The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1895-01-07
AN EXPLANATION
alvon by President Cleveland Ro-
garding His Reception of
THE ROYALIST COMMISSIONERS
Who Sought Recognition for Queen
Iil, OF IIawnii-Dld Not Meet
Them, but Ho Sent Them a HON.
lily on tho Usclossncss OF Their Task.
Ho Admitted That Hc was Power.
less TO Aid Them.

Ic Admitted That He was Power.
less TO Aid Them.
WAsnfSGroE, D. c., Jan. G.-Tho at.
tenlion Of President Cleveland having
been called to hint thrown out in tho
souato discussion on Friday that tho
visit Of certain Committee OF royal.
lists from tho Hawaiian islands" was
connected In como way with tho depart.
ure OF American ships from tha. locality,
the president said tonight to IN Asio.
ciated Press reporter:
"oi course such an insinuation is very
absurd. It's propricty and. motive be.
hind II, I am sure, can safely be loft to
tho judgment Of fair and right.thinking
Americans.
81 am entirely willing that all our
people uh ould know everything know
concerning the visit OF the so-called
committee OF royalists.
Last year in the latter part OF July,
or early In August. three gentlemen
from. Hawaii arrived here and asked
through the secretary OF state my dcsig.
nation Of time when they could have
IN interyied with me and present II
message from the deposed Hawaiian
queen. Though c5uld not with pro-
prlcty recognize them officially, l was
not disposed TO refuse them personally
the courtesy Of an audience. Therefore,
future day and hour was fixed for the
Interview. In the meantime, ut my 70.
quest, transmitted through the secrc-
tary OF state. these gentlemen made
known tho precise purpose OF their
visit in the following note:
THE Committees NOTE.
Angus. II, 1894.
10 Hon. W. Q. Graham, Secretary Of Sidtc.
slR:-Wo, the undersigned commits.
sioners sent by her majesty, Queen
Liliuokalaui, Request. an audience OF the
President OF the United States. We
desire TO ask his excellency whether
there is any hope for his doing an ything
for tho restoration OF the constitutional
government OF the Hawaiian Islands.
lSgned J. A. CUMMINGS,
II. A. WIDMASS,
SAMUEL PARKER.
AFTER this note had been submitted
to me, prepared in writing with some
care reply to the question it contained
to be read by me to tho commissioners
at our meeting. intended to avoid all
aud misconcepiion By
ahaNlptnIu n Hpt ,,,,,snR 81,
writton reply OF which the following is
q copy:
THE PRESIDENTS REPLY.
"'GESrLEMrS:-You must permit me
to remind you that this interview is not
an official one. and tha. instead OF re-
cclYing you in any representative capac-
ity, 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 tho restoration
OF the constitutional government OF the
Hawaiian Islands ! suppose that this
question is largely prompted by tho
fact that soon afte. the overturning OF
the late, government OF the queen, in
vesiigated that TRANSACTION and was
satisfied that there had been such an
unjusti1able interference 10 aid OF that
movement on the part Of tho represen-
tative. OF the government OF the United
States in its diplomatic and naval SER
vice. as 10 call for correction, not only
to rectify what seemed TO be n wrong
done to others, but also through that
rectitication TO ward oil what appeared
TO be danger to American honor and
probity.
Fully appreciating the constitutional
limitations oi my executive power and
by no means unmindiul OF the hindran-
ces that might arise, l undertook, tho
task.
ACKNOWLEDGED HIS FAILURE.
Having failed in my plans, l com.
misted the entiro subjec:.to the Con.
gress Of the United States, which
had abundant power and authority 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 command. Tho Congress
has, both by its action and its
omission to act. signiGed that nothing
need be dono touching American inter-
ence with the overthrow OF the govern.
mont OF the queen.
"Quite lately government has beon
established In Hawaii which is in full
force AID operation in all parts OF tho
island. It 10 maintaining its authority
and discharging all ordinary govern
mental functions. Upon general prin-
clples, and not losing sight OF tho spo.
cial circumstances surrounding this
case. tho new government is clearly en-
titled TO our recognition without regard
to any of tho incidents which ACCORD.
panied or preceded its Inauguration.
"'This recognition and the attitude
OF tho Congress concerning Hawaiian
affairs, OF course. led to an absolute do.
nial of the least present or the future
mid or encouragement. OH my part to an
effort 10 restore any government hero.
toforo existing in the Hawaiian Islands.
(Signed "GSovER CLEVELAND"
"When thoday appointed for tho meet
ing arrived was confined 10 my bod by
illness and unable TO keep my engage
mGnt; |, therefore, signed tho paper l
expected to read and it was delivered to
the commissioners. who. I believe, no.
turnod at once 10 llawaii. ! Inovcr saw
any pomber OF this commission or com.
and havo mover had any com.
or transaction with any OF
them. directly or indirectly, except US I
have hero stated"
Strike Virtually Ended.
DEAvEk FALIs. "a, Jan. 6. - Tho