The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-11-23
AS BLOUNT VIEWED IT.
HIS HAWAIIAN REPORT GIVEN OUT
FOR PUBLICATION.
Scores Minister Stevens Numerically, and
Makes Out Clear Case Of Rank In
justice Done the Queen by the
United States.


WASHINGTON, Nov. 20. Secretary
Gresham decided this afternoon to
make public the correspondence and
report of Jas, H. Blount, special COM
missioner sent to Hawaii by President
Cleveland to investigate the revolution
which dethroned Lilioukalani. Blount
arrived in Honolulu on March 30. in
his report he calls attention to his re-
ception by Minister Stevens, who, ac-
companied by committee from the
Annexation club, came on board the
vessel. He informed him that the
club had rented an elegant house, we'll
furnished and provided it with SER
wants, carriage and horses for his use.
He was urged to accept the offer, but
declined, saying he would go to ho-
tel. He also refused proffered favors
from the ex'quecn.
Concerning the position of the
United States in the island he says
Troops from the Boston were doing
military duty for the provisional gov
ernment. The American flag was
floating over the government build.
ing. Within il the provisional gov
ernment conducted business un-
der an American protectorate to
be continued according to the avowed
purpose of the American minister dur
ing negotiations with the United
States for annexation. He directed
the removal of the flag from the gov
ernment building and the return Of
the troops to their vessels.
Mr.. Blount tells how Minister Ste
vens called upon him with w. F.
Smith, who represented that the with
drawal of the marines meant that the
japanese would land troops from q
man of-war in the harbor. The
Japanese commissioner put stop to
the rumors by having the vessel order
ed away.
Mr.. Blount says that "the causes of
the dethronement of the queen and
the establishment of provisional
government are both remote and
proximate." He reviews the history
of the islands at some length, begin
ming with the constitution of 1862, and
the changes since. The whole history
OF Hawaiian politics is followed by the
commissioner. He says the Legislatures
of 1S9Ciand 1892 received many petit
tions which were filed asking for new
constitution. Many were presented to
the king and queen. Discomfort with
the constitution of 1887 and eagerness
to escape from it controlled the cleo
tions against the party which esta-
blished it. Divisions on the mode of
changing the constitution, whether
by legislative action or by constitu-
tional convention, aud the necessity of
a two thirds vote of the legislature to
effect amendments, prevented relief
by either method
Such was the situation at the pro-
rogation in presence OF the cabinet,
the supreme court judges, diplomatic
corps and troops. The queen informed
the cabinet of her purpose to proclaim
a new constitution, and requested
them to sign it. He then tells how the
cabinet refused to sign, and the dis
pleasure of the queen.
Or January 16 proclamation was
issued by the queen and her members
saying what she proposed to do on the
Saturday previous was compelled by
stress of her native subjects. This
was sent to Minister Stevens, to which
there was no response On the 18th
she sent another letter telling him the
present constitution must be main
tanned. On the back OF this was writ
ten the word Declined" also the time
it was received was noted. Blount
saws the cabinet could not be removed
for two years aud it being against the
new constitution there was 10 posi-
blity of iG being proclaimed.
His description of the revolution is
as follows Nearly all of the arms on
the island of Oahu in which Honolulu
is situated were in possession OF the
queens government. rhe military
force, organized and drilled, occupied
the station house, barracks and
palace, the only points OF strategic sig
nificance in the event OF conflict.
The great body of people moved on in
their usual course. Women and chill
dren passed to and fro through the
streets seemingly unconcerned OF any
danger, yet there were sew.
eral conferences held by several small
bodies, some of whom were Germans,
some Americans, some native born
subjects of fCreign origin.
Saturday evening, the 14th of jan
uary, they took up the subject of de-
throning the queen and prOcaiming a
new government with view to an
nexation to the United States. The
first aud most momentous question
was to devise some plans to have the
United States troops landed. Thusrton,
present minister to the United States,
who appears to have been leading
spirit on that Sunday, sought two
mem bers ofthe queens cabinet and
urped them to mead the movement