The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1893-11-18
HAwAII's QUEEN.
Secretary Gresham Urges Her. Res
toration to the Throne.

The report from Secretary Gresham to
President Cleveland on the situation in the
Hawaiian Islands, leaves no doubt what
ever as to the attitude of the United States
government toward the islands and the
provisional government established there
on the overthrow of Queen Liliuokalani
last January. The Secretary Of State is
convinced tiat the overthrow of the gov
eminent of the Queen was only accom-
pIished with the aid of the moral and ply
steal support of John L. Stevens, then
minister of the United States, and the
naval force at his disposal in the harbor of
Honolulu, and that there was fixed pur-
pose from the beginning of the revolution
to overthrow the Queen and then annex
the islands to the United States.
While he does not say so in so many
words. the only construction that can be
put upon Secretary Gresham's report is
that he believes that there was conspiracy
between Minister Stevens and the men
who afterward constituted the provisional
government, and that the power OF the
United States was used to overthrow a
government with which this country was
at peace. The Secretary cites Mr.. Blount $
report to show that there was an under
standing before the revolution was accom-
plished that as soon as the provisional gov
ernment had obtained foothold in Homo
lulu it would be recognized as de facto
government, and would be supported by
armed forces from the United States
steamer Boston, then in Hawaiian waters.
The instructions of the administration to
Minister Willis have not been made pub
lie, but there is little room to doubt what
their character is. The administration
does not propose to be party In any way
to the great wrong it conceiyes to have
been done by President Harrison and his
subordinates in overthrowing the former
government of the islands, In view Of
the ground taken in the report just made
public it would seem that the only course
left open for the United States government
TO pursue would be to restore the Queen
to her throne, and, as nearly as possible,
undo the work of the former administra-
ton. If this is the policy that has been
dllu IL llluiSlGl W lliio -
to restore the Queen to the throne, the
probability is that the restoration will be
accomplished by display of force on the
part Of the United States, for the provi-
sional government will hardly yield will
ingly. Whether the Queen could main
lam herself on the throne without the
support of the United States, or whether
any government could be maintained long
in the present unsettled condition of affairs
in the islands without the Intervention Of
foreign support, is doubtful.
1t is expected the next mail from the
island will bring news as to what has been
done by Minister Willis and Admiral If
win, who is expected to have superseded
Admiral Skerrett in command Of the naval
forces at Honolulu by this time,
ALIENS AMONG THE PLoTTERs.
The Secretary states to the President
that the full and impartial reports submit
ted by Hon. James H. Blount, special
commissioner to the Hawaiian Islands, es-
tablished these facts:
Queen Liliuokalani announced her in
lention on Saturday, January II, 1893, to
proclaim new constitution, but the OPP
position of her ministers and others in
dueed her to speedily change her purpose
and make public announcement of the
fact. At meeting in Honolulu late on
the afternoon of that day a so-called COM
mittee of public safety, consisting of thir-
teen men, being all or nearly all present,
ard majority of whom, including five
Americans, were aliens was appointed to
consider the situation and devise ways and
means for the maintenance of the public
peace and the protection of life and pro
perty.
This committee met on the 10Th or the
forenoon of the l 9th and resolved, among
other things, that provisional government
be created ''to exist until terms Of union
with the United States of America have
been negotiated and agreed upon
At mass-meeting, composed largely Of
aliens, which assembled at , p m, on the
last-named day, the Queen and her support
ers were condemned and denounced, anC
the committee was continued and all it
acts approved Later the same afternoon
the committee addressed letter to Johr
i. Stevens, the American minister al
Honolulu, stating that the lives and pro
perty of the people were in peril and ap
pealing to him and the United States forces
at his command, for assistance. This com
muuication concluded ave are unable
to protect ourselves without aid, and there
fore, hope for the protection Of the United
States forces.
UNITED STATES MARINES LANDED.
On receipt of this letter Mr.. Stevens re
ouested Captain Wiltse, commander of the
limited States steamer Boston, to land ;
force ''for the protection of the United
States legation, United States consulate
and to secure the safety of American lif'
and property" The well armed troop:
were properly landed and marched through
the quiet streets of Honolulu with two
Calling guns to a public hall, previously
secured by Mr.. Stevens for their accom-
mediation This hall was just across the
street from the government building ano
in plain view of the Queens palace.
The governor of the island Immediately
addressed 10 VT. oteNcns aOVAninuuieeeion
protesting against the act as an unwarranted
invasion Of Hawaiian soil and reminding
him that the proper authorities had ncvel
denied permission to the naval forces OF
the United States to land for drill or any
other proper purpose.
About the same time the Queens minis
ter Of foreign affairs sent note to Mr.
Stevens asking why troops had been landed
and informing him that that the proper
authorities were able and willing to afford
full protection to the American legation and
all American interests in Honolulu. Only
evasiye replies were sent to these commune
cations.
PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT ESTABLISHED
While there were no manifestations Of
excitement or alarm in the city, and the