River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1895-01-10
HE EXPLAINS.
The Presidents Pointed statement Re-
garding "a Hawaiian incident.

WASHINGTON, Jan. THE senate de-
bate on Senator Lodges resolution in
regard to Hawaiian matters has ellie
tied a pointed statement from the
president The attention of the
president having been called to hint
thrown out in the senate discussion
on Friday that the visit of certain
COMMITTEE of royalists" from the
Hawaiian islands was connected in
some way with the departure of
American ships from that locality, the
president said:
or course such an insinuation is very absurd
Its propriety and the motive behind IL, ! am
sure. can safely be left to the judgment OF fair
and right thinking Americans. l am en-
tirely willing that all our people should
know everything l know concerning the
visit of the so-called committee of royal
lists Last year in the latter part OF July, or
early in August, three gentlemen from Hawaii
arrived here and asked through the sec
rotary OF st tie my designation OF
time when they could have an interview
with me and present a message from
the deposed Hawaiian queen. Though
could not with propriety recognize them.
was not disposed to refuse Them personally
the courtesy Of an audience Therefore a flu
ture day and hour were fixed for the interview
In the meantime at my request, trans
mitted through the secretary Of state. these
gentlemen made known the precise purpose Of
their visit in a note signed by }. A Cummuns,
II. A Wideman and Samuel Parker, in which
they announced themselves commissioners
OF Queen Liliuokalani. Hnd formally requested
an audience with the president, saying that
they desired to ask his excelleney whether
there is any hope of his doing anything for
the restoration Of the constitutional govern
ment OF the Hawaiian islands.
After this note had been submitted to me
prepared in writing, with some care, reply to
the question IL contained to be read by me to
the commissioners at our meeting | intended
To avoid all misunderstanding and misconcep-
tion by absolutely combining myself to such
written reply, of which the following is a copy:
"GENTLEMEN: You must permit me to re-
mind you that this interview is not an official
one and instead OF receiving you in any repre-
sentative capacity, meet YOU as individuals
who have travelled long distance for the pur-
pose of laying certain matter before me- You
ask me IL there is any hope of my doing any
thing for the restoration of the constitutional
government OF the Hawaiian islands l sup
pose that this question Is largely prompted by
the fact that Soon after the oveTturning OF the
late govern 1ent of the queen ! investigated
that TT lnssction and was satisfied that there
had been such an unjustifiahle interference in
aid o. that movement, on the part of the repre-
sentativeS OF the government OF the United
Stf ties in its diplomatic ami naval service, as
TO call Tor correction not ONLY TO fettifN Whnt
seemed to be wrong done to others. but also
through that rectfc ton to ward OF what APP
peared TO be a danger TO American honor and
probity Fully appreciating the constitutional
limits of my executive power and by no means
unmindful OF the hiadranees that might arise,
undertook the task.
"'Haying failed IN my plans, Icon mitted the
entire subject to the congress Of the United
States which had abundant power and author
itv in the premises. The executive branch OF
the government was thereby discharged from
further duty and responsibility in the matter
unless moved thereto by congressional COM
mand. The congress has, both by its action,
and refusing to act, signifled that nothing need
be done touching American interference with
the overthrow of the government Of the queen.
"'Quite lately a governnenthas been estab-
lished in Hawaii which is In full force and op-
Grafton in parts of the islands 1t is maintain
ing it's authority and dischargiag all ordinary
governmental functions. Upon general prin-
ciplcs, ana not losing sight Of the special cir
cumStances surrounding this case, the new
government is clearly entitled to our recogni-
tion without regard TO any OF the incidents
which accompanied or preceded its Inaugural
tion.
This recognition and the attitude OF the
congress concerning Hawaiian aft airs, OF
course led TO an absolute denial OF the least
present or future aid or encouragement on my
part to an effort to restore any government
heretofore existing in the Hawaiian Is lands.
GROVER CLEVELAND
when the day appointed foc the meeting
arrived was confined to my BED by illness
and unable to keep my engageu emit. | there
fore signed the p per had expected TO read.
and II was delivered TO the commissioners,
who believe, returned at once u Hawaii /
never saw any member Of this com mission or
committee. and have never had any communi-
cation or transaction with any OF them, direct
ly or Indirectly except as have here stated.