The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1893-01-29
Monarchical Government in Hawaii
Is Overthrown and Annexa-
tion Much Desired.
The Queen Was Becoming Arbi-
trary and Endeavored to Ex-
tend Royal Prerogatives.
Provisional Government Established and
Com m issiOn Sent to Warrington
to Negotiato Annexation.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.--Mott Smith,
Hawaiian minister. has received and official
dispatch to the effect that the Hawaiian
government has been ovetthrown and COM
mssioners from the new government are
on the wav from San Francisco to Wash
ington to ask that Hawaii be annexed to
the United States. The state and navy de-
partments have beea officially informed OF
the revolution. The story OF the revolution
is as follows: Queen Liioukalani at
tempted, Jan. 15, to promulgate new con-
stitution depriving foreigners of the fran
chise. abrogating the house OF nobles and
giving her power to oppoint a new house.
The foreign residents at once appointed u
committee of safety of thirteen who called
II mass meeting which unanimously con-
demned the action of the queen, authorized
the committee to take whatever action was
necessary for public safety. On the 18th
tho committee issued a proclamation
recountinQ the history OF the islands, calling
attention to the misru!e Of native monarchs,
recitinR the repeated attempts of the queen
to extend royal preroa aatives. to abridge the
rights of the people. and declaring that un-
loss radical measures are taken the credit
damaged, would be wrecked and the guar
antees of protection to hfo and property
steadily decrease.
Therefore. the monarchical system of
government was declared abrogated and a
provisional government established till the
terms of union with the United States could
be negotiated and agreed on, such provi-
sional government to consist of s. d. Dole
j. s. King, P. G. Jones, W. q. Smith, to ad-
minister the various executive departments,
with the first named as president and with
an advisory council of sixteen members
with general legislative powers. Aside from
the queen and her immediate officers, the
old government was requested to continue
in the performance of the respective duties
Existing laws not inconsistent with the
proclamation are continued in force.
The queen and cabinet yielded uncon-
ditionally. The government building was
government was sustained by the bayonets
of volunteers. Things looked squally for
time. The first move was ths present
alton of the new constitution to the queen
by the native legislature. 1t was really the
old constitution which gave the sovereign
la ge powers. The queen then summoned
the cabinet and demanded that they sign
the document. They refused, even though
the queen threatened to declare the fact 20
the natives waiting outside, which was
equivalent to u threat that she would allow
the natives to massacre them. At last, how
ever, she Gained down somewhat, made an
atfectionate and rather pacific speech to
the natives. About this time 300 armed
| sailors and marines from the United States
cruiser Boston marched up tho street to
the United States consulate. 1t is believed
that but for the timely presence Of this
vessel there might have been a general
massacre OF foreigners.