The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-01-13
by our consul general Mr.. Mills, since my
arrival at this place. have, ETC.,
ALBERT >. WILLIS


that, we learn that the important
proposition which we have submitted TO
the government OF the United States, and
which was at first favorably considered
by II, has at length been rejected, we
have experienced the sense OF relief that
we sre now favored with the hrst
official information upon the subject
that has been received tnrough period OF
over nine months. While we accept the
decision OF the president Of the United
States declining further to consider the
nai eoncusion paGp0'i'Ga ths prs aee
sent administration, we do not
feel inclined to regard II as the last word
OF the American government upon this
subject. This conviction is emphasized
by the favorable expression OF American
statesmen over long period in favor OF
continue the project of political
union with the United States as con-
spicuous feature of our foreign policy,
confidently hoping that sooner or later 1t
will be crowned with success, TO the last
ing benefit OF both countries.
The additional part OF your communi-
cation referring to our domestic Affairs
with view of interfering therein is
new departure in the relations
of the two governments. We do not
recognize the right OF the
president OF the United States to interfere
In our domestic affairs. Such right could
be conferred upon him by the act OF this
government and by that alone, or 1t could
be acquired by conquest.
This we understand 10 be the American
doctrine, conspicuously announced from
time to time by the authorities OF your
government.
NY position is briefly this: III the
American forces illegally assisted the
revolutionists i'm the establish
ment OF the provisional govern
ment, that government is not responsible
for their wrong doing. IL was purely
private matter for discipline between the
United States government and the officers.
There is, submit, no precedent in inter-
national law for the theory that such
action for American troops has conferred
upon the United States authority over
the internal affairs of this government.
Should it be true, as you have suggested
that the American government made it
self responsible to the queen, who, II Is
alleged lost her throne through such action
That Is not matter for me to discuss,
except to submit that IL such should be
the case, it Is a matter for the Ameri-
can government and her to settle between
themselves. This government recognized
sovereign power, equal in authority with
the United States government and enjoy
ing diplomatic relations with it. 1t can
not be destroyed by il for the sake OF dis
charging its obligations to the ex-queen.
Upon these grounds respectfully protest.
President Dole then said: "No man can
correctly say that the queen
owed her downfall to the influence of
the American forces. The revolution was
carried through by the representatives
now largely reinforced, OF the
same public sentiment which forced
the monarchy to its knees, in 1887,
which suppressed the insurrection
of 1889 and which for 20 years has been
laboring for representative government ia
this country.
II the American forces had been absent
the resolution would have taken place.
Though the provisional government is
far from being a great power
and could not long, resist the
forces of the United States in
to be impregnable under all legal pre-
cedents. j am instructed to irform
you, Mr.. Minister, that the provisional
government of the Hawaiian islands re-
spectfully and unhesitatiHgly declines to
entertain the proposition of the president
of the United States that it should sur
render its authority to the ex-queen."
The Withheld Dispatch.
The dispatch from Minister Willis of Nov.
10, withheld by the president from the en-
included with this, is in part as follows:
In the forenoon of Monday, the 18th
inst, by e-arrangement, the queen, ac-
companied by the royal chamberlain, Mr..
Robertson, called at the legation.
After a formal greeting the queen
was informed that the president
OF the United States had
important communications to make to her.
and she was asked whether she was will
ing to receive them alone. and in con-
fidence, assuring her that this was for her
own interest and safety. She answered
in the affirmative.
81 then made known to her the presi-
dents sincere regret, that through the
unauthorized Intervention OF the United
States, she had been obliged to surrender
her sovereignty, and his hope that with
her consent and cooperation, the
wrong done TO her and to her
people might be redressed. To this
she bowed her acknowledgements. 81
then said TO her: 'The president expects
and believes that when reinstated, you
will show forgiveness and magnanimity;
that you will wish to bc the queen of oil
the people, both native and foreign born;
that you will make haste to secure their
love and loyalty; to establish peace,
friendship and good government
'To this The made no reply. After
waiting a moment, / continued: The
DftsldtDt hot Oniy tthAtis yOh lis os
pathy, but wishes to help you. Before
fully making known TO you his purposes,
desire to know whether you are willing
to answer certain questions which it is my
duty to ask.'
She answered: 81 am willing"
then asked her: "Should you be re-
stored TO the throne, would you grant full
amnesty as to life and property to all
those persons who have been or who arc
now in the provisional government, or
who have been instrumental in the over
throw of your government?
She hesitated moment, and then slowly
and calmly answered: "There are certain
laws OF my government by which / shall
abide. NV decisions would be as the law
directs, that such persons should be
beheaded and their property confiscated
TO the government"
then said, repeating very distinctly
her words ''It Is your feeling that the
people should be beheaded and their prop
erty confiscated?'
She replied: "It is."
Ithen said to her: "Do you fully un-
derstand the meaning OF everv word
which I have said 60 you and OF every