The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1893-12-04
The Hawaiian Minister to
Washington Replies at
Length to Commits
sioner BlouDt.

LeIeslluR feature III CONNECTION VIII the
Hawaiian matter in Washington to-day
was the issuance of Minister Thurston's
statement. designed as a reply TO ex-
Minister Blount's report, which was
given in full to the public last night.
Minister Thurston has all along con-
sidered it would be the best policy for
him not to take issue with the present
administration on its alleged intentions
to restore the Queen until the different
facts presented made it necessary for
him to offer some defense. Thurston
scarcely believed that President Cleve-
land and Secretary Gresham would
authorize the publication of Blount's
report until it had been submitted to
Congress.
The rather surprising action of the Adj
ministration in making the report public
net only astonished diplomats, politicians
and others, but it amazed Thurston and
his colleagues of the Provisional Govern
ment in Washington. He was dumb
founded when he learned that a synopsis
of Blount's report had been furnished
the newspapers Sunday night, and was
more startled when he carefully scruti-
nized the testimony and arguments -of
Blount in connection with the entire
Hawaiian matter. After carefully con-
sidering Blount's statements Thurston
was advised and finally concluded to
make a reply, and the consequence is
the carefully prepared statement which
he gave out tonight.
THURsToN's STRONG ARGUMENTS.
The Examiner correspondent has sub
mitted Thurston's statement to Ameri
can statesmen from every section, and
the concensus of opinion seems TO be
that the arguments and facts presented
by the representative OF the Provisional
Government are strong, and that its
effect will more than ever prejudice the
sentiment OF the country against the
alleged policy that President Cleveland
and Secretary Gresham have attempted
to pursue in dealing with this vexatious
matter. 1t was difficult to secure a def
nate expression OF opinion from any OF
those to whom Thurston'5 statement was
for the reason that the repre-
sentatives of foreign Governments here
are disposed to watch the different de-
velopements in this case without entang-
ling themselves in any way. Members
of Congress are all disposed to be reti-
cent now that the matter has gone so far
and as the whole question will be dealt
with by Congress within q very short
period.
Minister Thurston's statement is as
THURsToS's REPORT.
am urged to make a statement for
setting forth the position
and claims of the Hawaiian Government
and making a reply to the charges con-
tanned in ex-Minister Blount's report.
As have received no official information
that Mr.. Blount has made q report, am
unable to intelligently state what the
position and claims Of the Government
are
A large portion If the published ex-
tracts from Mr.. Blount's report consists
Of personal attacks upon me, aud those
associated with me in the Provisional
impugning. our veracity,
good faith and courage; charging US with
fraud and duplicity.
First, desire to call attention 10 Dir.
Blount's method of constructing the re-
port. Although he, in several places,
states that I was 4 leader in the revolu-
movement, he never asked me
question concerning the same, nor given
me an opportunity to make any state
ment. The same is true OF large
of other men who took leading
part in the movement OF last January.
His evidence consists exclusively of pre-.
pared affidavits or answers to leading
questions put by himself at private inter-
views, no one else being present but
In no instance was there
any cross-exsmination or an opportunity
given for contradiction or TO explain the
evidence
MANY ERRONEOUS STATEMENTS.
A brief examination OF the published
portions of the report shows numerous
incorrect statements.
MIR. Blount charges that American
troops were landed under a prearranged
agreement with the Committee OF Safety.
at no time did Minister Stevens or Capt. |
Wiltse assure me or the committee, or
any subcommittee thereof, that the |
United States troops would assist in |
the Queen or establish the |
Government, and, as mat
Ter of fact, they did not so assist. can |
produce witnesses In support OF this |
statement. In Wundenburg's statement |
ne saws: "When the Committee OF
Safety told Stevens they were not ready |
% act he replied, Gentlemen, the troops |
If the Boston will land at ; O'Clock
whether you are ready or not
The reason for this reply and the sub
,eauent landing of troops is manifest.
rhe troops were landed to protect Ameri-
an citizens and property, and not to CO.
,perate with the committee, and the
committee had no more knowledge than
lid the Queens Government where the
ROOFS were going nor what they were
,oing to do. The whole gist OF Damon's
ong examination likewise Is contained
n the statement that when request
vas made for the support OF the United
states troops it was refused by Com
nander Swinburne sending back word,
Captain Wiltse's orders are to remain
assive."
AMERICAN TROOPS NOT NECESSARY.
Blount charges that but for the support
the United States representative and
roops the establishment of the Provi-
ional Government would have been i'm
ossible. Although the presence OF
american troops may have prevented
loodshed. they were not essential, and
id not assist in the overthrow OF the
,ueen. The result of the movement
;ouid have been eventually the same if
here had not been a marine within 900
niles of Honolulu. In support OF this
will say: First-The troops
id not land till Monday night, January !
9Th, after the revolution had been IN :
Ill progress since the afternoon OF Satur-
ay, the 18th, during which the Com
littee of Safety had openly organized for [
ne avowed purpose of overthrowiDg the '
ueen. Second-There was absolutely
a attempt at concealment from the s