly be put
IN the position Of countenancng a wrong
altcr It's commission any more than in
/ that OF conserving TO II in advance
! "On that ground T. cannot allow itself
| TO refuse 10 redress an injury inflicted
! through an abuse OF power by officers
COINED with It's authority and wearing its
! uniform, and on the same ground. IL a
feeble but friendly State Is I'm danger of
being robbed OF its independence and its
| sovereignty by misuse OF the name and
power OF the United States. the United
! states cannot fail 10 VindiCate It's honor
ana its sense OF Justice by an earnest ef-
fort 20 make all possible reparation"
| The President says: IL have not, how
ever, overlooked an incident OF this I'M
fortunate affair. which remains 10 be
mentioned The members OF the Provis-
ional Government and their supporters
though not entitled TO extreme sympathy
have been led to their present predica-
ment Of revolt against the Government
OF the Queen by the indefensible en-
enlargement and assistance Of our
diplomatic representative. This fact may
entitle them 10 claim that IN our effort
10 rectify the wrong committed come re-
gard should be had for their safety.
This sentiment Ia strongly seconded by
my anxiety to do nothing which swOuld
invite harsh relations on the part OF the
Queen, or violence and bloodshed in any
quarter. In behalf OF the Queen. "a well
as her enemies. ! would be willing 10
adopt such a course as would meet these
conditions and I'm view of the fact that
both the Queen ana the Provisional Gov
eminent had at one time apparently ac-
quiesced I'm q reference OF the entire case
TO the United States Government and
considering the further fact that in any
event the Provisional Government. by its
own declared limitation, was only TO
exist until terms of union with the United
States Of America have been negotiated
and agreed upon. ] hoped that after
the assurance to the members Of that
government that such union could not be
consummated, l might compass a peace
full adjustment of the difficulty.
INSTRUCTIONS TO WILLIS.
"Actuated by these desires and purpose.
Fs,I 1t f,sr
plexities of the situation, nor OF the
limitations upon my power. / instructed
Mr. Willis 20 advise the Queen and her
supporters Of my desire to aid in the
restoration of the status existing before
the lawless landing Of the United States
forces at Honolulu on the 10th OF Janu-
airy last provided such restoration could
be effected upon terms providing for
clemency as well as justice to I'll parties
concerned The conditions suggested, as
the instructions show. contemplate a<gen-
eral amnesty 10 those concerned In set
ting up the Provisional Government and
recognition Of all its bona hde acts
and obligations. In short, they require
that the past should be buried and that
the restored government should reassume
it's authority as If its continuity had not
been interrupted. These conditions have
not proved acceptable 20 the Queen, ana
though she has been Informed That they
will be insisted upon, and that unless
acceded TO the efforts of the President
10 aid IN the restoration Of her govern
| mant will cease / have not thus far
learned that she Is willing 10 yleid them
her acquiescence.
THE check which my plans have thus
encountered has prevented their presenta-
ton TO the members OF the PROVISIONAL
Government, while unfortunate public
misrepresentation Of the situation ana
exaggerated statements OF the sentiments
| az our Deopls have obviously injured the
prospects of successful executive media
lion. I therefore submit this communica-
ton with its accompanying exhibits en-
bracing MIR. Blount's report, the evidence
and statements taken by him AT HonoIulu.
| the instructions given TO both Mr. Blount
and Minister Willis, and the correspond
ence with respect 10 the AFFAIR IN haha.
In commenting the subject to the extend
ed powers and wide discretion oil Con-
gress l desire 10 add the assurance
mat I shall be much gratihed to CO.
onerate In any legislative plan which may
he devised for the solution of the problem
before ms which Is consistent with Ameri-
can honor. integrity, and morality;
"(signed1 GROVER CLEVELAND.
Executive Mansion, Washington II. -"
December 1S 1898"
GRESHAM TO WILLIS.
The material points contained In Secic-
tory Gresham's letter TO Minister Wills
Gcfoher 18th. are as follows: The FRO
,,isional Government was not estaDllsheu
bv the Hawaiian people or with their
consent. The Queen refused to SURRENDER
her noyyers 10 the Provisional Govern
mont until convinced that the Minister
~ the United States had recognized ~
a. The de facto authority, and would
s,,nnort and defend It with the military
forces OF the United States. ana that
resistance would precipitate bloody con,
! ait with that force. She was ADVISED
ana assured by her ministers ana by tne
Ieaders OF the movement for the over
throw OF her government that If she sur
,,d@rsd her case would afterward be
t,,llv considered by the President OF me
limited States. The Queen wisely yielded
20 the armed forces Of the United states
80 Honolulu, relying on the good falth
"a honor of the President, when inform
"a Of what had occurred, 10 undo the ac-
,,on 81 the ministers and reinstate her
~ the authority which she claimed as
constitutional sovereign of the Hawalian
.sThe President is satisfied that the
movement against the Queen, II not IN,
s,t,ated was encouraged and supported
| - commemorative of this government