Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-01-10
Mr.. CLEVELAND AND HAWAII.
The President Tells About the
Visit of RoyaIists.


He Refused to Aid Their Cause-As He
Was sick Whom the Committee Called,
Carefully Prepared Statement Was
Submitted, in which DIR. Cieveland's
: Views Are Fully Set Forth.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 6.-rhe attention
of President Cleveland having 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 in
some way with the departure of Amer
lean ships from that locality, the Presi-
dent said to-nightto an Associated Press
reporter:
"Of course, such an insinuation is
very absurd. Its propriety and the mo-
tive behind it, | am sure, can safely be
left to the Judgment Of fair and right
thinking Americans. l am entirely
willing that all our people should 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 desig-
nation of a time when they could have
an interview with me aud present a
|
| Queen. Though | could not with pro-
priety recognize them officially, | was
not disposed to refuse them personally
the courtesy Of an audience. Therefore
future day and hour were fixed for
the interview. In the meantime, at my
request, transmitted through the Score
tary of State, these gentlemen made
known the precise purpose Of their visit
in the following note:
AuGusT IL, 1S94.-- The Hon. ". O. Gresham,
Secrctdiy Of State-SIR We, the under
signed, commissioners sent by Her Majesty
Queen Liliuokalani, request an audience
OF the President of the United States. We
desire to ask His EScellency whether there
is any hope for his doing anything for the
restoration Of the constitutional govern
ment Of the Hawaiian Islands.
j. \. CUMMINs,
ii, a. WtpEMANN,
SAM'L PARKER
after this note had been submitted
to me 1 prepared in writing, with somt
care, reply to the question It con
tanned, to be read by me 10 the commits
sioners at our meeting. intended Il
avoid all Misunderstanding and miscon
/ ception by absolutely combining mysel
to such written reply, of which the fol
lowing is copy
Gentlemen: You must permit me to re
: mind you that this interview is not al
official one. and that instead of receiving
, you in any representative capacity, ! NEE
you as individuals who have travelled
long distance for the purpose of laying
S certain matter before me. You ask me
5 there is any nope OF my doing anythin
9 for the restoration of the constitutions
/ government OF the Hawaiian Islands"
suppose that this question is largel
prompted by the fact that soon after tn
G oyerturning of the late government of tn
:. Queen | investigated that transaction an
IS was satisfied that there had been such Il
s unjustiiiable interference i'll aid OF this
4 movement on the part of the represent.
:, tives of the government of the Unite
Il States in Its diplomatic and naval servic
as to call for correction, not only to rectif
l., what seemed to be a wrong done to other
# but also through thnt rectiticalion to war
d off what appeared to be u danger to Amer
- can honor and probity. Fully apprecia
y: =: ing the constitutional limitations of IN
10 executive power and by no means unmin
IL full of the hindranceS that might arise,
undertook the task.
a Having failed in my plans | committt
IS the entire subject to the Congress of Il
- United States, which had abundant pow,
AZ and authority in the premises. The exec
" | tive branch of the government was theret
ol discharged from further duty and respon!
ie bility in the matter unless moved therto |
D. congressional command. The CCngre
has, both by its action and its omission
act, signiied that nothing need be dol
CT touching American interference with d
IL overthrow of the government of the Quee
~ Quite lately government has been
IN tablished in Hawaii, which is in full for
i. and operation in all parts Of the islanC
~ 1t is maintaining its authority and d
IN charging all ordinary government fur
IS tons. Upon general principles, and II
losing sight OF the special uircunstant
ed surrounding this case, the new COVER
ment is clearly entitled to oar recogniti
" without regard to any OF the incidei
IN which accompanied or proceeded lis ins
e's guration.
ng This recognition and the attitude of t
W. Congress concerning Hawaiian affairs,
nd course, led TO an absolute denial of /
least present Or future AID or encoura
ment on my part to an effort to rest
.ys any government heretofore existing in
ed Hawaiian Islands.
NV GROVER CLEVELAND
til "When the day appointed for the me
he ing arrived | was confined 10 my
| by illness and unable to keep
Yn engagement. l therefore signed
paper had expected to read, and it v
,, delivered to the commissioners, whC
IS, believe, returned at once to Hawaii
=; never saw any member Of this CONN
,r w sion or committee, and have never /
,tai any communication or transaction W
w. any of them, directly or indirect
~ except as have here stated"
=