River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1894-02-22
WILLIS EXPLAINS.
He Enlightens President Dole on Many
Important Points.


He Enlightens President Dole on Many
Important Points
WAsHISGToS. Feb. 81. = President
Cleveland has sent To congress the dis
patches which arrived February 10 at
San Francisco from Hawaii Among
the papets is Minister Willis reply to
Provisional President Dole's letter in
regard to the minister's attitude show
ing an intention to use force. In part
1t is:
"In view OF the above o reply TO your last
communication may not be necessary, nor
would one be made. except from the desire OF
my government 10 have the good will and
friendship OF the people for whom you speak,
which result will, in my opinion, be advanced
by an explanation OF several matters herein re-
ferred to-
November IS S NJ Damon, minister OF
finance. 1 Gifted me IN person that there were
rumors OF an attack that night or the ensuing
night upon the executive building remarked:
1.-THE Japanese consul general the English
minister and other foreign representatives
have already called TO say that their people
are apprehensive OF mob violence and asked
me, the only representative whose gov
eminent has war vessels now in port.
TO protect their people The friends of the
queen are also apprehensiye TO her
safety. do not wish 10 interfere ia any way
with your domestic affairs, except with your
approval II you do not object however, will
publicly announce that the United States will
cooperate 10 prevent mob violence will also
state that there will be no communication &c
your government from the president OF the
United States for several weeks
"Mr Damon replied thanking me for the Offer
and saying tharhe could see no objection what
far toward allaying excitement and relieving
general anxiety. The following morning you
called at this legation, and on being informed OF
the preceding facts you expressed your salts
faction and approval OF what had occurred
The representatives OF the foreign governments
and many prominent citizens expressed them
selves to the same effect Tho action taker
was meant and understood at the time as In the
interest OF peace humanity and good order
and viii after this explanation no longer,
hope be considered an evidence OF hostility
I'm this connection IL may not be improper
to mention the conduct OF our naval forces dur
ing the trying cl-cumS tances succeeding the
Path OF last November. The many rumors as
TO their purpose of landing and attack
ing your people, the feeling OF resent
ment naturally resulting from the honest
belief by large part OF the community
that such was their intention, the OPP
probious epithets that were freely employed
condition that for u time. as Admiral irwin
states, II became necessary for all our officers
going ashore TO wear their service uniforms as
a protection against insult and attack During
the whole OF this unfortunate and regretablt
situation the demeanor OF both officers anc
men was one OF forbearance and self-control
"My government, one month prior to the time
referred to, had given you informa ton negativ
ing the idea OF using force, and had authorized
the publication OF such Information TO allay
any such apprehension furthermore as frank
ly admitted by you IN this correspondence
your government did not itself entertain this
apprehension.
II desire TO state that the only commuuica
lions OF political character which l have
had with the queen we're limited to three occa
s:ons The sole purpose OF these negotiations
were. as you know 10 secure proper guarantees
from the queen az 10 life and property of al
connected with the overthrow of the mon
archy. These having been assured them un
der the instructions OF the president OF the
United States, presented his decisions. set
ting forth the reasons therefor and submitting
10 your government for its voluntary action
Touching the statement that your govern
ment was refused permission to forward 'Ha
waiian government. dispatches by the dispatch
boat Corwtl, II Is only necessary 10 remind yot
that the naval officers OF the United States AND
the public generally were denied such privilege
and that no Inference of unfriendly feeling
should therefore be drawn Moreover, at thu
time your letter was written you were aware
OF the fact that for the accommodation OF you
government the Corwin had been delayed ovel
half week.
las to the requests of the British minister
and Japanese cons al general for permission Il
land troops, they were, am informed. precau
tonury measures against possible mob VIC
lence. This permission is still outstanding
and Is not now and was not then, in my judg
ment proper evidence OF a hostile purpose OF
the part OF our government"