The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-01-18
THE HAWAIIAN EPISODE.
Omcer Swinburne, of the Boston,
Testifies Before Senator's

WASHINGTON, Jan. 17-Lieutenant
Commander Swinburne, of the Boston, was
the only witness before the Senate subcom-
mittee investigating the Hawaiian question
to-day. He is the officer who had active
command of the American troops on shore
I'm Honolulu at the time of the revolution.
one year ago, and his testimony is consid-
cred important. as IL bears upon some points
which have been in dispute and to which
much Importance is attached. He was ques-
toned concerning the time of landing, the
location Of the troops in Aron Hall, and
the time of the surrender of the station
house. He was also asked to explain how
the troops CHANGED TO be located at Arion
Hall, and was reminded of the charge made
by Mr.. Blount and the friends of Queen
Liliuokalani that, of all places, this was
the one best calculated To serve the pur-
poses of the provisional government being
located just across a narrow street from
the government building, where they would
prove a menace to the Queens forces 1t
Is understood that Mr.. Swinburne admitted
that a more fortunate selection could have
been made. and that he said he had, previ-
Gus TO the landing, advised that some other
place be chosen. In the main, however his
testimony cOrroborated the statements OF
Minister Stevens and the officers of the pro-
visional government. He contended that
there had not been any conspiracy involving
the naval force. Mir. Swinburne was also
reminded of the discrepancies in statements
concerning the time of the surrender Of the
station house. He said this occurred two or
three hours after the landing of the Bos-
ton troops. or about 7:30 D. m
There was a meeting of the full Senate
committee on foreign relations this after
noon, which was devoted to the discussion
or Hawaiian affairs, based on the investi-
cations so far as il has gone. The members
of the committee were furnished with print
ed copies or the testimony so far as taken.
The proceedings were more or less informal
and partook largely of verbal report by
members of the subcommittee Commander
Swinburne, who is in poor health was ex-
cuSed early, with the understanding that
he would continue his testimony another
day.
The rumor that the Hawaiian ex-Queen
Will present a claim for damages to the
United states government continues to be
discussed although IL is pretty geryeraliy
discreditsd. No such claim has been pre-
sented The leaders OF the House say that
q claim OF this kind can never be sustained
Judge Holman says that Congress would
not listen to such a proposition for mo-
ment The claim could not be based on
the idea that President Cleveland and Sec
rotary Gresham had admitted that the
Qusen's overthrow was due to the course
OF Minister Stevens and the landing of
United States marines, for such admission
would cover questions of fact and would
not be considered binding on Congress
when II came to setting up a claim for
damages.
Representative Raynor. of the foreign af-
fairs committee, says the talk of a claim
by the Queen Is prepostsrous. There would
be no legal warrant for setting up a claim
against this country for such action as IL
saw tit TO take regarding a revolution in
another country. He cites the action of the
United States in the Grecian revolution and
the various South American revolutions as
showing that the governments action in
an international complication cannot be
made the basis of a claim
Representative Hit Republican leader OF
the foreign affairs committee SAYS that
the talk OF a claim by the Queen is more of
a joke than reality He thinks. however
that her claim for damages IS capable OF
submitted some months ago by the Queens
representative, Paul Neuman. The latter de-
sired a pension OF $4,000 and the rentals
OF certain crown lands all of which to
bic abdicatiOn or her rights.
Representative Boutelle, who has led the
the Republican assault in the House on the,
Hawaiian policy, says that if Congress sus-
far pursued, the necessary sequel will be
the authorize ton of a substantial payment
10 recompense the Queen for the failure
TO restore her.
TO be memorial from the Hawaiian Pa
tr1otic League To- Congress, praying for the.
restoration TO the throne OF Liliuokalani
wnnt 10 Establish "a Republic
PITTSBURG, Jan. III. A McCandless
OF Honolulu. was in the city to-day and left
this evening for Washington. where ne will
appear before the Senate committee to
make a plea against enthroning the de-
posed Queen. Mr.. McCandless explained
that he is one of "A committee OF five APP
pointed by the provisional government 10
protest against interference by the United