The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1895-01-07

Mr.. cleveland ON HAWAII
President Explains His Interview
with Lis RetainerS.
DOES NOT CARE WHO KNOWS 1T
The Three Representatives Of the Coffee.
Colorcd Queen We're Received as Pri.
Vate CitizcnsNO Encouragement
Was Given Friends OF Royalty.
By the United Press.

Was Given Friends OF Royalty.
By the United Press.
Washington, Jan. 6.-The senate de-
bate on Senator Lodges resolution in
regard to Hawaiian matters has elicit
ed "a polnted statement from the presi-
dent as follows:
The attention of the president hay
ing been called to hint thrown out
in 1.-THE senate discussion on Friday that
the visit of a certain committee of
royallsts from the Hawaiian islands"
Was connected In some way with the
departure of American ships from that
locality, tIhe president said:
"Of course such an insinuation Is very
absurd. Its propriety and the motive
behind it, / am sure, can safely be left
to the Judgment of fair and right think
ing Americans.
Il am entirely willing that all our
people should know everything | know
concerning fhe visit of the so-called
committee of royall,ts. Last year, in
the laltter part of July or early in
August, three gentlemen from Hawaii
amived here and asked through the
secraltary of state my designation of a
time when they could 'have an interview
with me and present a message from
the depoSed Hawaiian queen. Though
l could not with propriety recognize
them officially, I was not disposed to
refuse them personally the courtesy of
AN audience. In the meantime, at my
request transmitted Through the secre-
tary of state, these gentlemen made
known the precise purpose of their
visit in the following note:
August H. 1894
The Hon. W. @. Gresham, Secretary Of
State:
Sir-We, the undersigned commission
ers sent by her majesty, Queen Liliou-
kalani, request an audience of the presi-
dentof the United States. We desire to ask
his excellency whether there is any hope
! for his doing anything for the restoration
of the constitutional government of the
Hawaiian Islands. Signed. j. A. Cum
Minis, II. a. Widemann, Samuel Parker
MIR. Cleycland's Reply.
| AFTER this note had been submitted
to me / prepared in writing with some
care a reply to the question it con-
tained, to be read by me to the commits
sioners at our meeting. I intended to
avoid all misunderstanding and mis-
conception by absolutely confining my
self to such written reply, of which
the following is copy:
Gentlemen-You must permit me to re-
mind you that this interview is not an Of
| fetal one, and that instead of receiving
you in any representative capacity, |
meet you as individuals who have trav-
eled long distance for the purpose of
! laying a certain matter before me.
You ask me If there Is any hope of my
| doing anything for the restoration of
the constitutional government of the Ha-
waian Islands,"
/ suppose that this question is largely
prompted by the fact that soon after the
overturning of the late government of
the queen, | investigated that transaction
and was satisfied that there had been such
an unjustiiable interference in aid of that
movement, on the part of the representa-
! tives of the government of the United
States in its diplomatic and naval ser
vice, as to call for correction, not only TO
rectify what seemed to be a wrong done
to others, but also through that rectifca-
| tion to ward off what appeared to be q
| danger to American honor and probity.
! Fully appreciating the constitutional lin
itations of my executive power and by no
means unmindful of the hindrances that
might arise, | undertook the task.
Having failed In my plans, l committed
the entire subject to the congress of the
United States, which had abundant power
and authority in the premises. The exec
utive Ibranch of the government was
thereby discharged from further duty
and responsibility in the matter unless
| moved thereto by congressional command
| The congress has, both by its action and
its omission to act, signiticd that nothing
need be done touching American interfer-
ence with the overthrow of the govern
ment of the queen.
quite lately government has been es.
tabished in Hawaii which is in full force
and operation in all parts of the islands
1t is maintaining its authority and dis
charging all ordinary governmental func.
tions. Upon general principles, and not
losing sight of the special circumstances
surrounding this case. the new govern
ment Is clearly entitled to our recognition
without regard to any of the incidents
which accompanied or preceded its inau.
guration. This recognition and the atti.
tude of the congress concerning Ha.
waiian affairs. of course, lead to an abso
Lutte denial of the least present or future
aid or announcement on my part to ar
effort to restore any government hereto
Grover Cleveland
"When the day appointed for tn,
meeting arrived | was confined to m,
bed by illness and unable to keep m,
engagement. | therefore signed tn,
paper | had expected to read and 1
was delivered to the commissioners
who, / believe, returned at once [,
Hawaii. / never saw any member o
this commission or committee and hav,
never had any communication or tran
saction with any of them directly o
indirectly except as have here stated. ;
1t is anticipated that the president
interview ON this malbter and the accom-
, panying correspondence, which will b.
sent In to the senate tomorrow, will
give considerable pungency to the earl,
morning senate debate on Hawaiian ar
fairs unless the announcement of Rep
resentative Posts death should cut tn
discussion short.