The record-union., 1893-11-22
Snecial to The RFcoRD-UNIoN.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 2l. = Lorrin A.
Thurston, Hawaiian Minister, gave out a
statement tonight. He says: Il am
urged to make a statement for publica-
ton, setting forth the position and claims
Of the Hawaiian Government, and to
make reply to the charges contained in
Blount's report. As 1 have received no
official information that Blount made a
report, am unable to intelligently state
what the position and the claims of the
Government are. a large portion OF the
published extracts from Blount's report
consists in personal attacks upon me and
those associated with me in the Provis-
ional Government, impugning our We
Tacity, good faith and courage. and charg-
ing US with fraud and duplicity.
First, L desire to call attention to
Blount's methods of constructing the re-
port. Although he IN several places
states that l was the leader of the revolu-
tionary movement, he never asked me
question concerning the same, nor gave
me am opportunity to make any state
ment. The same is true Of large num-
Der of other men who took leading part
III the movement in January. His evil
dence consists exclusively OF prepared
aifidavits or answers TO leading questions
put by himself at private interviews, no
one else being present but himself and
stenographer. In no instance was any
crOss-examination, or opportunity given
for contradiction or to explain the evil
dence.
"a brief examination of the published
portions of the report shows numerous
Incorrect statements. Blount charges
under a prearranged agreement with the
Committee of Safety. At no time did
Stevens or Captain Wiltse assure me or
the Committee of Safety, or any sub
committee thereof, that United States
troops would assist IN overthroWing the
Queen or establish the Provisional
Government, and, as a matter of fact,
they did not so assist. l can produce
witnesses in support OF this statement.
I'm Wundenburg's statement, he says
when the Committee of Safety told Stew
ems they were not ready to act, he re-
piled: Gentlemen, the troops OF the Bos-
ton will land at o'clock, whether you
Ire ready or not The reason for the re-
.>yIy and subsequent landing of troops
was manifest that the troops were landed
10 protect American citizens and prop
erty, and not to co-opeaate with the COM
mittee in carrying out their plans. IN
TACT, the troops did not cooperate with
the committee, and the committee had no
more knowledge than did the Queens
Government where the troops were going
nor what they were going to do.
"W hen the request was made for sup
port of United States troops it was re-
fused by Commander Swineburne, send
ing back word: Captain MiltzeS orders
are-Remain passive
"Blount charges that but for the support
Of the United States representative and
troops the establishment of the Pro-
Yisional Government was impossible.
Although the presence of the American
troops may have prevented bloodshed,
they were not essential, and did not as
sist in the overthrow Of the Queen. The
result OF the movement would have been
eventually the same if there had not been
marine within a thousand miles of
Honolulu. IN support Of this statement,
the troops did not land till Monday night.
the 10Th of January, after the revolution
had been in full progress since the after
noon OF Saturday, the 18th, during which
the Committee of Safety openly organ
lied for the avowed purpose OF over
throwing the Queen; second, there was
absolutely no attempt at ccncealment
from the Government of the objects and
intentions of the committee; third, the
utterly demoraliZed, suspicious of one
another and devoid of leadership: fourth,
the committee ana the supporters were
united, had ample force to execute their
purpose, knew precisely what they
wanted and proceeded with an inteIli-
gent deliberation, Ihoroughness and con-
ndence TO do it.
1T is admitted by all that the Queen be-
gan the revolution at noon on Saturday
iTTa a a
stitution. Such attempt was immedi-
ately followed by preparations for armed
resistance and the United States troops
were landed at o'clock on Monday.
IN support of the second proposition,
on the afternoon OF Saturday, in reply to
a request of the Cabinet for advice, the
Queen still insisted upon the promulga-
tion OF the Constitution, and was support
ing 1t by force. L advised them 10 de-
clare the queen in revolution and the
throne vacant, and at the request and ap-
proval of two of them and the tacit assent
of the other two, then and there drew up
8 proclamation TO that effect.
1.-The same afternoon at a meeting of
about 200 citizens the Queen was de-
nounced; an armed resistance and coun-
ter revolution was openly advocated,
and the Queens Minister OF the Interior.
John Colbourn, addressed the meeting.
The Queens Attorney General. Peter
son, and her Attorney General. Neu-
mann. were both present, taking part in
the meeting. The Committee of Safety
publicly then and there armed and pro-
ceeded forthwith to organize.
AT O'clock on Sunday morning, the
18th, told Peterson and Colbourn that
the committee intended TO depose the
Queen and establish Provisional Gov
ernment; that if they would take charge
of the Government, we'll and good, other
wise the committee intended TO take ac-
tion on their own account. They asked
for twenty-fOur hours in which TO con-
slider the matter. l declined to wait
stating that the committee intended TO
proceed forthwith. The committee met
openly at 10 O'Clock, and remained in ses-
sion during the greater part of the dav.
while several Government police kent
watch over the building from the street
g MONDAY morning at 9o'clock the COM
rnittee. without any attemptkat conceal
Ynent. met at my Office. within 200 feet of
fhe police station, Marshal Wilson'S head
Quarters. where the entire police force
was stationed. While the meeting was in
PROGRESS Wilson came TO my Office and
asked to speak to me privately, and we
went into an adjoining room. Our con-
versation in substance was as follows;
Wilson said: j want this meeting
stopped lreferring to the mass meeting
for the afternoon.) replied, IT can't be
stopped: it is too latel He said, The
Olleen has abandoned the new Constitu-
tion idea 1 Ireplied, How do we know
she viii not take it up again. She said
She would., He said, L will guarantee
She will not, even If l have to lock her up
to keep her from doing il, and I'll do it,