The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-11-11
TO RESTORE THE QUEEN.
CLEVELIND WILL REPAIR THE
"WROSG" DONE HAWAII.
A Severe Arraignment Of EI-Winister Ste
vens and Admiral skerrett-The
Policy to be Parsued.

WASHINGTON. ID. c., Nov. 1O.-After
the cabinet meeting to-day (Which was Of
unusual duration Qasting over three
hours and halO Secretary Gresham. with
the concurrence Of the President. gave
out for publication a long report 20 the
President upon the Hawaiian question,
dated October 18th, Ia which the Secretary
reviews the events. one by one, which
had transpirod up to the time OF the de-
parture Of Minister Willis for Honolulu.
The report is severe arraignment OF
ex-Minister Stevens, then representing this
government at Hawaii and Of Admiral
Skerrett. who commanded the United
states naval forces at Honolulu. The re-
port concludes with these words:
A careful consideration Of the facts viii.
/ think, convince you that the treaty
which was Withdrawn from the Senate
for further consideration should not be
re-submitted for its action thereon. Should
not the wrong done 10 a feeble but inde-
pendent nation by an abuse Of the au-
thority Of the United States be undone by
restoring the legitimate government? any
thlng short Of that Will not, l respectfully
submit, satisfy the demands Of justice.
Can the United States consistently in
sist that other nations shall respect the
Independence of Hawaii while not respect
ing II themselves? our government was
the first to recognize the independence Of
the islands and it should be the last 10 ac-
quire sovereignty over -A-m By force and
fraud. Respectfully Submitted,
(Sgned w. Q. Gresham.
Though no direct statement to that ef-
feet accompanies the publication Of this
document, it is q lmed that the instruct
ions given 10 Minister Willis, who lett
for his post of duty at Hawaii about this
time, Of being twice delayed in his de-
parture are in cOnsOnance with the tenor
OF the views therein expressed. It is also
assumed that the change of admirals ln
command at Honolulu by the substitu-
ton Of Admiral Irwin for Admiral Skier
rett, which was made to take effect con-
temporaneoUsiy with NG. willis arrival
there, had I'm view the contemplated
change of policy on the part Of the United
States Mr. Willis and Admiral Irwin
have undoubtedly by this time carried
out their instructions.
In his report Secretary Gresham quotes
copiously from reports made by Minis
ter Stevens to Secretary Foster, and
says, Mr.. Stevens statements are utter
ly at variance with the evidence, docu-
mentary and oral. contained in Mr.
Blounts reports. They are contradicted
by declarations and letters of President
Dole and other auneXatiOnists. and by
Mr.. Stevens own verbal admissions to
Mr.. Blount. The provisional government
was recognized when it had little other
than q paper existence, and when the
legitimate government was in full posses
sion and control of the palace, the bar
racks and the police station. Mr.. STE
vens' well known hostility and the threa-
.E.s. Ion 81 frHfr
the Boston, were all that could then have
excited serious apprehension in the minds
of the queen, her officers and loyal
supporters. 1t is fair 10 sag that Sec
retary Fosters statements were based
upon information which ne had received
from Mr.. Stevens and the special com
missioners, but 1 am unable to see that
they were deceived. The troops were
landed. not 10 protect American life ana
property. but to aid in the overthrow
ing Of the existing government Their
very presence implied coerciye measures
against IL. In statement given 20 Mt
Blount by Admiral Skerrett the ranking
naval officer at Honolulu, he says:
'If the troops were landed simply 10
rrotect American citizens and interests,
they were badly stationed in Arion Han
hut if the intention was 20 aid the pro>'-
sional government, they were wisely sla-
toned"
This hall was so situated that the troops
in il easily commanded the BoVernmeht
building. and the proclamation was Feao
under the protection OF American suha'
Al an early stage Of the movement, II not
ar the beginning, Mr. Stevens promised
the annexationists that as soon as they
obtained possession of the government
building and there read a proclamation
of the character above referred 10, ne
would at once recognize them as l'e
Facto Government and support them by
landing a force from our warshlp' then IH
the harbor and he kept that promise
This assurance was the inspiration OF the
movement. and, without it, the anneAa-
florists would not have exposed lnein-
selves TO the consequences Of failure. They
relied unon no military force Of their own,
for thev had none worthy Of the name
The provisional government was establishN
cd by the action of the American Minis
ter and the presence Of the troops landed
from the Boston, and its continued eN-
istence is due 10 the belief Of the HaWa-
iians that II they made an effort 10 over
throw It, they would encounter the armed
forces Of the United States.
The earnest appeal to the American
minister for military protection by the
officers Of the provisional government
after it had been recognized, show the
utter absurdity of the claim that II was
established by a successful revolution OF
the people Of the island. These appeals
we're a confession by the men who made
them of their weakness and timidty
Courageous men, conscious Of their
strength and justness Of their cause, do
not thus act.
The government Of Hawaii surrendered
it's authority under a threat of war until
such time only as the government of the
United States, when the facts were pre-
sented 10 it, would reinstate the consti-
tutional sovereign and the provisional gov
ernment was created Ito exist until terms
OF union with the United States OF Amer
lea have been negotiated and agreed
upon"