New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-12-19

what action was taken may not be clearly as
closed-they were certainly in commumcauo"
with the United States Minister.
On Monday morning the Queen and her CAD
met made public proclamation. with houce
which was specially served upon the represent
tatives of all foreign Governments. that any
changes in the Constitution would be sought
only in the methods provided by that ihs'ru-
ment. Nevertheless, at the call and unoer TIC
auspices of the Committee of Safety. mass
meeting Of citizens was held on that day 10 pro-
test against the Queens alleged illegal and
unlawful proceedings and purposes Even a'
this meeting the Committee of Safety continued
TO disguise their real purpose and contehteu
themselves with procuring the passage OF
resolution denouncing the Queen and empo"-
ering the committee to devise ways ana means
"to secure the permanent maintenance OF Ia"
and order and the protection OF life. liberty ana
property In Hawaii" This meeting ADJOURNED
between 2 ana o'clock in the afternoon.
On the same day and Immediately after such
adjournment, the committee. unwilling 10 take
further steps without the cooperation OF 'he
United States Minister. addressed him note
representing that the public safety was menaceo
and that lives and property were In danger ali"
concluding as follows: I'VE are unable 10 pro-
tect ourselves without aid, and therefore pray
for the protection Of the United States forces
Whatever may be thought Of the other con-
tents of this note, the absolute truth OF his ia'-
ter statement is incontestfble. When the note
was written and delivered. the committee. so
far as it appears. had neither a man nor gun
at their command and after It's delivery they
became so panic-stricken at their position that
they sent some Of their number to interview the
n tn
States forces till the next morning. But he re-
piled that the troops had been ordered. and,
whether the committee were ready or not. the
landing should take place.
LANDING AMERICAN TROOPS.
And SO II happened that on the 18TH Gay OF
January. 1893 between and o'clock In the
afternoon a detachment OF marines from the
limited States steamer Boston. with two pieces
NJ artillsry landed at Honolulu. The men. up
ward Of $50 in all were supplied with double
cartridge belts filed with ammunition and with
haversacks and canteens and were accom-
panied by a hospital corps with stretohers and
medical supplies. This military demonsrauoh
upon the soil of Honolulu was Of Itself an act oi
war unless made either with the consent OF
the Government Of Hawaii or for the bona hde
purpose OF protecting the imperilled lives ana
property Of citizens Of the United states bu'
there is no pretence OF any such consent a. 'hc
part OF the Government of the Queen. which a.
that time was undisputed and was both me ce
facto and the de jure government In point Of
fact the existing government. instead OF re-
ouesting the presence of armed force. pro-
tested against II.
There Is as little basis for the pretence that
such forces were landed for the security OF
American life and property. II so, they would
haze Ioan stationed in the vicinity OF such
nronertv and 90 as 20 protect it instead Of at
dis,ance and 30 as to command the Hawaiian
Government building and palace. Admiral Sker-
rett the officer In command OF our naval FORCE
on the Pnchc station. has frankly stated mat
| In his opinion the location Of the troops was IN
| advisable II they were landed for the protection
Of American citizens whose residences and
nIaces Of business as well as the legation and
consulate were in n distant part Of the city.
but the location selected was a wise one II tine
forces were innded Tor the purpose OF support
| ing the Provisional Government II any peril
| % life and property calling for any such mar
| tial array had existed. Great Britain ana otner
| foreign powers Interested would not have been
behind the United States in activity to protect
their citizens. but they made no sign In that
direction.
Whom tbese armed men were landed the city
~ Honolulu was in It's customary orderly and
! neacefui condition. There was no symptom oil
/ riot or disturbance in any quarter. Men. women
| and children were about the streets as usual
| and nothing varied the ordinary routine or as
| turbed the ordinary tranquility except the ia""
ing OF the Boston's marines and their narch
| through the town to the quarters assigned then'
Indeed the fact that, after having called Tor the
| landing Of the United states forces on the plea
| Of danger to life and property. the Committee vi
| Safety themselves requested the Minister 10
noe.none action exposed the untruthfulness OF
their representations Of present peril 10 lie ana
nronertv. The peril they saw was an anticipa'
tion growing out of guilty intentions on their
part and something which. though not then
| .x,s,iro tbov knew would certainly follow their
| o,,o,,nt tn overthrow the Government OF the
| Oueen without the aid OF the United states
forces.
Thus It appears that Hawaii was taken pos
session of by the United States forces without
the consent or wish Of the Government OF the
islands or Of anybody else. so far as SHOWN eN'
/ cept the United states Minister Therefore 'he
| rSSiii,arv occupation OF Honolulu by the United
STATES on the day mentioned waD whoiH WIN
out justification. either as an occupation ny con-
! cont mr. as an occupation necessitatcd by dan.
GERS threatening American life and property.
II mus, be accounted for in some othcr way and
ON some other ground. and its real motive ana
! purpose are neither obscure nor far 10 SEEK
| THE PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT.
| Tho limited States forces being now on the
scene and favorably stationed. the committee
proceeded TO carry out their original scheme
They met the next morning. Tuesday, the lHh'
| perfected the plan Of temporary government,
and fixed upon its principal officers. ten OF whom
were drawn from the thirteen members OF the
Committee OF Safety Between ana
o'clock, by squads and by different routes 10
avoid notice and having first taken the precau-
ton Of ascertaining whether there was any one
there to oppose them. they proceeded 10 the
Government building to proclaim the new Gov
eminent.