The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-11-12
CLEVELAND rSDonsEs GRESHAM.
The President fully Determined TO
Restore Fat Queen III.

WAsHIxGros CRY. Nov. 1i-James HYDE
Pratt, of Albany. is in the city. There is
family relationship between President
Cleveland aud Pratt, Clevsland's grand
father having been a brother OF Pratt's
mother. Pratt has had previous acquaint-
ance with Cleveland, having often seen
him while he was at Albany Is governor
of New York. Pratt also has family re-
lationship in the Hawaiian islands, and
feels much exercised at the policy toward
the islands enunciated in Secretary
Gresham's letter. He drove out 10 Wood.
ley this afternoon and had half hours
talk with the president on the subject. As
result 1t was learned that Cleveland ap-
proves thoroughly and wholly Gresham's .
letter and all contained in it.
Pratt has lived much In the islands. and
does not agree at all with Gresham's IDEAS
or beliefs as 70 the facts of the case. He
stated TO the president that Gresham's let
ter read 10 him like a special plea OF an ad- :
vocate for his case. His statement that the
deposition of the queen was acccomp mplished
by aliens was sufficient to discredit the
whole letter TO his mind. for he had ac-
knowledged that most Of the leaders of the
revolution were Hawailan-born and the
parents of many Of them were Hawaiian
born, though Of foreign parents. He urged
also that the best natives approved the
present government, and only the disor-
derly element among them desired its over
throw. He stated TO the president his be-
lief that in order TO re-establish Queen Lii
iuokalani it would be necessary 10 disArm
every white man on the islands. lie did
not believe the queen could be maintained
on the throne a day without the
influence of the armed forces or authority
of the United States. The present govern
ment, he argued, was in possession of all
the arms and powers Of authority; had its
forces well organized and disciplined, and
was able to maintain itself against inter
nal disturbances. He then questioned the
accuracy Of the statement that Minister
Stevens and Capt. Witt were instrumental
in serving the revol utioniSts and that the
success of the revolution was dependent
upon the aid they rendered. They did no
more. he asserted, than was authorized by
the instructions Of Secretary BAYard to
Minister Merrill in July. iss7. for guidance
in q similar period OF disorder.
AT this point the president asked Pratt
whether he thought be had a. good Op-
poTtunitIes of information on the subject
as the president. after careful investiga-
ton and study of the subject for eight
months. Pratt reioined that he thought
he had, since he had been IN intimate re-
lations, by correspondence and otherxise,
with the islands for over thirty years.
The president closed the interview BY say
ing be had absolute faith in the accuracy
of ali the conclusions drawn By Gresham,
and that stevens ard Capt. Wiitz had
committed an act OF usurpasion and done
q wrong 10 the helpless power which IL
was the duty Of the United States govern
ment TO undo. Pratt. consented 10 relate
the substance Of his interview with Presi-
dent Cleveland for publication by the
Associated Press