The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1894-01-09

ence to it by Colonel Blount is signi-
| ficant.
'As the first half of Colonel Blount's
report proves on examination to he
the reverse OF a thorough and impair
tial review of the facts, it might be
expected that his account OF the revo-
luton of last January would be equally
garbled and partizan. The pains taken
| by the queen to destroy all known
| copies of her proposed despOtic consti-
tuition shows how much she dreaded
| the effect of its publication, but its
main points are well known. 10 would
have given the queen the power OF ap-
pointing the mobiles and would have
disfranchised nearly all white voters.
An important amendment, omitted
by Colonel BlouEt, was one TO Article
IL, to the effect that the Ministers
were to hold office during her will and
pleasure. No special pleading on his
part can cloak the revolutionary char
acter of her aGt. Her two attempts at
revolution during her brothers reign
and her false and treacherous course
in regard to the lottery and opium
bills had destroyed all trust in her
word, so that her alleged retraction,
published Monday forenoon, produced
no change in the situation.
THURsToN's STATEMENT ACCURATE.
Having been an eyewitness of the
public occurrences of Monday and
Tuesday, the 10th and 18th of January
last, / can say that my recollection,
as far as it goes, entirely corroborates
Minister Thurston's statement. | will
only add few observations on points
that have been passed over by others.
| notice that Colonel Blounts report
makes but slight reference to the i'm
mense and enthusiastic meeting held
on Monday afternoon at the armory,
which was at least twice as large as
the dispirited royalist meeting held
in Palace Square, about three blocks
distant. The general impression of
the impotence and generalization of
the Government that prevailed has
since been shown to have been well
founded. The tension of feeling was
extreme, and the landing of the Unit
ed States marines then, as in the form
er affair in 1889, gave a grateful sense
of relief and security to the white
residents. As il was, two incendiary
fires were started during that night.
"a military organization of four
companies of white men, which had
been brought to high degree of eff
cheney in 1887, and had crushed the
insurrectiOn of 1889, was disbanded in
1890 by a royalist Ministry. This
organization, officers and men, was
now revived and reinforced by new
recruits from the best class Of res
idents. The proclamation Of the
Provisional Government was read at
the front entrance of the Govern
ment Building quarter of an hour
earlier than had been expected, with
only one rifleman on guard. As the
reading was concluded, / saw Com
pany A, composed of Germans, arriv-
ing on the double quick, in company
order, followed in few minutes by
Company B, composed of Americans
and EIglishmen.
1.-THE grounds were Immediately
cleared and guards set, and in half an
hour there were 100 troops present,
which number was doubled before 5
o'clock. 1t was well understood by
these men that the United States
were under orders to remain
neutral. They fully expected to fight,
and their spirit and confidence, based
on past experience, was such that /
had no doubt of the result. A well
known royalist had been placed by
Wilson in charge of the Gov
eminent building, but waited there in
vain for force that never came. A
large quantity of ammunition was
found in the Foreign office, intended
for the defence of the building.
1.-THE wooden building called Arion
Hall stood west of the Opera House,
large brick building, which intervenes
between it and the Palace. II is there
lore impossible for me 10 understand
Colonel Blounts remarks on its stra-
-egic position. Certainly Arion Hall
would not be exposed 70 fire in the
sveDs Of an attack upon the Govern
nent building from the Palace. /
cave it for Others better informed on
he subject to discuss other Questions
It issue, and have confined myself 10
he discussion of facts in regard to
which | have had special opportuni-
les for ascertaining the truth"