Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1895-01-12
THEIR MISSION.
President Clovcland's Answer to the Ha-
waiian Royal Commission.

Frestden5 Cloveland'B Answer TO tho Ha-
waiian Royal Commission.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-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 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:
"Of course such an insinuation is very absurd.
It's propriety and the motive behind It, am
sure, can safely be left to the Judgment OF fair
and right thinking Americans. l am en-
tirely willing that oil 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
retary of state my designation OF n
time when they could have an interview
with me and present message from
the deposed Hawaiian queen. Though I
could not with propriety recognize Them
wns not disposed to refuse them personally
the courtesy of un audience Therefore fu-
ture day and hour were fixed for the interview
In the meantime ut my request, trans
mitted through the secretary of state, these
gentlemen made known the precise purpose Of
their visit in q note signed by j. A Cummuns,
II. A. Wdeman and Samuel Parker in which
they announced themselves as commissioners
of Queen Liliuokalant, and formally requested
an audience with the president, saying that
they desired to ask his exoellency whether
there is any hope of his doing anything for
the restoration of the constitutional govern
mcnt of the Hawaiian islands
After this note had been submitted to me
prepared in writing, with some care, a reply to
the question 1t 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 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 a certain matter before me. You
ask me II there is any hope of my doing any
thing for the restoration of the constitutional
government OF the Hawaiian islands. i sup
! pose that this question Is largely prompted by
| the fact that soon after the overturning of the
| late government of the queen, 1 investigated
| that transaction and was satisfied that there
| had been such au unjustifable interference in
| aid of that movement, on the part Of the repre-
| sentatives of the government of the United
| States, in its diplomatic and naval service as
| to call for correction, not only to rectify what
! seemed 10 be n wrong done to others. but also
through that recthcatlon to ward of what APP
| peared to be danger to American honor and
| probity. Fully apprcciating the constitutional
| limits OF my executive power and by no means
unmindful of the hindrances that might arise,
undertook the task.
Having failed IN my plans, Icommittcd the
entire subject to the congress of the United
States which had abundant power and author
| fly 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 government has been estab-
lished in Hawaii which is in full force and OPP
| Grafton In parts of the islands. 1t is maintain
Ing It's authority and discharging 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-
tion without regard to any OF the incidents
which accompanied or preceded its inaugura-
tion.
This recognition and the attitude of the
congress concerning Hawaiian affairs, OF
course, led to an absolute denial of the least
present or future aid or encouragement my
part to an effort 10 restore any government
heretofore existing in the Hawaiian Islands
"GRoyER CLEVELAND
when the day appointed for the meeting
arrived was confined to my bed by illness
and unable to keep my engagement 1 there.
fore signed the paper had expected to read
and 1t was delivered to the commissioners
who believe, returned at once to Hawaii
never saw any member OF this commission ol
committee, and have never had any commune
cation or transaction with any of them, direct.
ly or indirectly, except as have here stated.