Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1893-11-18
GRESHAM'S HARD HIT
HE OPPOSES THE HAWAIIAN PRO-
vlsloNAL GOVERNMENT.

The United States Government should Re-
store Liiiuokaiani to Her Throne--Iuti-
mates That Minister stevens Misrspre-
sented the situation.
WASHINGTON, Nov. fla letter adj
dressed to President Cleveland by Sec
rotary Gresham is given out for publ
cation. The secretary reviews in detail
the acts leading up to the revolution in
Hawaii in January last and takssstrong
ground in the opinion that Queen Lii
iuokalani would never have been de-
posed had it not been for the landing of
United States marines from the United
States steamer Boston. He maintains
also that the provisional government
has been maintained solely by the fear
of the military power of the United
States. He cites much evidence from
Blount's report and from the reports of
Minister Stevens himself to sustain
this view. THE government of Ha-
wall" he says. surrendered its author
ity under threat of war until such
time only as the United States should
H.
and the provisional government was
created to exist until terms of union
with the United States have been
agreed upon"
The treaty of annexation withdrawn
from the senate should not, he argues,
be submitted again.
"Should not the great wrong he
says, ''done to feeble but independent
-. - L. .ls,,-s s. -
the United States DO undone by restor-
ing the legitimate government?
''Can the United States consistently
insist that other nations shall respect
the independence OF Hawaii while not
respecting it themselves
''Our government was the first to
recognize the independence of the
islands and it should DO the last to
acquire sovereignty over them by force
ard fraud
He says that Mr.. Blount in his report
states that when Queen Liliuokalani
announced her intention to proclaim a
new constitution, number of aliens
called on Minister Stevens for assistance
and he ordered the marines landed. In
stead of placing them in position TO pro
tect the United States consulate and
American citizens. they were placed, SO
Admiral Skerrett stated, in building
opposite the palace to intimidate the
queen. and in that building the pro
visional government was formed and
the queen deposed. The queen abdi-
Gated on the representation that the
United States was supporting the pro-
visional government, but she did 1t UNI
der protest until the United States gov
eminent should decide her fate.
The earnest appeals to the American
minister for military protection by the
officers of the provisional government
after it had been organized shows its
utter absurlity of the claim that it was
established by successful revolution
of the people. These appeals were
confession by the men who made them
of their weakness and timidity. Cour-
ageous men conscious Of their strength
and the justice of their cause do not
thus act.
1t is now claimed that majority OF
the people having tho right TO vote
under the constitution of 1887 never
favored the existing authority, or an
nexation to this or any other country.
They earnestly desire that the favor Of
their choice shall be restored and its in.
dependence respected.
1t is intimated by Mr.. Gresham that
Minister Stevens and the commission OF
the provisional government misrepro.
sented matters to Secretary Foster.