The herald., 1895-01-07
NOT AN OFFICIAL INTERVIEW,
Meeting Between Cleveland and
Queen Lil's Agents.
The Reply of the President to the
ROyalists.
The Gentlemen From the Islands Were
Told That the Government
Gould Do Nothing.


WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.-Ihe attention
OF the president having been called to q
hint thrown out in the senate in the
discussion of Friday that the visit of a
certain COMMITTEE OF royalists from the
Hawaiian islands" was connected in
some way with the departure of
American ships from that locality,
he said today to an Associated
Press reporter: "Of course such an
insinuation is very absurd. Its
propriety and the motive behind it, 1
am sure, can safely be left to the judg.
ment OF fair and right-minded Ameris
cans. am entirely willing all our PEG.
pie should know everything concerning
visit of the so-cslled committee OF
Royslsts.'
Last year, in the latter part of July or
early in August, gentlemen from Hawaii
arrived here and asked through the
secretary of state my designation OF q
time when they could have an interview
with me and present a message from
the deposed queen. Though l
could not with propriety recog'
nize them officially. l was not
disposed to refuse them personally
the audience. The day and hour were
fixed for the interview. In the mean
time. at my request. transmitted through
the secretary of state, these gentlemen
made known the precise purport OF their
visit in the following note:
To the Hon. w. Q. Gresham, Score
tary of state. SIR:-We, the under
signed, commissioners sent by Her Ma
/
audience of the president OF the United
States. We desire to aek of His Excel
lency whether there is any hope for his
doing anything for the restoration of the
constitutional government of the Hs-
waiian Islands.
(signed) J. A. CUMMINGS.
II. A. WEIDMAN.
SAMUELPARKER.
THE REPLY.
"After this note had been submitted
to me prepared in writing, with some
care, reply to the question it con.
tanned, to be read by me to the com.
missioners at our meeting. | intended
to avoid all Misunderstanding and mis-
conception by absolutely combining my
self to such written reply. of which the
following ia copy:
"GENTLEMEN: You must permit me
to remind you that this interview ls not
an official one, and that instead OF res
ceiving you in any representative ca
pacity. meet you as individuals, who
have travelled long distance for the
purpose OF laying certain matter be-
fore me.
''You ask me if there is any hope
OF my doing anything for the restora-
ton OF the constitutional government
of the Hawaiian islande. | suppose that
this question ia largely prompted by the
fact that soon after the overthrow of the
late government of the queen | invests
gated that transaction, and was satitied
there had been such an uniustifiable in
reference or aid of that movement on
the part of the representatives OF the
government OF the United States in iss
diplomatic and naval service as to call
for correction not only to Yectify what
seemed to be wrong done to others,
but also through that rectification to
ward Oft what appeared to be danger to
American honor and property.
Gully approaching the constitutional
limitations OF my executive power, and
by no means unmindful of the him
ORANGES that might arise, undertook
the task.
COULD NOT INTERFERE.
Having failed in my plans, COM
mitted the entire subject to the congress-
of the United States, which had abund-
ant power and authority in the
premises. The executive branch of
the government was thereby discharged
from further duty and responsibility in
she matter unless moved thereto by
congressional command. The congress
has, both by its action and its omission
to act signifed that nothing could be
done touching American interference
with the overthrow of the government
of the queen.
"Quite lately government has been
established in Hawaii, which is in full
force and operation in all parts OF the
islands. 1t 10 maintaining its authority
and discharges all ordinary govern.
mental functions upon general prin-
ciples. and not losing sight of the
special circumstance surrounding
this case, the new government
is clearly entitled to our recognition
without regard to any of the incidents
which accompanied or preceded its in
auguration.
This recognition and the attitude of
the congress concerning Hawaiian az
fairs, OF course led to an absolute denial
of the least present or future aid or en-
couragement on my part of an effort to
restore any government heretofore ex-
listing in the Hawaiian islands.
[Signed] "GRovER CLEVELAND"
"When the day appointed, for the meet.
ing arrived l was confined to my bed by
illness and was unable to keep my
engagement. l therefore, signed the
paper had expected to read
and it was delivered to the
commissioners who, | believe, re-
turned at once to Hawaii. never saw
any member of this committee or CONS
mission, nor have never had any COM
munication or transaction with them
directly or indirectly, except as / have
here stated"
HOLDING THE FORT