The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-02-17

cautionary, ana only such disposition was
made OF them as was calculated to sub.
serve the particular end in view. They
were distributed that night bet ween the
legation and the consulate, where they oc-
oupied inner courts, and private hall
Rented For Their Accom- odation.
Beyond q sentry at the door OF each post
and the occasional appearance Of an
officer passing from one post to another,
no demonstration was made whatever by
the landed forces, nor was the uniform Of
the United States visible upon the streets
They thus remained isolated and incon-
spicuouss until after the success of tho
provisional government and the organi-
zation OF an adequate protective force
hereunder.
At the time the provisional government
took possession Of the government build
ings, no troops or officers Of the United
States were present or took any part
whatever in the proceedings. No public
recognition was accorded to the provis-
ional government by the United States
minister until after the Queens abdica-
tion and when they were In effective pos
session OF the government buildings, the
archives, the treasury, the barracks, the
police station, and all the potential ma
chinery OF government. Then, and not
until then, when the provisional govern
ment had obtained full de facto control
was the new order OF things recognized
by the United States minister, whose
formal letter OF recognition was promptly
followed by like action on the part Of the
representatives OF all foreign governments
resident on the Hawaiian islands.
There is not the slightest indication
that at any time prior TO such formal rec
ognltion in full accord with the long
established rule and invariable precedents
OF this government, did the United States
minister take any part in promoting the
change, either by intimidating the
Queen or by giving assurance OF support
90 the organizers OF the provisional gov
eminent. The immediate cause OF the
change IL clearly seen TO have been the
unconstitutional and incorporate acts OF
the Queen herself in attempting TO coerce
her responsible ministers and TO annul
.he existing constitution and replace il
arbitrarily by another OF her own CHOICE.
The provisional government of the Ha-
Taiian islands is by all usual and proper
lests in the sole and supreme possession
OF power and in control of all the resources
OF the Hawaiian nation, not only through
the
Queens Formal submission.
but through its possession of all the
armed forces, arms and ammunitions,
public offices and administration of law,
unopposed by any adherence of the late
government.
On the first instant, subsequent to the
departure of the Hawaiian special COM
nissioners, the United States minister al
honolulu, at the request OF the provision
II government, placed the Hawaiian gov
rnment under the protection of the
United states to ensure the security of
ife and property during the pending ne
gotiations at Washington, and without
interfering with the administration OF
public affairs by the said government.
An instruction has been sent TO the
Minister commanding his action in so far
ls IL lay within the purview of standing
instructions to the Legation and TO the
naval commanders of the United States
in Hawaiian waters and tended to coop.
rate with the administration of affairs
~ the provisional government; but dis
ivowing any steps in excess of such in
itructions whereby the authority and
Jower OF the United States might appear
have been asserted TO the impairment
II the independent sovereignty OF the Ha-
Saiian government by the assumption of
4 formal protectorate.
In this condition OF things, the five
commissioners named by the provisional
government OF the Hawaiian islands,
reached Washington on the third instant,
bearing authentic letters from the Ha-
waiian government accrediting them To
the President, and comforting upon them
full powers TO negotiate for the union OF
the Hawaiian islands 10 the United States.
On the fourth instant, the commission
ers were accorded an interview with the
undersigned, at the request of the regu-
larly accredited Hawaiian minister, Mr..
j. Mott Smith, and submitted TO me their
H.. s,l- III
of events leading up to and connected
with the
Overthrow of the Monarchy
and the Establishment OF the provisional
government. At a second conference, on
the same day, the commissioners submit
ted TO the undersigned the proposition OF
the provisional government, containing
the terms upon which that government
desired the annexation of the Hawaiian
islands TO the United States. A copy OF
this proposition is enclosed. Frequent
conferences have since been held at the
department of state, and all questions
connected with the subject have been
carefully examined and discussed, until a
concurrence OF views, on the part of the
negotiating parties, was reached on the
eleventh instant. In drafting and agree
ing upon the treaty now transmitted, the
undersigned has sought, under your di-
rection, to effect thereby the annexation
OF the Hawaiian islands to the United
States, with as few conditions as possible,
and with full reservation to Congress of
its legislative prerogatives
1t Is gratifying to be able to state that
pending the negotiations leading up to
the treaty herewith submitted, the under
signed has received such assurances from
the representatives of the leading powers
OF the world and from our own ministers
aboard, as leads TO the conviction that the
incorporation OF the Hawaiian islands in
to our Union will be regarded by these
powers with satisfaction or ready acquies-
cence.
Respectfully submitted,
join w. FOSTER,
Department OF State, Washington, d. c.
Eah Il 1907