Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1895-01-07
THg PRESIDENT TELLS
Of the Visit of the Three Hawaiian
Commissioners
IN THE INTERESTS OF QUEEN LII.
A Clear and Concise Statement
of the Incident. and the Objects
and Hopes Of the Visitors-The
President Never Saw Any Mem
Der of the Commission-Hi
Communication to Them.

WASHINGTON, d. G., January 6-The
attention OF President Cleveland having
been called to hint thrown GU; IN the
Senate on Friday that the visit Of GER
tain committee of royalsts from the
Hawaiian Islands" was connected In
some way with the departure Of Ameri-
can ships from that locality, the Presi-
dent said tonight TO 81 Associated
Press reporter:
"Of course such an insnuGtion Is
very absurd. Its propriety and motive
behind it. am sure, can safely be el
to the judgment Of fair and right
thinking Americans.
81 am entirely willing that all our
people should know everything | know
concerning the visit OF the so-caled
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 des-
ignation of time when they could have
an interview with me and present =
message from
THE DEPosED HAWAIIAN QUEEN
Though could not with propriety rec
oguized them officially, | was disposed
to refuse them personally the courtesy
of an audience. Therefore, future
day and hour was fixed for the inter-
view. In the meantime, at my request.
transmitted through the Secretary OF
State, these gentlemen made known the
precise purpose Of their visit in the fol-
lowing note:
"'August II, 1894
"'To Hon. ". O. Gresham, Sec. Of STATE.
"'SIR-We. the undersigned com
missloners sent by Her Majesty, Queen
Liliuokalani. request an audience OF
the President OF the United States. We
desire to ask His Excelency whether
there is any hope for his doing anything
for the restoration OF the constitutional
government Of the Hawaiian Islands.
ISIgned.l 81. A. CUMMINGS,
"'H. A. WIDMANN,
"iSAMUEL PARKER
"After this note had been submitted
to me, 1 prepared i? writing with some
care reply 10 the qt4est,1n nc contained
to be read by me TO the commissioners
at our meeting. l intended to avoid all
Misunderstanding and misconception by
absolutely confining myself TO such
written reply, OF which the following Is
copy:
"'GENTLEMEN-Yo must permit me
to remind you that this interview is not
an official one, and that instead OF re-
ceving you In my representative capa-
city. meet you as individuals who have
travelled long distance Tor the purpose
OF laying q certain matter before me.
"'You ask me IL there is any hope
of my doing anything for the
restoration OF the constitutional
government OF the Hawaiian Is
lands / suppose that this ques-
tion is largely prompted by the fact
that soon after the overturning OF the
late government Of the Queen, In
vestigated that transaction and was
satisfied that there had been such an
unjustifiable interference OF aid OF that
movement on the part OF the represen-
tatives Of the government OF the United
States in its diplomatic and naval SER
vice, as TO call for correction, not only
TO rectify what seemed TO be wrong
done TO others but also through that
rectification TO ward of what appeared
to be danger TO
AMERICAN HONOR AND PRoBGTY.
Fully approaching the constitn-
tional limitations Of my executive pow
er and by no means unmlndful OF tho
hlndrauces that might arise, under
took the task.
Having failed in my plans, | COM
mitted the entire subject 10 the Con-
gress of the United States, which
had abundant power and au-
thority in the premises. Ihe
executive branch OF the government
was thereby discharged from further
duty and responsibility In the matter,
unless moved thereto by Congressional
command. The Congress has, both oy
its action and its omission TO act, slgnl-
fed that nothing need be done touch
ing American interference With the
overthrow OF the government OF ths
Queen.
"'Qulte lately q government has
been established IN Hawaii, which IS IN
full force and operation 10 all parts Oh
the island. 1t is maintaining It's autnot-
fty and dischsrging all ordinary govern
mental functions. Upon general prln-
cipIes, and not losing sight OF the spo'
ciel circumstances surrounding thi'
case, the new government Is
CLEARLY ENTITLED TO OUR REcoG'
NITION
without regard to any OF the incidents
which accompanied or preceded Us IN
auguration.
This recognition and the atutuus
OF the Congress concerning Hawaiian
affairs, Of course, led 10 an absolute ds-
nial of the least present or the iu'ur'
aid or encouragement on my part 10 an
effort to restore any government mere
tofore existing Ia the HAWAIIAN
Islands"
ISlgnedl "GRovEE CLEVELAND.
when the daY appointed lot 1ne
meeting arrived | was confined 20 ny
bed by illness and unabls to keep uy
| therefore signed tns
paper had expected to read and - was
delivered 20 the commissioners, "n''
believe, returned at once 70 Ha"all.
never saw any member OF this com ms
sion or committee and have never ha%
any communication or transaction wiz
any OF them, directly or Indirectly Ca
cept as 1 have here stated.