The enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 188?-1899, 1895-01-09
PRESIDENT CLEVELAND
Gives Out an Interview on the
Hawaiian Question.
The object OF the Committee of Royalists
Who Visited Washington Last SUM
mer Is Explained-Their Re-
quest and His Reply
Given In Detail.

WASHINGTON, Jan. THE senate de-
bate on Senator Lodges resolution in
regard to Hawaiian matters. has elic-
tied pointed statement from the pres
ident as follows:
The attention Of the president hav-
ing 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 some way with the de-
parture of American ships from that
locality, the president said:
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 right-thinking Americans | am entirely
willing that all our people should know every
thing know concerning the visit OF the 80
called Committee Of Royalists
Last year, in the latter part Of July or early
in August, three gentlemen from Hawaii ar
rived here and asked through the secretary OF
state, my designation of time when they
could have an interview with me and present
message from the deposed Hawaiian queen.
Though could not with propriety recognize
them, was not disposed to refuse them per-
| sonally the courtesy of an audience. There
| fore future day and hour we're fixed for the
| interview. In the meantime, at my request,
transmitted through the secretary OF state,
these gentlemen made known the precise pur-
pose of their visit in the following note:
The Hon. w. @. Gresham, secretary Of state.
Strive, the undersigned commissioners,
sent by her majesty, Queen Lilioullalani, re-
quest an audience with the president OF the
United States We desire to ask his excel
lency whether there is any hope OF his doing
anything toward the restoration OF the consti-
| tutional government OF the Hawaiian Islands,
JA Cummins Fl. A, Widemann, Samuel Par
ker.
After this note had been submitted to me
prepared In writing with some care, reply TO
the question II contained, to be read by me TO
| the commissioners at our meeting. / intended
to avoid all misunderstanding and misconcep-
tlon by absolutely confning myself to such
written reply of which the following is copy
| Gentlemen--You must permit me to remind
you that this interview is not IN official one,
and instead Of receiving you In any representa-
tive capacity, meet you as individuals who
| have Travelled long distance for the purpose OF
| laying certain matter before me. You ask me
| II there is any hope of my doing anything for
the restoration of the constitutional govern
ment OF the Hawaiian islands,.
| / suppose that this question is largely
| prompted by the fact that soon nfter the over
turning of the queen inves lgated that trans
| action and was satisfied thnt there had been
such an unjustifable interference in aid OF
| that movement on the part OF the representa-
tlves of the government OF the United States,
| in its diplomatic ana naval service, as to call
| for correction, not only to rectify What seemed
| to be wrong done to others, but also through
that rectifcaton to ward of what appeared to
be danger TO American honor and probty.
| Fully approaching the constitutional limits
of my cyecptive power and by no means un-
mindful of the hindrances that might arise, ]
| undertook the task. Having failed in my plans,
| committed the entire subject to the congress
of the United States which had abundant
! power and authority In the premises. The ex-
ecutive branch of the government Eas thereby
1 discharged from further duSNsaiAs sponsi-
| bility In the matter nnless moved thereto by
congressional command.
The congress has, both by its action and It's
I omission to act signihed that nothing need be
done touching American interference with the
overthrow Of the government of the queen
| Quite likely government has been established
in Hawaii which is In full force and operation
in parts of the islands 1t is maintaining its
authority and discharging all ordinary govern
mental functions Upon general principles
and not losing sight Of the special circum-
stances 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 inauguration.
This recognition and the attitude Of the con-
gress concerning Hawaiian affairs, Of course
led to an absolute denial Of the least present OF
future aid or announcement on my part to on
effort TO restore any government heretofore ex.
isting in the Hawaiian islands.
GROVER CLEVELAND.
When the day appointed for the meeting ar
rived was confined to my bed by illness ant
unable to keep my engagement therefore
signed the paper I had expected to read and I
was delivered TO the commissioners who, be-
lieve, returned at once to Hawaii. Inever saw
any member Of this commission or committed
and have never had any communication o.
transaction with any of them directly or indi
rectly, except rs have here stated.