New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-01-21
LETTERS FROM ADMIRAL IRWIN
THE COMMANDER or THE NAVAL FORCES III
BENDS MIIIIS.S COuEsE.

THE COMMANDER or THE NAVAL FORCES DE
FENDs wITI.Is's COURSE.
Washington. Jan. 9.-Secretary Herbert to-day
received two letters from Rear-Admlral Irwin.
commanding the United States naval forces al
Honolulu The first letter IS dated January ..
and Ia follows
81 have the honor to submit the following
port in regard 20 the situation since the departure
OF the Corwn on the 2ith utimo. The military
preparations for defence continue 10 be made 10y
the Provisional Government. and the excitement Is
undated The newspapers assume that l. as the
military representative Of the United states GOV
eminent, intend 10 USE force to restore the Queen.
At the same time they quote me AS saying that
would not obey any order which considered I'M
lawful. also that the officers and under my
command had assumed the same attitude. These
sensational reports are intended 70 influence public
opinion in the United States. and entirely with
ont foundation. Since my arrival ! have care
fully avoided All expression Of opinion. except in
conference with the United States Minister. and
have ordered all my command to pursue SINH
lar course / may further add that Mr.. Willis
has never given me the slightest hint that there
any intention on the part OF the United
States Government to use force In order TO restore
the Queen. Ny orders 10 preserve strict neu-
traty have been implicitly obeyed. 1t has been
asserted quite often that prepared to land.
which is true. but our motives were Intentionally
mlsconstrucd rs Mr. Wells stated openly. and his
statement was published dat We would land solely
for the pun Oqe OF SURPRISING rlot anu TO pro-
iect the lives and property OF the defenccless.
Were IA for cpurs" ~ IN. new SpaIers IN
their cnlcavor to Influence public opinion in the
States. iu's5 WOulI be- fr ana DliSi-
moss would 90 on as usual. do not believe that
ordinary business l. seriously affected az II re-
p1rtrl but no new enterprises Will BE- undertaken
until There IS some settled government.
'.rbc commanding officers Of the japanese cruiser
Noniwa Kan and the British cruiser Champion
called ON m. 10 arrange for landing force 10 pro-
trct the lives and property OF their countrymen In
case there should be- any serious riot They offered
Ia co-ouerate with me and to place their landing
narfies where, in my opinion they would do the
most good Now. IA the general public In Honolulu
is fully aware OF the above fact. ana mas no longer
any aDprehcnsion Of any riot, ana ~ the perSa or
,he Presidents message has convinced every one
lint no force would be used TO change the Govern
,o.ut II is criminal for any one 10 make the mis-
statement referred Foreign Influence. inlmical
m Tho interests of the United States, Il secretly at
vork here As il IL wherever We have any trade In
teree,s and that influence will account for many
ar the misstatements In the papers forward HES
~ nrysnapers covering the period since last mail.
rbe hoaith OF the crew OF the vessels here remains
good. 49, 49,, ro,,or, ,lr,tr,i
- have The honor to call the attention OF the
I,ars rt,on, 10 the admirable discretion exercised
Lv Tho officers and men of this squadron under
Inc most trying circumstances .Notwithstandlhg
,hc Great uaradc OF preparations Tor war not one
c.ea ~ nisconduct shore has occurred, ana thls
.ylonco Of prrfect discipline has been very favor
sbly commented upon by disinterested parties
ashore and aiOat