Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-12-28
rHE nAWAIiAN INouInr.
Two Residents OF the Islands Appel
Before the Senate Committee, Yesterda

Two Residents OF the Islands Appear
Before the Senate Committee, Yesterday
Morning.
United Press Dispatch by Special Wires.
WAsHISGToN, d. g., Dec. 2T.-The
b-committee of the Senate on foreign
relations, which was CHARGED with the
inquiry to the events leading up TO the
revolution in Hawaii, the installation
of the provisional government and the
conduct Of the executive branch of this
government in the matter met promptly
at ~ O'Clock this morning at the Capitol.
The members present were Senator
Morgan, chairman, and Senators Gray
of Delaware, Frye OF Maine and Sher.
man of Ohio.
When the eommitte assembled there
were two gentlemen in waiting in the
ante-room. They were present in re-
sponse to an intimation from some of
the members of the subcommittee that
they might be called upon for state
meuts to-day. 1t hardly seemed posi-
BILE yesterday that the committee should
progress so rapidly with the work in
hand as to be able to begin to take testi-
mony so soon.
When it was found that at least two
witnesses stood ready to respond at any
moment they were requested to be pre-
sent. They were the Rev. O. z. Emer-
son and Surveyor General Alexander,
both citizens Of Hawaii and both be-
lieved to be in strong sympathy with
the provisional cause.
The Rev. o. Z. Emerson is a native
of Hawaii, but was educated in the
United States. He is at present secre.
tary of the Hawaiian board of missions.
MIR. Alexander has been in Washington
for few weeks past and has been stop
ping temporarily at the Hawaiian lega-
ton here.
MIR. Emerson was the first witness
called, and in answer to the call he dis
appeared behind the closed and guarded
doors Of tho inner room. Mr.. Emerson
intends TO stop in Washington only a
few days, and it was with view to his
accommodation that the subcommittee
decided TO hear his statement to-day.
Mr.. Emerson is about AS years of age,
and told the subcommittee that he had
spent nearly all the years of his life on
Hawaiian islands. lie was well &C
quainted with King Kalaukue AMI des-
cribed the many stirring events OF the
troubled reign of that potentate, treat
ing of the revision Of the constitution to
which Commissioner Blount in his re-
port, attributes nearly all of the troubles
that have since occurred on the islands.
He was in Honolulu during the revolu-
ton and told the commissioner Of events
attending it, of which he said he was an
eye witness.
Mr.. Emerson, in his capacity of sec
rotary of the Hawaiian Missionary
Board, had occasion to travel extern
sively over the islands and was in con-
sequence well acquainted with the peo-
pie and their characteristics. His office
or headquarters were in Honolulu and
1t happened that at the time of the over
throw of the Queen he was in that city.
1t is said that Mr.. Emerson's picture
of the scene was quite graphic and his
views were expressed with all the vigor
of man who believed what he was
saying. He is said to have testified that
thore were threats of harm to indi-
viduals and that the people were fearful
of attempted outrage and incendiarism.
For this reason and for the purpose of
protecting Americans and their prop
erty, btr. Emerson said, the United
States marines and sailors were brought
ashore. He was positive they took no
part in the overthrow of the Queen and
lent no aid to the men who established
the provisional government.
Mr.. Emerson has q personal acquaint-
ance with the men at the head of the
existing government and paid them a
high tribute as men of honor and in
tegrity. He remained in Hawaii until
after the departure of Mr.. Blount, COM
Ing to the United States in order to at
tend the religious congress at the Worlds
Fair. He left the islands little before
the arrival of Minister Willis.