The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-22
HE DEFENDS HIMSELF.
THEHzWIIIJN HINTSTER RFpryrs
TO NEWsPAPER ATTACE,.
srys He Was Not Assured That UncIo
Sam wouid Assist in Overthrowinr
the ouesn-Hls Statement.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 2I.-Air. Thurston
the Hawaiian minister. this e- ening gave
out a long statement in reply to the
/ report Of Alr. Blount.
II am urged TO make a statement for
publication" sa4 ne. Setting forth the
position and claims Of the Hawaiian gov
ernment. and making reply to charges
contained in SIR Blounrs report.
"As have received no Official lnforma-
tion tina; Mr. B.ount has made a report
have not seen copy OF 70. and do not
know what it contains except from read
ing newspaper abstracts therefrom. and
am unaware oil the present contentious
OF the United states government con-
cerning Hawaii J am unable al present
i'm the absence Of such knowledge Ia
intelligently state what the position and
claims Of the Hawaiian government are.
1t would. moreover, be contrary to diplo-
matte courtesy for me to publish state
ment on sucn subject prior TO inform
ing the United states government Of the
same A large portion OF the published
extracts from llr. Blounts report con-
sist, however, Of personal attacks upon
me and those associated with me I'm the
provisional government, impugnng our
veracity. good faith and courage, and
charging us with fraud and duplicity.
/ deem 70 proper therefore. 10 make "A
personal reply 90 such charges. cOnfin-
ing myself TO statements of fact which.
as principal actor, ! am prepared to
testify 10 before any impartial tribunal
Has Kep Mum.
First. before stating such facts. / de-
sire 20 call attention To Mr.. Blounts
method of constructing his report.
Although ne. i'm several places, states
mat I was the leader of the revolutionary
movement, he has never asked me a
question concerning the same, nor given
me opportunity 90 make any statement.
although / have at an times been ready
and willing TO do so. The same is true
OF "a large number OF men who took a
leading part in the movement Of January
last.
"In the second place. his evidence con-
sists exclusively Of prepared amdavits
or answers 20 leading questions, put by
himself at private Interviews. no one |
else being present but the stenOgrapher |
I'm no instance has there been any cross |
eXamiiauon OF witnesses; opportunity |
given 60 contradict or explain evidence |
given. or present other evidence.
Uncle sam b Not Assist
"A br.cf examination OF the published |
portions ~ the report shows numerous |
incorrect statements. I shall endeavor /
for the present, however. TO answer the |
more salient points only.
"First. 1ir. Blouut charges that the /
American troops were landed under a
prearrauged agreement With the commit
tee OF safety that tley should 50 land /
D. ftf nf
Queen. in reply thereto. 1 hereby state
that az no fine did Mir Stevens or Cap
tain WiitZ assure me or the committee
of safety, or any subcommittee thereof. |
that The United States troops would as
sist in overthrowng the Queen or estab-
= hing the proFisiJl3i government and, |
ls matter Of fact. they did not so
assist j can produce witnesses In sup
port of th.s statement Of the highest
responsibility in overwhelming numbers |
bat Alr. Bl0unt has rendered 10 un-
necessary 10 do So The statements Of
Mr. Nurdenberg and Mr. Damon have
been put forward as the strongest evil
ience in support Of Mr. Blounts conten-
ton. Tn AIR. Wurdenberg's statement he
Saws that when the committee Of safety
told Mr. Stevens they were not ready 20
act Doe replied. Gentlemen. the troops Of
he Boston win land az 8 o'clock
whether you are ready or not
HensDn for the Reply.
"The reason for this reply and the
subsequent landing Of the troops is mani
est The troops were landed 10 protect |
American citizens and property I'm the
event 0f the impending and inevitable
conflict between the Queen and the citi-
tens and not 90 cooperate with the COM
nittee in carrying out its plans.
t |
With the committee and the committee
.ad no more knowledge than the Queens
urcrnWent where tha troops We're going
or what they We're going 20 DO. The
Whole gist OF Mr. Damon's long eXamina-
ION is Likewise contained in his statement
hat when after the organization and
reclamation of the new government.
request was made for the support OF
he United States troops. it was refused,
lieutenant Commander Swinhuue. the
ommandiug officer. sending back word.
'aDtall NHtZ's orders remain passive.
"llr BlOunt charges that the queen had
mpIe military force with which 10 have
let the committee and but for the sup
0rt of the United States representa-
Ives and troops the establishment Of
bee provisional government would have
eeu impossible.
elm reply thereto. 1 hereby state that
Though the presence of the American
-0Ops had a Quieting effect upon the
lueh characters in the city, ana may
ave prevented some boodsLed. they .
.ere not essential to and did not assist }
the overthrow # the Queen. Ihe re-
llt Of The movement would have been
v-otuaIlv the same if there had not been
marine within a thousand miles OF /