New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-13

istered. and the best government that Hawaii
ever had I know not the influences which IN
duced Secretary Gresham to become an active
agent in attempting such grave offence against
American civilization. justice and law. HIS IN
tense hostility to ex-President Harrison ana 10
the ilustrious ex-Secretary Of State. who passed
to his grave in January last, Is we'll known III
was that which caused him to betray and de-
sert the great political party whose honors ne
had shared and brought him to his present
attitude toward his former associates and their
work.
$50 far as his recent manifesto on Hawaiian
affairs casts reflection upon my official action
l care little except TO the degree that his cruel
and untruthful words strike at the noble band
Of men and women who have for ten months
stood so resolutely and unitedy in defence OF
American civilization. The remarks made by
me before the Chamber Of Commerce in San
Francisco. June /. and before the citizens of Au-
gusta, June 90. republished in The Ken
nebec Journal of to-day, are answers
to most of the shamefully unjust mputations
on my offcial action. under circumstances re-
quirng my deepest anxiety to faithfully serve
my country and the cause of humanity
Perhaps nothing better shows the character
of the Secretarys assault than what he says
about the hall which the men OF the Boston
occupied few days, and until better quarters
could be procured After had made my re-
quest to Captain Wiltse to land his men, as a
precautionary safeguard to American life and
property he and his officers informed me that
their men must have shelter for the night.
Without special information in that regard.
had supposed that the ships marines had tents
Of their own for their customary use in case of
CHI I al a
and sent it by messenger to secure large
hall that was supposed to be available. The
man in charge of the hall was several
miles away. had not known OF the
existence of the Arion Hall until that evening,
when a messenger with my note was sent 10 the
supposed agent of the Arion Hail. who was a
royalist. He returned me a courteous answer,
saying he would be pleased TO let the hall for
the specified purpose. but he had ceased to be
the agent. informing me who had then charge
Of the hall. This required third note and a
third effort of a messenger. which proved sue
cessful. So much time had been thus consumed
that the Boston's marines and sailors were
obliged to stand weary hours in the street be-
fore they were able TO go to their night quar-
tiers. All Of them would have been lodged at
the Legation and Consulate, but for want of
room. whereas as many as possible were re-
ceved. these localities being several streets and
squares from the palace and government build
ing. For the occupato of Arion Hall by the
men of the Boston. the Committee of Public
Safety and the supporters of the Provisional
government n1d no more responsibility IMAM
Secretary Gresham himself" cay 'N =
Secretary Gresham assumes that the friends
OF annexation made the revolution and that
the Provisional Government, when acknowl-
edged by the United States Minister, existed
only on paper. Queen Liliuokalani inaugurated
the revolution by attempting to destroy the
Constitution by revolutionary means. From
Saturday afternoon. January IA, to January
10. there was no government in Honolulu. except
in the united and self possessed attitude of
citizens who assembled in great mass-meeting
IN Ia and tod fb,fr fnrfc
FOR law and order by the establishment Of the
Provisional Government on the 18th. which was
promptly acknowledged by all the foreign repre-
seDtatives. who were familiar with the cir
cumStdnceS of It's creation
1T was fifty hours after Liliuokalani and her
favorites had destroyed her throne by a revo-
lutionary outbreak when the of the Bos-
ton landed. In the exciting hours preceding
and following her fall her representatives. as
well as those who formed the Provisional Gov
ernment. had equal access to the legation To
AL proper inquiries my answer was that the
United States marines could not take sides,
but whatever de facto government might exist
would have to be recognized. When did rec
ognize it. late in the afternoon of the 17th
the Provisional Government complete mas
ter Of the situation. had full control of the
city and Of the government archives
the police station being surrounded and
at the mercy Of the Provisional Government
1t was a small building in which the disorgan
lied and powerless followers Of the fallen
Queens paramount. Marshall, took refuge. and
they must have surrendered in few hours by
the mere force Of hunger. The Provisional
Government knew it's rover to possess the sta
ton at once, but wished not TO take single
life OF its occupants. 1t deemed 1t wiser to adj
init their surrender. Had the Queens support
ers dared to resist the organization Of the new
government then the only possible chance to
90 SO was during Sunday and Monday
the 18th and 18th, while the citizens
were attending their mass-meetng select
ing their committees Of public safety. and pre-.
pairing to organize a government. openly as
public meetings are held in any American
nj IN aft to,
or interfere with the aroused white citizens
1t was united and irresistible movement OF
the same men, with now Increased numbers
Kalakaua In 1887. and crushed the Wilcox re-
volt OF 1889. They gathered at the armory
with their rifles in hand which were increased
by other arms openly carried in a carriage from
gun store. with only three men in charge
The only government that existed, or could
exist, under those circumstances was the Pro.
visional Government.
whoever denies this has no other basis fol-
mis- denals than perjured affda Wits hundreds
OF which were obtainablc in the slums of Homo.
lulu at 50 each An effort has been made to
damage my recognition Of the Provisional Gov.
eminent by dispute to the hour by the
clock at which ! gave recognition. That is OF
no essential Importance for in fact all resist.
ance 10 the formation Of a new government
practically ceased more than two days before
The Committee Of the House and Provisional
Government constituted the only Hawaiian gov.
eminent de factO, existing for twenty-four
hours PRIOR TO my recognition, the monarchical
government having completely collapsed sew
erai days before. so all unjust imputs tions on
captain Wiltse and myself will vanish into thin
ar, and the crime of attempting to crush out
Ine Supporters or the Hawaiian Provisional
Americas shame
JOHN L. STEVENS"