The Cape Girardeau Democrat. (Cape Girardeau, Mo.) 1876-1909, 1893-11-18
A PLEA FOR JUSTICE.
Secretary Gresham's Report on the
Hawaiian Revolution.
a Harrison Government Dupsd By
False Reports of tbs Occurrences At.
tending the Establishment Of the
Provisional Government
The Action and Recognition of Minister
Stevens Premature The Natives
Never III Favor of the Revolu-
tionists-A Plea for Justice.

NV hctton huu hccOKnttiOn OF minister
Stevens Premature The Natives
Never IN Favor of the Revolu-
tionists-A Plea for Justice.
meeting of the cabinet Yesterday.
(which was of unusual duration, last
ing over three hours and a half Secre-
tary Gresham, with the concurrence
of the president gave out for publiea.
ton the following report, which II will
be noted, bears date sone weeks back.
Though 10 direct statement to that et-
feet accompanies the publication Of
this most important document, it is as
sumed that the instructions given to
Minister Willis, who left for his post
OF duty at Hawaii just about this time
after being twice delayed in his de-
farture, were in sequence of the tenor
of views therein expressed. 1t is also
assumed that the change of admirals
in command at Honolulu by the sub
stitution of Admiral Irwin for Admiral
Skerrett, which was made TO take
effect contemporaneously with Minis
ter Willis arrival there, had in view
the contemplated change of policy on
tho part of the United States. Minis
ter Willis and Admiral Irwin have I'M
doubtedly by this time carried out
their instructions. The Honolulu
mail that will arrive in San Francisco
next week will be looked for with an
interest such as has rarely been felt
for news from that quarter of the
world.
The following is Secretary Gresham's
report:
8 erstary e~reshanh's Report.
To The PREsIbEST-Thc full and impartial
reports submitted by Hon. James Blount. your
special commissioner to the Hawaiian islands.
establish the following facts:
Queen LiliOukalani announced her intention
on Saturday. January II. 1893. to proclaim a new
constitution. but the opposition OF the minis
ters and others induced her 10 speedily change
her purpose and make public announcement of
that tsct.
Al 4 meeting In Honolulu. late In the after
noon Of that day. a socalled committee Of pub
lie safety, consisting of thirteen men, being all
or nearly all present. and a majority OF whom,
including five Americans. were aliens. was ap-
pointed to consider the situation and devise
ways and means for the maintenance OF public
peace, and the protection Of life and property"
This committee met on the 18th. or the after
noon OF the 10th. and resolved. among other
things, that a provisional government be
created TO exist until terms of union with the
United States Of America had been negotiated
and agreed upon"
Alta mass meeting composed largely OF aliens
which at . p. m. on the last-named
day, the queen and her supporters were con- |
demned and denounced. and the committee
was continued and all its acts approved.
Asked Protection of the United States
Forces.
Late on the same afternoon the committee !
addressed n letter to John l.. Stevens. the |
American minister at Honolulu, stating that |
the lives and property of the people were in
peril, and appealing to him and the United
States forces at his hands for assistance. This |
communication concluded that we are unable |
TO protect ourselves without aid, and there
fore hope for the protection OF the United
States forces" |
The Troops were Promptly Landed.
On receipt Of this letter Mr.. Stevens re- |
quested Capt. Wilt, commander OF the
United States steamer Boston. TO land a force
for the protection OF thc United States lega-
tfOn. United States consulate. and to secure
the safety Of American life and property. The
well-armed troops were promptly landed and
marched through the quiet streets of Honolulu
with two gatling guns to a public hall. pre-
yiously secured by Mr.. Stevens for their ac-
cpmmodation. This hall was Just across the
street from the government building and in
plain view of the queens palace. The reason
for thus locating the military will presently
An Unwarrantsd Invasion of Hawaiian
Soil.
The governor OF the island Immediately adj
dressed TO Mr.. Stevens a communication re-
OF Hawaiian soil. md warning him that the
proper authorities had never denied permits
sion to the naval forces OF the United States
to land for drill or for any other pur pose.
About the same time the queens minister of
foreign affairs sent a note to Mr.. Stevens ask
ing why the troops had been landed. and In.
forming him that the proper authorities were
a. lie and willing to afford full protection to the
American legation and all American interests
in HoLolulu. Only evasiye replies were sent
to these Communications. |
Declared the Existing Government Over
thrown.
While there were no manifestations OF ex-
citement or alarm in the city and the people /!
were ignorant OF the contemplated movement, |
the committee entered the governors ofice, |
ascertaining that 1t was ungusrded, and one of
their number. a citizen OF the United States.
read a proclamation declaring that the exist
ing government was overthrow and a provis-
ional government established in its place. ito
exist until terms OF union with the United
States OF America have been negotiated" No
was present when the proclamation
was read. Tut during the reading forty or fifty
men. some OF them indiferently armed.
entered tho room. The executive and advis-
DRY councils. mentioned in the proclamation,
at once addressed a communication to Mr..
informing him that the monarchy had
been ahrosated and a provisional governm mt
had been established. This communication
concluded:
Tn, Provisional Government Pro-
claimed.
Such provisional government has been pro-
claimed. is now in possession OF the govern
ment departmental building. the archives and
treasury. and is in control Of the city. We
hereby request that you will. on behalf OF the
United States OF America. recognize 1t as the
de facto government OF the Hawaiian
islands. and afford to II the moral supper I OF
your government, and, il necessary. the sup
port OF the American troops to assist in pre-
serving the public peace
Promptly Recognized.
On receipt OF this letter Mr.. Stevens i'm
recognized the new government. and
n note addressed to Sanford b. Dole, its presi-
dent. Informed him that he had done so. Mr..
Dole replied: /
For Which, Thanks.
GOVERNMENT BUILDING.
HONOLULU. January IL. 1893
To HIS ErceiIency, John l.. Sferens, United
States Minister Resident:
SIR: l acknowledge receipt OF your valu.
The Hawaiian provisional government. and eI-
press deep appreciation of the same. We have
with the ministers OF the late
and have made demand
upon the marshal 10 surrender the sta
ton house. We are not actually yet
In possession OF the station house. but as night