Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-19

As this does involve my attitude" I have
this to say:
The subject matter Of that interview and
the circumstances out OF which 1t arose
were known to you at the time.
In the forenoon of Wednesday, November
is. Hon s. NJ. Damon. minister of finance.
notified me In person that there were ru-
mors of an attack that night or the ensuing
night upon the executive building. The gov
eminent did not credit these rumors. but
there were many people who had apprehen-
sions upon the subject. in consequence of
which, as he informed me- the regular guard
had been increased and one of the volunteer
companies would be ordered under arms for
the night i asked him who constitute the
volunteer companies?" His reply was:"They
consist mainly Of the citizens. many of them
being the young men employed in the banks
and business houses Of the city" l then
said: 1T seems hard to have these young
men called from their homes under such
circumstances. as their families will neces-
serily b under great anxiety during their
absef-ce-" 1 further remarked: The Jap
anese consul general. the English minister
and other foreign representatives have al
ready called to say that their people are ap-
prahensive Of mob violence and had asked
meas the only representative whose govern
ment has war vessels in port. to protect
their people The friends of the queen, also
are apprehensive as to her safety. / do not
wish to interfere in any way with your do
mesuc affairs, except with your approval.
II you do not object. however. / will pub
ncly announce that the United States will
cooperate to prevent mob violence. i will
also state that there will be no communica-
ton to your government from the President
of the United States for several weeks"
Mr.. Damon replied. thanking me for the
oner, and saying that he could see no
objection to 1t whatever; that such an an
ncuncement would so very far toward al
laying excitement and relieving general
anxiety.
In reply to the question whether the order
calling out the volunteer troops could not
be rescinded. he said that he would go i'm
mediately to the executive building. but was
afraid 1t was too late to make any change
for that night.
Approved by Mr.. Dole.
The following evening I met Mr.. Damon
at a dinner given by Capt Barker on board
the United States flagship Philadelphia.
when he expressed his hearty appreciation
OF my action, and said that the effect OF the
interview. which you quote. had been to
greatly relieve the apprehensions OF the
community as to mob violence.
On the following morning you called at
the legation and being informed of the pre-
ceding facts. and that. as stated in your
letter, I had no intention of exercising
authority inconsistent with that of your
government, you expressed your satiyfac-
The representatives of the foreign govern
ments and many prominent citizens ex-
pressed themselves to the same effect.
The action taken was meant and under
humanity and good order, and will. after
this explanation. no longer. 1 hope, be con-
sidered an evidence of hostility.
Not Evidence of Hostile Intent.
Paragraph Is contains extracts from re-
marks published in local paper of the
nth of last November. purporting to have
been made by me to a delegation of the
American League" and which you accept
as correct. 1 state now that nothing was
or which could be construed into an un-
friendly sentiment toward you or your gov
eminent My duty. as l understood IL, did
not permit me to discuss with you the let
ter OF MIR. Gresham TO the President, lor
could under the state of facts be question:
ed as to the existence or nature of the
intentions" OF my government. AS n
matter Of fact. 1t was. at that time doubt
ful whether my government had any in
tentions. hostile or otherwise, toward your
government
This inability to comply with your re-
quests should not have been construed as
an evidence of hostile intent" for the fur
Their reason that the information upon both
points submitted to me. had already. on
November ii, been given to your minister
at Washington. and through him. on No
vember "A, to your government.
III there was nothing in the subject Of
your inquiries to warrant the belief that
the United States intended to use force"
was there anything unfriendly in my man.
ner OF receiving o. responding thereto?
As to the written communication, the
language used will answer for itself. CThe
minister at this point quotes the reports of
MS interview with Dole and Attorney Gen.
eral SMITH.
You further. in paragraph IS. refer to
your communication of November % Re
tokfng the general permission Heretofore
GRANTED to the United States forces to
land for drill You assigned no reason
Tor such action and 1 know of none. You
were however. promptly notified that such
privilege would not thereafter be exer-
cised. and to this day no armed soldier of
our government has been landed here for
that or any other purpose.
Under our Constitution, as you are well
aware, Congress has the power to declare
war" As the President distinctly an
rounced that he would only act within
the constitutional limits of executive
power" he precluded the idea of using force
and reaffirmed his declaration of November
IA. delivered through Secretary Gresham.
not TO do anything which would cause
injury to life or property Of any one at
the islands"
Only the Usual Drill
If these visiting citizens who described
the preparations. drill. &C.. aboard our
naval vessels had made inquiry of the
officers In command their apprehensions
would have been promptly allayed by the
Information that what they saw on that
Friday they could have seen any third
Friday in every month. it being the usual
squadron routine drill" viz: Boat drill
fire party, arm and away" requiring the
packing of knapsacks" and other prepara-
tions which you detail.
L append two letters of Rear Admiral
Irwin of the 18th and 18th instants.
L. NO different preparations for land
Ing have ever been made since I assum ed
command Of this squadron than those
made by my predecessor. Rear Admiral
Skerrett. which were intended to suppress
riot and protect the lives and property Of
American and English residents
2. As to the stoppage of shore leave he
explains: Il did, as a matter of precaution
suspend liberty to the crews until I could
ascertain whether it would be prudent to
permit them to land without danger Of a.
collision After coming ashore and having
satisfied myself on that point which did
in less than an hour. the order was revoked
by telephone"
3. ION the 18th of December as the ex-
element on shore was very great and as
quite mob had gathered at our usual land
ing. / gave orders for our officers to wear
their uniforms on shore which Is the usual
precaution taken in foreign countries in
times of great public excitement. 1t Is prop
er to add that had been Informed by Cant
Rookie of the British cruiser Champion that
he had given q similar order"
T. The great guns of the Philadelphia
and Adams have never been loaded since
their last target practice at sea. The usual
harbor drills have been kept up. as required
by regulations. the exception being that our
men have not been landed for the purpose
OF drill since my assumption G; command +"
). THE reply IaItcl IS made by the Of
HcerS Of the that NJ ono On