Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-12-19
AMERICAS NAVY
without Doubt Prevented
BloOdSh0d In Hawaii.
OUTLINE OF LETTERS
Which Appertained to the
Great Turmoil.


WASHINGTON, Dec. 19.-Secretary Her
bert submits a mass Of correspondence
from naval officers who have been In
command of the United States naval
forces at Hawaii. 1t goes back to July,
1889. and Is brought down to Admiral
Irwin's brief confidential dispatch of Dec.
1, instant, to Mr.. Herbert, telling him that
the provisional government had 1000 men
under arms.
The most interesting feature of the cor
respondence il that which begins with the
report Of Captain Wiltse, commander of
u. s. s. Boston. His first letter Is written
at Honolulu.
1t states that there In a large and grow
ing sentiment, particularly among the
planters, In favor Of annexation to the
United States, but Captain Wiltse says
that he Is informed that the leaders Don't
think an opportune moment will arrive
for some time to come, however; every
thing seems to point toward an eventual re-
quest for annexation"
The bulk of Captain Wiltse's letters
that time forward deal largely with
political phases. On Nov. I, 1892, Captain
Wiltse reported that the queens persist
ent refusal and obstinacy to appoint q
cabinet may precipitate a crisis. As late
as Nov. Q, 1899, and Jan. 4, 1893, Captain
Wiltss reports political affairs as very
quiet. Then, on Jan. IS. Captain Wiltse
makes his report on the uprising and the
landing OF marines and sailors Of the
Boston under his command. He says:
The Fateful Jan. 10.
ION Jan. 10 there was large and en-
thusiastic mass meeting, composed of the
representative men of Honolulu, held in
the largest hall in the city at p. m. On
the same day received from the United
States minister q request 20 land the
sailors and marines Of the Boston 10 pro-
tect the United States legation, consulate
and the lives and property of American
citizens. At <:S0 p. M, Jan. 16, I landed
the ships battalion under the com mmand
OF Lieutenant Commander Swinburne.
One detachment Of marines was placed at
the legation and one at the consulate,
while the main body of men, with two
pieces Of artillery, were Quartered in a
small hall OF central location, near the
government building"
Captain Wiltse then recites that the
provisional government was established,
the queen dethroned and the new authoYi-
ties recognized by the United States min
tsboI. hhyS kHhb Uu6 r6VOiutlOn was
accomplished without the loss Of single
life
Captain Wiltse reports to the secretary
OF the navy, under date of Feb l, ultimo,
that ID his intention 10 keep the United
States naval forces on shore until the pro-
visional government ask their with
drawal.
He says: "There can be no doubt that
the prompt landing of the battalion has
prevented bloodshed and saved life and
property" He also reports that the ISL
ands have been placed under the protec-
tion Of the United States by formal dec
larations Of Minister Stevens.
Tars saIuted Royal Coiors.
The letter Of Lieutenant Swinburne,
who commanded the naval forces when
they landed, gives q graphic description
of that event. He says the royal colors
flying over the palace were saluted by the
battalion as 1t passed.
On Feb. 81, Admiral Skerrett, who had
become the ranking naval officer at Homo
lulu, reported that "The provisional gov
ernment is quite able to administer the
affairs Of the present government, upheld
as they are by the presence Of our men
ashore"
On March % Admiral Skerrett reports
that he regrets to say that there are q
number Of persons In Honolulu who are
greatly opposed to the provisional govern
ment.
On April 8 Admiral Skerrett reports
that he hauled down the United States
Gag from the government building by Or
der of Mr.. Blount. He says there was no
expression from the citizens
On May 4 4Admiral Skerrett reports that
the provisional government seemed to be
gaining and increasing its friends.
On June 2S Admiral Skerrett rstracts
some Of his views concerning the stability
and soliditv of the provtsionl aovsSa-