The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-02-10
the execution OF public affairs. Dispatches
by mail with full details.

| hS"'S VI tne day In the Hawaiian situa-
ton, Secretary Foster said the action OF
Minister Stevens in declaring the Ila-
waiian Islands under the protectorate OF
the United States. was taken without in
structions from the Department Of State
In fact. the movement for the change OF
government was unexpected. and had not
| been anticipated by instructions from
| washington. Mr. Stevens had. therefore.
been compelled TO act Independently and
upon his best judgment as the emergen-
cies had arisen. The only instruction
given by the department was the tele-
gram OF the 18th ultimo, already pub
ished. approving Mr.. Stevens recogni-
| ton OF the provisional government, an act
on his part which had been followed by
| all the foreign representatives in Homo
lulu He had been further instructed 10
| protect American citizens and property.
| secretary Foster stated that American
citizens were the owners of at least three
| fourths Of the entire real and personal
| property Of the islands, and they were
more interested than all other residents
| In the preservation of peace and good
government.
There was no conference to-day between
the Secretary Of State and the Hawaiian
commissioners, as Thursday is "diplo-
matte day at the Department Of State.
| and the Secretary was fully occupied with
| the calls of foreign ministers.
1t Is understood tonight that the Ha-
waiian commissioners are to see Secre-
| tary Foster tomorrow AT 10 A. NJ.
This evening Mr. LOrrina Thurston,
| with tie consent and approval of his as
sociate commissioners made the following
statement covering The statements made
In the letter from J. +. Colburn. ex-Min-
| lister OF the Interior of the late Hawaiian
nA a.. I,
1t has been claimed by and on behalf of
the queen that the late Hawaiian Gov
ernment yielded to the force of the Uni
ted states when ii surrendered to Il g
Hawaiian provisional government and the
claim has been amplifed i'm some of he
papers into charge that the whole move
ment was a preconceived conspiracy in
favor of annexation.
rms statement has already been denied
py the commissioners. but as it is reitera-
ted this morning in the letter written by
Mr.. Colburn think more specific denial
setung forth the circumstances should
De made. In the first place the undsputed
Iacts snow that no action was taken ly
anybody until the l4th of January, after
the Queen had attempted with force TO
abrogate the existing constitution and
proclaim a new one
The uprising Of citizens which finally
Visional Government took place at the
express request of the Cabinet. of which
MT. Colburn was a member, in response
10 a call from the Cabinet TO the citizens
10 support them with arms against the
demands Of the Queen, which demands
she was prepared to enforce with the
entire military and police force of the
kingdom, and after she had threatened
the lives of the members of the Cabinet
themselves.
II there was any conspiracy to precipi-
tate matters in the interest of annexation.
then the Queen and her Cabinet were the
principal members of the conspiracy, for
the Queen was the one who initiated ac-
tion. and the Cabinet were the ones who
first requested the people TO take up arms
against the Queen.
II upon such showing as this there is
still any one ws.O believes in the con-
spiracy theory the further facts i'm con-
nection with the matter are entirely suffi-
cient to negative the theory without
reference TO the facts above set forth.
Other facts are follows: When the
trouble began on the 18th. the United
States Minister and the United States
steamship Boston were both absent from
Honolulu. and had been for about ten
days previous on a cruise to the Wind
ward Islands.
If the American Minister and the COM
mander Of the Boston had been In a con-
spiracy with the Queen or any one else
10 cause a disturbance they would most
certainly have remained at the capital
during the closing days Of the Legisla-
ture, when there was more likelihood
than at any other time to be disturb
ance.
In the second place, If they had been
seeking or scheming for any such object,
they would with equal certainty have
embraced the first opportunity for land
ing the United States forces.
There was ample justification for such
a course to have been followed by the
American Minister on Saturday the 14th.
Sunday the 18th, or at any time on Mon
day the 18th. No troops in fact, were
landed until 5 o'clock in the afternoon
of Monday. the 18th OF January
There being no supporting evidence TO
the charge Of conspiracy and all the
logic being against such charge. the sole
questions remaining to be considered are:
First, Did the circumstances warrant
the American Minister in landing troops?
and
Second, After they were landed. did
they take any action against the Queens
Government, or in any way interfere In
local affairs?
holds to be answered afiirmatively, and
second negatively, and he adds:
AS to the further action of the pro-
visioral government requesting a protec-
tOrate, and the United States Minister,
acting in compliance Herewith and Cstab-
fishing such a protectorate. pending 1ego-
tiations in Washington, news Of whi n
has been brought by the Australia to-day,
would say that having every confidence
in the men composing the provisional gov
ernment. do not believe that they would
have taken this action unless they deemed
IL necessary for the preservation of life
and property.
Although the provisional government
has ample, and more than ample. men and
arms to keep itself in power against any
force whatever that can be raised in the
islands, the settlements and plantations
are scattered throughout the country, and
with a turbulent and insurrectionary
spirit being manifested and fostered by
the native press in the most malignant
and incendiary appeals to race prejudice.
which method of argument is their regl-
lar stock in trade 1t is my belief that
that action was taken with a view of
staying any tendency to individual incen-
diarism and outbreak. The placing OF the
islands under the protection of the Amer
lean flag will have this direct effect.
The protectorate does not in any maa-
ner interfere with the regular progress of
the public business under the provisional
government nor with the negotiations
with the United States Government.
Beauregard Better.