The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-11-29
OUR POLICY IN HAWAII.
SECRETARY GRESHAM'S RE-
PORT ON THE MATTER.

PORT ON THE MATTER.
In Letter to the President, He Fa-
vors the Restoration of Queen Lii
touokalani to Power-His Report
Based. on That of Special Com
missioner Blount's. !"
After Cabinet meeting held at the White
House, Washington (Which was OF unusual
duration, lasting over three hours and a
halO Secretary Gresham, with the concur
renee Of the President, gave out for publlca-
tion report on Hawaiian affairs, synop.
sis Of which follows. Though no direct state
ment to that effect accompanies thepublicatioe
OF this most important document, 1t is as
sumed that the Instructions given to Minis
ter Willis, who left for his post of duty at
Hawaii Just about this time, after being
twice delayed in his departure, are
in consonance with the tenor OF
the views therein expressed. It
Is also assumed that the change Of Admirals
in command at Honolulu. by the substitution
of Admiral Irwin for Admiral Sklrrett, which
was made to take effect contemporaneously
with Mr.. Willis's arrival there, had in view
the contemplated change OF policy on the
part OF the United States. -
The Cabinet agreed that the dignity of our
people demanded that as wrong has been
committed 1t should be righted at once.
Hence Minister Willis has Instructions that
will permit the restoration of the monarchy
If the Hawaiians so desire.
The report OF Secretary Gresham is, OF
course based on that OF MIR. Blount, who was
sent as Special Commissioner TO Hawaii by
the President, soon after his inauguration.
Mr.. Gresham says that Mr.. Blount report
shows that the Queen on January Il, an
nounced her intention OF promulgating
new constitution, but by the advice Of her
friends changed her purpose and publicly
announced that she had done so. A meet
ing OF so-called Committee of Public
Safety, consisting of thirteen men, five OF
whom were Americans and nearly all aliens,
On January IS created the Provincial Govern
ment, which was to exist "until terms Of
union with the United States OF America
have been negotiated and agreed upon" A
mass meeting of residents, mostly aliens,
confirmed this action. Later the same after
noon the committee addressed q letter to
John L. StevenH. 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 COM
mand for assistance.
'This communication concluded, sWe are
unable to protect ourselves without aid, and
therefore we hope for the protection OF the
United States forces
ION receipt of this letter Mr.. Stevens re-
quested Captain Wilse commander Of the
United States steamer Boston, to land force
For the protection Of the United States Le-
cation, United States Consulate, and to se-
cure the safety Of American life and prop
erty.' -
"The well-armed troops were promptly
landed and marched through the quiet streets
Of Honolulu with two Gatling gums to pub.
| lie hall, previously secured BY Mr.. Stephens
for their accommodation. This hall was just
across the street from the Government build
ing and in plain view of the Queens palace.
"While there were no manifestations OF
citement or alarm In the city, and the peo-
pie were ignorant Of the contemplated
| movement, the committee entered the
Government Building, after first ascer-
taining that it was nnguarded. and one
| OF their number, a citizen OF the United
| States, read proclamation declaring that
| the existing Government was overthrown
and a Provisional Government established in
its place, TO exist until terms OF union with
| the United States OF America have been ne
| gotiated and agreed upon.
"No audience was present when the pro-
clamation was read, but during the reading
armed, entered the room.
"The executive and advisory councils.
| mentioned in the proclamation, at once
| addressed a communication to Mr.. Stev-
ems, informing him that the Monarchy
had been abrogated and q Provisional
| Government established. This communica-
| ton concluded : Such Provisional Govern
| ment has been proclaimed and Is now in
possession OF the Government department
r,l k,,tt fhn ha
ury, and is In control Of the city. We
hereby request that you will. on be-
| half Of the United States OF America, recog-
nize 1t as the existing de facto government OF
| the Hawaiian Islands and afford 10 1t the
moral support of your Government. and. II
| necessary the support OF American troops to
assist in preserving the public peace"
On receipt OF this letter Mr.. Stevens i'm
| mediately recognized the new Government,
| and in q note addressed to Sanford B. Dole,
its President, informed him that ne had done
| 80.
'The same afternoon the Queen, her min
| listers, representatives OF the Provisional
| Government and others held u conference at
| tho palace.
''Refusing to recognize the new authority
| or surrender to II, she was informed that the
Provisional Government had the support OF
| the American Minister, and, If necessary,
| the Unite. States present. that any demon
stration on her part would preceipitate
conflict with that force, that she could not,
with hope oE success, engage IN war With the
United States, and that resistance woulo re-
cult in useless sacrifice OF life.
.Mr. Damon, one of the chief leaders OF
the movement, and afterward Vice-President
OF the Provisional Government, informed the
| Queen that she could surrender under
protest, and her case would De con
sidered later at Washington. Believing
| that. under the circumstances, SUD-
mission was duty, and that her case
would be fairly considered by the President
of the United States, the Queen yielded, aNd
sent to the Provisional Government the paper
which has already been made public.
cat the beginning Mr.. Stevens promised
the AnneIationists that as soon as tney 0o-
tanned possession of the Government Build
ing. and there read proclamation, No "oua
at once recognize them as de facto Govern
ment, and support them by landing force
from our war ship then In the harbor, and ne
kept that promise.
'iThis assurance was the Inspiration OF the
movement.
'sShould not the great wrong done to
feeble but independent State By an abuse OF
the authority OF the United States be undone
by restoring the legitimate Government!
Anything short Of that will not. respect
fully submit. satisfy the demands OF justice.
"Can the United States consistently insist
that other Nations shall respect the indepen-
dencs Of Hawaii while not respecting 1t them
selves? Our Government was the first to re-
cognize the independence OF the island and
it should be the last to acquire sovereignty
over them by force and fraud: ,
':W. Q. GRESHAM"
POISON IN THE PORTER.