The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1894-01-17
GROVER CLEVELAND. "
LATEST TO MINISTER WILLIS.
Secretary Gresbam's Instructions by
the steamer Mariposa.

Secretary Gresbam's Instructions by
the steamer Mariposa-
The last instructions to Minister Will
lis, referred to in the presidents letter
OF transmittal as the only instructions
not sent TO congress, are dated yester-
day They Were sent under cover Of "A
telegram to W. A. Cooper, the dispatch
agent at San Francisco. instructing him
TO forward the following telegram to
Mr.. Willis by steamer Mariposa today:
JAN. T.. 1894
ITO Willis. Minister, Honolulu:
Your dispatches numbered IA to is
inclusive show that you have rightly
comprehended the scope of your instruc-
tons, and have. as far as was in your
power. discharged the onerous task con-
fided in you.
The president sincerely regrets that
the provisional government refuses TO
acquuiesce in the conclusion which his
sense Of right and duty, and due re-
gard for our national honor, constrained
him TO reach. and to submit, as a meas
ure Of justice, 10 the people of the
Hawaiian islands and their deposed
sovereign While it is true that the pro-
visional government was created to
exist only until the islands were annexed
10 the United States. and that the queen
finally, but reluctantly, surrendered to
an armed force Of this government, il
legally quartered in Honolulu. and rep
resentatives of the provisional govern
ment (which realized its impotence and
was anxious 70 get control Of the queens
means of defense) assured her that if
she would surrender, her case would be
subsequently considered by the United
States. The president has never claimed
that such action constituted him an
arbitrator in the technical sense or
authorized him to act in that capacity
between the provisional government and
the queen. You made no such claim
when YOU acquainted that government
with the presidents decision. The sol
eInn assurance given TO the queen has
not been referred 70. not as authority
for the president to act as arbitrator,
but az a fact material 10 a just de-
termination Of the presidents duty in
the premises.
In the note which the minister Of
foreign affairs addressed 10 yOu on the
23d ultimo II IS stated in effect that even
If the constitutional government was
subverted by the action of the American
minister and invasion by a military
force Of the United States the presidents
own unfaithful officials, and that he can
take no steps looking TO a correction Of
the wrong done The president enter
tains a different view Of his response
bility and duty The subversion Of the
Hawaiian government by an abuse of the
authority of the United States, was in
plain violation Of international laws and
required the president TO disavOW and
condemn the act Of our offending Of
ficisls, and, within the limits Of his con-
stitutional power. to endeavor 10 re-
store the lawful authority.
ION the 18th ultimo the president sent
a special message TO congress communi-
eating copies of Mr. Blounts reports
and the instructions given TO him and
TO you. On the same day, answering
resolution Of the house of representa-
tfves, he sent copies of all correspond
ence since March 4, 1883, on the political
affairs and relations Of Hawaii. with
holding. for sufficient reasons, only Mr.
Stevens's No. 20 of Oct. IS, 1892, and
your No. 3 of Nov. 10, 1898.
The president therein announces that
the conditions OF restoration suggested
BY him 10 the queen had not proved ac-
ceptable TO her, and that since the in
structions sent 10 YOU TO insist upon
these conditions, he had not learned that
the queen was willing to assent TO
them. The president thereupon sub
mitted the subject 70 the more extended
powers and wide discretion Of congress.
ADDING the dSsQFdnCe that ne WOulQ De
gratified to cooperate in any legitimate
plan which might be devised for solu-
ton Of the problem consistent with
American honor, integrity and morality.
Your reports show that on further re-
fiection the queen gave her unqualified
assent i'm writing 10 the conditions sug-
gested but that the provisional govern
nent refused to acquiesce in the presi-
dents decision.
The matter now being in the hands
Of congress, the president will keep that
body fully advised of the situation. and
will lay before IL from time to time the
reports received from you, including
your No. 3, heretofore withheld, and all
instructions sent 10 you.
In the meantime, while keeping the
department fully informed of the course
OF events. you will until further notice
consider that your special instructions
upon this subject have been fully COM
Piled with.
GRESHAM, Secretary Of State"
REPLY Of PRESIDENT DOLE.