The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-11-11
WELL DONE, GRESHAM
His Remarkably Clear State
ment Regarding Hawaii.
A oIsHoNoRABLE TRANSACTION
Many Lies We're Told Cleveland to
Induce Him to Annex the
Islands.
DIsHoNoRABLE TRANSACTION
Associated Press.

Associated Press.
Washington, Nov. 10.-The letter Of
Secretary Gresham to the president
dated the 18th of October, concerning
Hawaiian affairs has been given out
for publication. In it he takes the
ground that the marines landed from
the United States steamer Boston a.
the time of the revolution were moi
landed to protect American life and
property, but to aid in overthrowing
the existing government. Their pres
ence, he says, implied coercive meas
ures against it The provisional gov
ernment was established by the action
of the American minister, and the pres
ence of troops landed from the Boston,
and it's continued existence is due to
the belief of the Hawaiians that in the
effort to overthrow it they would en-
counter the armed forces of the United
States. Secretary Gresham thinks that
the great wrong thus accomplished
should be undone by restoring the leg
itimate governments Nothing short of
that will satisfy the demands of JUS
tice.
The letter says: Full and impartial
reports submitted by Hon. James H.
Blount,S your special commissioner to
the Hawaiian Islands, establishes the
following facts Queen Lillioukalani
announced her intention on Saturday,
January 14th, 1S93 to proclaim a new
constitution but the opposition of her
ministers and others induced her to
speedily change her purpose and to
make public announcement of the fact.
AT meeting in Honolulu that day a
so-called commission of public safety.
consisting of thirteen men, the major
ity of whom, including five Americans,
were aliens, was appointed "to consider
the situation and to devise ways and
iAANetiio lOl lllC VI
peace, and the protection of-life and
property" This committee resolved,
among other things, that a provisional
government should be created to exist
until terms of union with the United
States Of America have been negotiated
and agreed upon On the 18th the
committee addressed letter to John
L. Stevens, the American minister to
Honolulu, stating that the lives and
property Of the people were in peril
and appealing to him and the United
States forces at his command for as
sistance. Stevens requested Capt. |
Wiltz, commander of the United States |
steamship Boston, TO land his forces |
for the protection of the United States |
legation, the United States consulate. |
and to secure the safety of American |
life and property Well armed troops |
were promptly landed, and marched
through the quiet streets of Honolulu |
with two Gattling guns, to the public |
hall, previously secured by Mr.. Stevens |
for their accommodation. This hall |
was just across the street from the
government building, and in plain view
of the queens palace. The governor of
the island Immediately addressed to |
Mr.. Stevens a communication protest
ing against the act as an unwarranted |
invasion of Hawaiian soil. The queens |
minister of foreign affairs sent a note
to Mr.. Stevens asking why the troops
had been landed, and informing him
that the proper authorities were able
and willing to afford full protection to
the American legation and all Amer.
lean interests in Honolulu. Only eva
sive replies were sent to these commu
nications. The committee entered the
government building after first ascer-
taining that it was unguarded, and one
Of their number citizen of the United
States. read a proclamation declaring
that the existing government was over
thrown and the provisional government
established In its place-'To exist until
the terms Of union with the United
States had been negotiated upon The
executive and advisory councils men
TONED in the proclamation at once
addressed a communication to Mr.. Ste
yens informing him that the monar-
ehy had been abrogated and a provis- /
ional government established and re- !
questing him on behalf of the United
States of America to recognize, 1t as
existing de facto. and to afford It the
moral support of the United States gov
eminent, and, il necessary, the sup-
port Of the American troops to assist
In preserving public peace. On receipt
Of this letter, Mr.. Stevens Immediately
recognized the new government. The
queen refused to recognize the new
authority or to surrender to Il, but she
was informed that the provisional gov
eminent had the support of the Amer
can minister, and If necessary would