Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1895-01-10
EFFECT OF A HINT.
The Presidents Statement of q
Hawaiian Incident.
He Tells How He Informed LiIIuokaIanPs
Commissioners That He Could Not
Aid In the Restoration of
the Dusky Qneen.

W ARLINGTON. Jan. THE senate de-
bate on Senator Lodges resolution in
regard to Hawaiian matters has clio
tied a pointed statement from the
president. The attention of the
president having been called to a hint
thrown out in the senate discussion
on 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, the
president said:
Mr.. CieveIand's Statement.
"Of course such an insinuation is very absurd
Its propriety and the motive behind IT, l am
sure, can safely be left to the judgment of fair
and riant thinking Americans I am en-
tirely willing that all our people should
know everything / know concerning the
visit of the so-called committee OF royal
lists Last year in the latter part OF July OF
early in August, three gentlemen from Hawaii
arrived here and asked through the Sec
rotary of state my designation of
time when they could have an interview
with me and present a message from
the deposed Hawaiian queen Though 1
could not with propriety recognize them,
was not disposed TO refuse them personally
the courtesy Of an audience Therefore fu-
ture day and hour we're fixed for the interview
mitted through the secretary Of state these
gentlemen made known the precise purpose OF
their visit ia note signed by j. A. Cummuns,
H. A Wideman and Samuel Parker in which
they announced themselves as commissioners
OF Queen Liliuokalani. and formally requested
an audience with the president, saying that
they desired to ask his exeellency whether
there is any hope of his doing anything for
the restoration OF the constitutional govern
ment of the Hawaiian islands.
The Presidents Reply.
After this note had been submitted to me
prepared in writing, with some care, reply to
tnc question il contained to be read by me to
the commissioners at our meeting intended
TO avoid all misunderstanding and misconceu-
ton by absolutely combining myself 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 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 if there is any hope of my doing any
thing for the restoration of the constitutional
government OF the Hawaiian islands / sup
pose that this question is largely prompted by
the fact that soon after the overturning OF the
late government Of the queen, l investigated
that transaction and was satisfied that there
had been such an unjustihable interference In
aid OF that movement. on the part of the repre-
sentatives of the government of the United
States, in its diplomats and naval service as
TO call for correction, not only to rectify what
seemed to be a wrong done to others, but also
through that recti1cation to ward of what APP
peared to be danger to American honor and
probity. Fully appreciating the constitutional
limits Of my executive power and by no means
unmindful OF the hindranees that might arise
undertook the task
Submitted to Congress-
Having failed IN my plans. Icommitted the
States which had abundant power and author
ity 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, signifed that nothing need
be done touching American interference with
the overthrow of the government of the queen
New Government Recognized.
"'Quite lately governmenthas been estab-
lshed in Hawaii which is in full force and op-
GRAFTON in parts of the islands, 1t is maintain
ing its authority and diseharging all ordinary
governmental functions. Upon general prin-
ciples, and not losing sight of the special cir
cumstances surrounding this case. the new
government is clearly entitled to our recogni
ton without regard TO any OF the incidents
which accompanied or preceded its Inaugural
tion.
Can't Aid Restoration.
This recognition and the attitude of the
congress concerning Hawaiian affairs, Of
course led to an absolute denial of the least
present future aid or encouragement on my
part to an effort to restore any government
existing in the Hawaian islands
GROVER CLEVELAND.
When the day appointed for the meeting
arrived 1 was confined TO my bed by illness
and unable to keep my engagement 1 there
fore signed the paper had expected 10 read
and II was delivered TO the commissioners
who believe, returned at once 10 Hawaii
never saw any member OF this commission or
and have never had any commune
cation or transaction with any of them, direct
ly or indirectly, except as have here stated "