The Big Stone Gap post. [volume] (Big Stone Gap, Wise County, Va.) 1892-1928, 1895-01-10
HE DENIES Ii.
Cleveland Makes Public Letter He
Wrote to His "Royal" Visitors.
rb.y Were Not Recognized as Commits
tee But the President Could Not hc-
fuse Them, Personally, the Courtesy
of ali Audience-Tho Letter.


WASHINGTON, Jan. THE senate de-
bate on Senator Lodges resolution IN
regard to Hawaiian matters-has elicit
ed statement from the president as
follows: The attention of the president
having been called to a hint thrown
out in the senate discussion ON Friday
that the visit of 4 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.
Its proprietv and the motive behind 1t,
am sure. can safely be left to the
Judgment of fair and right thinking
Americans am entirely willing
that all our people should know
everything I 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 ar
rived here and asked, through the secretary OF
state. my designation OF a time when they
could have an interview with me and present
message from the depo'ed Hawaiian queen.
| Though could not. with propriety. recognize
them was not disposed 10 refuse them per-
sonally the courtesy OF an audience: therefore
future day and hour were fixed for the inter
view. In the meantime ut my request. trans
mittcd through the secretary OF state. theso
gentlemen made known the precise purpose OF
their visit In the following note:
August II. 1924.
The Hon. w. @. Gresham, Secretary OF state:
Sir-We the undersigned commissioners
sent by her majesty, Queen Liliuokalanl re-
quest an audience OF the president CT the
United States. We desire to ask his excel
lcncy whether there is any hope for his doing
ANYTHING for the restoration Of the const!tu-
tional government of the Hawaiian islands
J. a. CUMMiNS,
H. A. WIDEMANN
SAMUEL PARKER.
After this note had been submitted to me.
I prepared in writing with some care reply TO
tho question it contained. to be read By me to
the commissioners 1T our m Getting. intended
to avoid oil misunderstanding ana miScoEcep-
ton by absolutely continuing myself to such
written reply, OF which the following is
| copy:
Gentlcmcn-You must permit me to remind
you that this Interview Is not an official one
and instead Of receiving you in any representa-
tive capacity. 1 meet you as individuals VINO
have travelled long distance for the purpose
OF laying certain matters before me-
| You aSl, me IL there IS any hope OF me do:
| Ing ANYTHING for the restoration OF the cOnSti-
tutional government OF the Hawaiian Islands '
suppose that this question is largely prompt
ed by the fact that soon after the orerturnng
/ of the late government OF the queen. nves-
gated thlt transaction and was satisfied that
! there had been such an unjustitiable ntcrfer-
| IN, IOF f1ot n n
the representatives Of the government OF the
United States. in It's diplomatic and naval SER
vice as to call for correction not only to rec
| tify what seemed to DO wrong done to others.
+ but also through that rectitication TO ward of
what appeared To he n danger to honor and
| probitv.
Fully approaching the constitutional limits
of my executive power. and by no means un-
mindful Of the hndrances 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
ecutivc branch of the government was thereby
discharged from further duty and responsible
| ity in the matter unless moved thereto by
congressional command. The congress has,
! both by Its acts and it's omissions to act, signt-
fed that nothing need be done touching Amer
! lean interference with the overthrow OF the
! government OF the queen.
| Quite lately government has been cstab-
/ lishcd in Hawaii which IS in full force and
: operation in parts OF the islands. It is main
tanning its authority and GiScharging all
ordinary governmental functions. Upon
/ general principals. and not losing sight of the
! special circumstances surrounding this case,
! the new government is clearly entitled to our
recognition without regard to any Of the Incl
dents which accompanied or preceded its in
| auguration.
/ The recognition and the attitude OF the con-
gress concerning the Hawaiian affairs, CT
course. led to an absolute denial OF the least
present or future aid or encouragement on my
i part to an effort to restore any government
! heretofore existing in the Hawaiian islands.
! GO GROVER CLEVELAND.
! When the day appointed for the meeting
asarrived I was confined to my bed by illness
4 and unable to keep my engagement I there
! fore signed the paper I had expected to read
! and II was delivered to the commissioners,
4 Who'll believe, returned at once to Hawaii. 1
never saw any member Of this commission or
1 committee. and have never had any communi-
!, cation or transaction with any OF them, direct
| ~ or indirectly, except Us have here stated.
FOSTERS MISSION.
! Purely Private and rs Counsel Only for Chi
| nese Peacemakers.
VANCOUVER, b. c., Jan. 7.-Mr. Eos
! ter. ex-secretary of state of the United
| Sta ties, who is now here awaiting the
sail of the Empress of India for Japan,
was interviewed by an Associated