Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1893-11-16
"A PLEA FOR JUSTICE.
Secretary dresham's Report on the
Hawaiian Revolution.
me Harrison Government Dups0 By
False Reports of tbs Occurrences At
tending the Establishment of the
Provisional Government.
The Action and Recognition of Minister
Stevens Premature The Natives
Never In Favor of the Revolu-
tioniats-A Plea for Justice.

ing over three hours and a half Score
tary Gresham, with the concurrence
of the president gave out for publica
tion the following report, which it will
be noted, bears date some weeks back
Though no direct statement to that eff
feet accompanies the publication o
this most important document, it is as
sumed that the instructions given t.
Minister Willis, who left for his pos
of duty at Hawaii just about this tim,
after being twice delayed in his de
parture, were in sequence of the tenor
of views therein expressed. 1t is alst
assumed that the change of admiral:
in command at Honolulu by the sub
stitution of Admiral Irwin for Admira
Skerrett, which was made to take
effect contemporaneously with Minis
ter Willis arrival there, had in view
the contemplated change of policy or
the part of the United States Minis
ter Willis and Admiral Irwin have un.
doubtedly by, this time carried out
their instructions. The Honolulu
mail that will arrive in San Francisco
next week will be looked for with an
interest such as has rarely been fel,
for news from that quarter of the
world.
The following is Secretary Gresham's
report:
Secretary Gresham's Report.
To THE PREsIDENG-The full and impartial
reports submitted by Hon. James Blount. your
special commissioner to the Hawaiian islands
establish the following facts:
Queen Liiioukalani announced her intention
on Saturday. January IA. 1898. to proclaim new
constitution. but the opposition of the minis
her purpose and make public announcement OF
that fact
At meeting in Honolulu late in the after
noon of that day. So-caled committee of pub
lie safety, consisting OF thirteen men, being all
or nearly all present and a majority OF whom,
including five Americans were aliens, was ap-
pointed Ito consider the situation and devise
ways and means for the maintenance Of public
peace. and the protection of life and property
This committee met on the 18th. or the after
noon of the 18th. and resolved, among other
things. that q provisional government be
created Ito exist until terms OF union with the
United States of America had been negotiated
and agreed upon"
Alta mass meeting composed largely of aliens
which assembled ut p m on the last-named
day, the queen and her supporters were con-
demned and denounced. and the committee
was continued and all its acts approved.
Asked Protection of the United States
Forces.
Late on the same afternoon the committee
addressed n letter to John l.. Stevens, the
American minister at Honolulu. stating that
the lives and property of the people were in
peril. and appealing to him and the United
States forces ut his hands for assistance. This
communication concluded that I'VE are unable
to protect ourselves without aid. and there
fore hope for the protection OF the United
States forces
The Troops were, Promptly Landed.
On receipt Of this letter Mr.. Stevens re-
Quested Capt. Wilt. commander of the
United States steamer Boston, to land a force
'for the protection of the United States lega-
tion, United States consulate, and to secure
the safety of American life and property. The
well-armed troops were promptly landed and
marched through the quiet streets of Honolulu
with two gatliug guns to public hall. pre-
viously secured by Mr.. Stevens for their ac-
commodation- This hall was just across the
street from the government building and in
plain view OF the queens palace The reason
for thus locating the military will presently
appear.
An Unwarranted Invasion of Hawaiian
Soil.
TIL governor OF the island Immediately ad-
dressed e. Mr.. Stevens a communication re-
ferring to tn, act as an unwarranted invasion
of Hawaiian SOL and warning him that the
proper authorities had never denied permits
sion to the naval forces of the United States
to land for drill or for any other rposs
About the same time the queens minister of
foreign 8HblrS Seut U note 10 MT SteVeQS ask
ing why the troops had been landed. and in
forming him that the proper authorities were
able and willing to afford full protection to the
American legation and all American interests
in Hoioiulu. Only evastve replies were sent
to these communications.
Declared the Existing Government Over
thrown.
While there were no manifestations of ex-
citement alarm in the city and the people
were ignorant OF the contemplated movement.
the committee entered the governors office,
ascertaining that it was unguarded. and one of
their number q citizen OF the United States,
read a proclamation declaring that the exist
ing government was overthrow and proviS
ional government established in it's place. ito
exist until terms Of union with the United
States of America have been negotiated" No
audience was present when the proclamation
was read. hut during the reading forty or fifty
men. some of them indinerently armed,
entered the room. The executive and adviS-
ory councils. mentioned in the proclamation,
at once addressed communication to Mr..
Stevens informing him that the monarchy had
been abrosated and q provisional government
had been established This communication
concluded:
Tia Provisional Government Pro-
claimed.
Such provisional government has been pro-
claimed. is now in possession Of the govern.
ment departmental building. the archives and
treasury. and is In control OF the city. we
United States of America. recognize it as the
existing do facto government of the Hawaiian
islands and AFFORD to it the moral supper OF
your government, and. if necessary. the sup
port OF the American troops to assist N pre-
serving the public peace.
Promptly Recognized.
On receipt of this letter Mr. Stevens i'm
mediately recognized the new government. and
note addressed to Sanford b. Dole its presi-
dent. informed him that he had done so. Mr..
Dole replied:
For Which, Thanks
GovERNMENr BUILDING
HONOLULU, January IL, 1893 4
To His Erceliency. John L. Sterens United
States Minister Resident
SIR: 1 acknowledge receipt of your valu-
able communication of this day. recognizing
the Hawaiian provisional government. and ey-
conferred with the ministers of the late
government and have made demand
upon the marshal to surrender the sta
tiou house We not actually yet
is approaching and our forces may be insult
ficient to maintain order. we request the i'm
mediate support OF the United States forces
and would request that the commander of the
United States forces take command OF our mil
i.ary forces so that they may act together for
the protection of the city.
Respectfully yours,
SANFORD Is. DOLE
Chairman of the executive committee.
The Queen and Her Counsellors.
The station house was occupied by a we'll.
armed force. under tac command OF ! rcSolute
capable officer.
The same afternoon the queen, her minis
ters. representatives of the provisional gov
ernment and others held conference at the
palace. refusing to recognize the new authority
or surrender to it. She was informed that the
provisional government had the support Of
fha American minister. and IL necessary