Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-18
Given by Secretary Gresham to
Minister Willis.
TO SUBMIT PROPOSITION TO THE QUEEN
Then Tell the Provisional Govern
ment What He Has Done.
THE QUESTION OF FORCE.

you have received with regard to your OFF,
cial duties it is necessary to communicate
to you in confidence special instructions for
your guidance in SO far concerns rela-
tions of the government Of the United
States toward the defacto government of
the Hawaiian Islands. The President deems
it his duty to withdraw from the Senate
the treaty of annexation which has been
signed by the Secretary of State and agents
of the provisional government and to dis
patch trusted representative to Hawaii
to impartially investigate the causes Of the
so-called revolution and ascertain a report
of the true situation in those islands. This
information was needed the better to en-
able the President to discharge a delicate
and important public duty.
In Line With BlOunrs Instructions.
The instructions given to Mr.. Blount, Of
which you are furnished a copy, had a line
OF conduct to be observed by him in his
official and personal relations to the island
ers. by which you will be guided SO far as
they are applicable and in consistence with
what Is herein stated. 1t remains to ac-
quaint You with the Presidents conclu-
sions upon the facts embodied in Mr.
Blounts report and to direct your course
In accordance Herewith. The provisional
government was not established by the
hawaiian people with their consent or ac-
their consent. The queen refused to sur
render her power to the provisional gov-
ernment until convinced that the minister
OF the United States had recognized it as
the defacto authority and would support
and defend 1t with the military force of
the United States, and that resistance
would precipitate a bloody conflict with
that force. She was advised and assured
by her ministers and by the leaders for the
movement for the overthrow of her gov
ernment that II she surrendered under pro-
test her case would afterward be thor
Oughly considered by the President of the
United States. The queen finally and wise
ly, yielded to the armed forces of the United
states, then Quartered In Honolulu, re-
iying upon the good faith and honor of the
President when informed of what had oc-
CURED to undo the action of the minister
ana reinstate her and the authority which
sne claimed as the constitutional sovereign
OF the Hawaiian Islands.
Result of BlOunrs Report.
After patient examination Of Mr..
Blounts report the President Is satisfied
that the movement against the queen. IL
not initiated. was encouraged and supported
by the representative Of this government at
Honolulu; that. he promised in advance to
aid her enemies in an effort to overthrow
the Hawaiian government and set up by
force new government in its place: and
that he kept these promises by causing q
detachment of troops to be landed from the
Boston on the 10th Of January and by re-
cognizing the provisional government the
defend itself, and the constitutional govern
ment was able to successfully maintain its
authority against any threatening force
other than that Of the United States al
ready landed. The President is, therefore.
determined that he will not send back to
the Senate for its action thereon the treaty
which he withdrew from that body for fur
ther consideration on the 9th dav of March
last.
To Visit the Ex-Queen.
On your arrival at Honolulu you will take
advantage of an early opportunity to inform
the queen of this determination making
known to her the Presidents sincere re-
grets that the reprehensible conduct Of the
American minister and the unauthorized
presence on land Of the military force of the
United States obliged her to surrender her
sovereignty Tor the time being and rely on
the Justice OF this government to undo the
fragrant wrong.
You will, however at the same time in
form the queen that when reinstated the
President expects that she will pursue a
magnanimous course by granting full am
nesty to all who participated in the move
ment against her, including persons who a re
or nave been officially or otherwise connect
ed with the provisional government and de-
priving them Of no right or privilege which
they enjoyed before the so-caIIed revolution
The obligations created by the proytsionaI
government In due course OF administration
should be assumed.
Then Tell the Provisional Govern
Having secured the queens agreement IN
| pursue this wise and humane policy, which
| 1t Is believed. you will speedily obtain. YOU
Will then advise the executive OF the pro-
visional government and his ministers OF
the Presidents determination on the ques-
ton which their action and that of the
! queen devolved upon him and that thew ire
expected to promptly relinquish to her her
constitutional authority. Should the queen
oecllne to pursue the liberal course sup-
gesteo, or should the provisional govern
ment refuse to abide by the Presidents de-
cislon, you will report the facts and await
Iurtner directions. In carrying out the gen.
eral instructions you will be guided largely
| by your own good judgment in dealing with
| the delicate situation.
L am, sir, your most Obedient servant
| VSlgneo) w. y. GRESHAM.
| The Question of Force,
| On December 8, in response to a dispatch
from Minister Willis, Secretary Gresham
sent the following dispatch:
Your dispatch which was sent DER
steamer Of 25th Of November seems to call
| Tor additional instructions. Should the
| queen refuse assent to the written condi-
tions, you will at once inform her that the
PRESIDENT will oppose interposition in her
| behalf; but while he deems it his duty to
endeavor to restore to the sovereign the
| constitutional government of the island
his every effort in that direction will de-
pend upon the queens unqualified agree
ment with all obligations incurred by the
provisional government in a proper course
| Of administration shall be assumed, and
upon such pledges by her as will prevent
| the adoption of any measure of proscrip-
| ton or punishment for what has been done
In the past by those setting up the support
| OF the provisional government. The Presi-
| dent feels that by our original interference
and what followed We have incurred re-
| sponsibilities to the whole Hawaiian COM
munity, and it would not be just to put one
| party at the mercy of another. Should the
queen ask whether, If she accedes to the
conditions, active steps will be taken by
| the United States to effect her restoration
| and to maintain her on the throne, you will
say that the President cannot use force
without the authority of Congress
Should the queen accept conditions and
| the provisional government refuse to sur
render. you will be governed by previous
instructions. If the provisional govern
ment ask whether the United States will
hold the queen to a fulfllment Of stipulated
conditions. you will say that the President
acting under dictates of honor and duty. as
he has done In endeavoring to effect the res
toration, will do all in his constitutional