The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1893-12-01
THURSTON TALKS.
The Hawaiian Minister Contributes to the
Controversy.


WASHINGTON. Nov. 22-Lorin A.
Thurstou, the Hawaiian minister. gave
out the following statement:
AS 1 have received no ofic al information
that Mr. Blount has made a report have not
seen a COPY of IL and do not know what IL
contains except from reading the newspaper
abstracts therefrom- and am unaware Of
the present contention of the United States
government concerning Hawaii I am unable
al present. in the absence such knowledge,
to INTEL gently state what the position and
tlaims OF the Hawaiian government are. Il
would, moreover, be contrary 20 diplomatic
courtesy for me to publish a statement on such
a subject prior TO informing the United States
government of the same large part OF the
published extracts from Mr.. Blounts report
consisted however, of personal alta ks upon
me and those associated with me in the pro-
visionsl government impugning our varacity,
good faith and courage, and charging US with
fraud and duplicity.
deem il propar therefore, TO make a per-
sonal reply TO such charges. combining N self
TO statements of fact, of which, as princi pal
actor. / am prepared TO testify TO before any
impartial tribunal
First before stating such facts / desire 10
call attention TO Mr.. Blount's method Of con-
structlng his report Although he in several
places states was the leader of the revolution
ne has never asked me a question concerning
the sam nor given me an opportunity TO make
any statement although / have at all times
been ready TO do So The same is true Of a
large number of other men who took leading
part in The movement OF last January.
In the secoDd place. his evidence consists ex-
clusively of prepared aftidavits or OF answers
10 leading questions put by himself at private
interviews. no one else being present but the
stenographer In no instance has there been
any cross-e1sminstion OF witnesses. opportu-
nitv to give contradiction or Explain evidence
given or presented as evidence brief eIami-
nation Of the published portions OF the report
shows numerous incorrect statements shall
try for the present however, to answer the
more salient points only.
First-Mr. Blouut charges that the Amer
lean troops were landed under pre-arranged
agreement with the committee of safety:
that they should so land 10 afford sssis lance
in the overthrow % the queen. In reply
there I hereby sat that at no time did
Mr. Stevens or Capt Willie assure Us these
troops would assist In overthrowing the
queen or establishing a provisional govern
ment, and as matter OF fact they did not
so assist | can produce witnesses in
support OF .the statement of the highest re-
sponsibility, in overwhelming numbers, hut
Mr.. Blount has rendered ii unnecessary 10 do
so The troops were landed tn protect Amer
lean citizens and property in the event Of the
impen ing and inevitable conflict between the
queen and citizens and TO cooperate with the
committee and the committee had no more
knowledgs than did the queens government
WIRE the troops were going or what they were
going 10 do
Second-Mr Blount charges that the queen
had ample military force with which TO have
met the ommittee, and but for the support Of
the United States representatives. and the
troops the establishment of the provisional
government would have been impossible In
reply thereto l hereby state that. alth1 b
the presence Of the American troops had a
quieting effect on the rough element in the city
and may ave prevented some bloodshed they
were no. essential TO and did not assist In the
overthrow of the queen
Firsi-The troops did not land till Moldsy
night January 10, after the revolution had
been in full progress sin the afternoon Of
Saturday. Januar, IA. during which the com
miiIee of safety was openly organized for the
avowed purpose of overthrowiny the queen
: cond-There was absolutely no attempt at
concealment from the government of the OBJ
jects and intentions of the committee
Third-The queen. her cabinet and heir
supporters were utterly demoralized, spicicus
Of one another and devoid OF leadership.
Fourth-Tne committee ana their supporters
were united. had ample force TO execute their
purpose knew precisely what theT wanted.
and proceeded with intelligent elaboration.
thoroughness and confidence TO do it