Morris tribune., 1895-01-09
HE EXPLAINS.
The Presidents Pointed Statement Re
garding Hawaiian Incident.

/
| garding Hawaiian Incident.
WASHINGTON, 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 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:
"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. I am en-
tirely willing that all our people should
know everything I know concerning the
visit of the so-called committee of royal
ists Last year in the latter part of July, or
early in August, three gentlemen from Hawaii
arrived here and asked through the Sec
rotary of state my designation of o
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, I
was not disposed to refuse them personally
the courtesy Of an audience. Therefore a fu-
ture day and hour were fixed for the interview.
In the meantime at my request, trans
mitted through the secretary of state, these
gentlemen made known the precise purpose Of
their visit in note signed by J. A. Cummuns,
Fl. A Wideman and Samuel Parker, in which
they announced themselves commissioners
OF Queen Liliuokalani. and formally requested
an audience with the president, saying that
they desired to ask his excellency whether
there is any hope of his doing anything for
the restoration OF the constitutional govern.
ment Of the Hawaiian islands,
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
the commissioners at our meeting. intended
to avoid all misunderstanding and misconcep-
ton by absolutely combining myself to such
written reply, of which the following is a 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 l sup
pose that this question Is largely prompted by
the fact that soon after the overturning of the
late government of the queen. investigated
that transaction and was satisfied that there
had been such an 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 to be wrong done to others, but also
through that rectification to ward off 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 hindrances that might arise,
undertook the task.
Having failed IN my plans, Icommitted the
entire subject to the congress Of the United
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, signified that nothing need
be done touching American interference with
the overthrow Of the government OF the queen
"'Quite lately governmenthas been estab-
ished in Hawaii which is in full force and OPP
sratfon in parts of the islands 1t is maintain
ng 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- |
ion without regard to any Of the incidents |
which accompanied or preceded its Inaugural
ion.
~ This recognition and the attitude of the I
congress concerning Hawaiian affairs, OF |
course, led to an absolute denial of the least |
present or future aid or encouragement on my |
part to an effort to restore any government
heretofore existing in the Hawaiian is lands.
"GRovER CLEVELAND
when the day appointed for the meeting
Lrrived was confined to nay bed by illness |
md unable to keep my engagement I there
ore signed the paper had expected to read,
md 1t was delivered to the commissioners
Who, believe, returned at once to Hawaii 1
never saw any member of this commission or
and have never had any communi-
alton or transaction with any OF them, direct
y or Indirectly, except as have here stated