The Somerset reporter., 1893-11-16
Ex-Minister Stevens Speaks.


journal, Hon. John l.. Stevens makes a
comprehensive statement of his connect
ion with affairs at Honolulu As repre-
sentative of the United States from
which we clip the concluding portion.
"Secretary Gresham assumes that the
friends of annexation made the rcvolu
ton, and the provisional government
when acknowledged by the nited States
minister only existed on paper. Queen
l.iliuokalani inaugurated the revolution
by attempting to destroy the constitu-
ton by revolutionary means. From
Saturday afternoon, January IA. to Jan
uary Is there was no government in
Honolulu, except in the united and self
possessed attitude of the citizens who
assembled in Il great mass meeting on
January Is and consummated their
efforts for law and order by the estab
lishment of the provisional government
on the Eth. which was promptly ac
knowled by the foreign representatives,
who were familiar with the circum-
stances of its creation.
1t was fifty hours after I.iiuokalani
and her favorites had destroyed her
throne by Il revolutionary outbreak when
exciting hours preceding and following
her fall, her representatives, as well as
those who formed the Provisional Gov
ernmcnt had equal access to the lega-
ton. To all proper inquiries, my answer
was that the United States marines
could not take sides, but whatever de
facto government might exist would
have to be recognized. When | did re-
cognize it, late in the afternoon of the
| 18th, the Provisional Government was
complete master of the situation and had
full control of the city and of the gov
ernmeut archives, the police station be-
ing surroun led and at the mercy of the
| Provisional Government. 1t was small
building, in which the disorganzed and
poWt rless followers of the fallen queen :
paramount the marshal. took refuge. and
they must surrender in a few hours by
mere force of hunger. The Provisional
Government knew its power to possess
the station ut once, but wished not to
take single life of its occupants. 1t
deemed it wiser to await their surrender.
Had the Queens supporters dared to re
sst the organization of the new govern
ment, their only possible chance to do
So WAS during Sunday and Monday of
the 18th and 10th, while the citizens
were attending their mass meeting, Sc
Letting their committees of public safety
and preparing to organize Il government
as openly and as publicly rs at any
meeting in any American city. They
did not dare to attempt TO arrest or in
tcrfcre with the aroused white citizens.
1t was II united and irresistible move
mcnt of the same men, with increased
Numbers that took away the dcspotic
power of King kalakana in 1887 and
crushed the Wilcox revolt for 1889. They
gathered al the armory with their rifles
in hand which were increased by other
arms openly carried in Il carriage from II
gun store with only three men in charge.
The only government that existed or
could exist under those circumstances
was the provisional government. Who
ever denies this has no other basis of
his denials than periured afldavits, n
hundred of which were obtainable in the
slums of Honolulu at 81 each.
An effort has been made to damage
my recognition Of the provisional gov
ernment by dispute as to the hour by
the clock ut which | gave the rccogni-
tion. That is Of no essential Importance
for. in fact, all resistance to HE forma-
ton of new governments practically
ceased more than two days before. Tho
committee of pablo safety and the pro
visional government constituted the only
Hawaiian government de iacto existing
for twenty-four hours prior to my rec0g-
milton, the monarchical government hay
ing completely collapsed several days be-
fore. SO all unjust imputations on Captain
Wiltse and myself will vanish into thin
air and the crime of attempting to crush
out the supporters of the Hawaiian pro
visional government will stand out in
bold relief to Americas shame"
Reports from the chief trade centres
concur in representing an improved feel
ing as the result of the popular express
sion of opinion at the polls While the
tariff uncertainties are not diminished
by these elections, which could not
directly touch the party in control of
the Government, there is IA general cX-
pectation that the ell nges made will b"
less sweeping because of this admoui-
tory expression of sentiment, The
more cheerful feeling was even manifest
for little while in the wool market,
tut it speedily gave way under thu
conviction that free wool is inevitable.
But woolen manufacturers are begin
ming to feel that the tariff changes
which are likely to affect them niuii-
ou>ly will at least be delayed, if not
moderated, and they are showing some
disposition to buy more freely.
s'p ingheld Republican Dem,
'Our policy toward Hawaii should not