The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1898-07-16
STORY OF A CRIME.
THE THEFT OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS

present Government of those islands was
founded and the peculiar relations OF the
United States Minister to the revolution
which upset the lawful Government, made
Dole President, and paved the way for an
nexatiOn.
John L. Stevens, an old friend and
neighbor of Mr.. Blaine at Augusta, was
sent to Honolulu as United States Minister
in 1889, very soon after the inauguration
of President Harrison, in whose Cabinet
Mr. Blaine was Secretary of State. I'M
mediately after his arrival he began to
write to Secretary Blaine of ''the strong
American feeling prevailing at Honolulu.
''Shall American civilization ultimately
prevail here p he wrote in March, 1890.
In August, 1891, he wrote that "a proper
regard for American interests will require
one ship here most of the time
On March 8, 1892, Minister Stevens
wrote a remarkable letter, in which was
foretold with remarkable detail and preci-
sion the main events of revolution which
actually occurred ten months later We
quote from this prophetic utterance
eff the Government here should be sur
prised and overturned by an orderly and
peaceful revolutionary movement, largely
of native Hawaiians, and provisional or
republican Government organized and pro-
claimed, would the United States Minister
and naval authorities here be justified in
responding affirmatively to the call of the
members of the removed Government to
restore them to power or replace them in
possession of the Government buildings
Or should the United States Minister and
naval commander conine themselves ex-
clusively to the preservation of American
property, the protection of American citi-
zens and the prevention of anarchy
Should revolutionary attempt Of the
character indicated be made there are
strong reasons to presume that it would
begin with the seizure of the police station,
with its arms and ammunition, and, this
accomplished, the Royal Palace and Gov
eminent Building, containing the Cabinet
offices and archives, would very soon be
captured.
The Queen promulgated the new Con-
stitution on January IA, 1898 On that day
the United States war ship Boston re-
turned from a ten days trip among the
islands with Minister Stevens on board
Also, on that day, at meeting of revolu-
tionists, Committee of Safety was
formed and the conspiracy for the imme-
date dethronement Of the Queen took def
mite shape and began active operations
The first question raised was whether "a
protectorate should not be sought from the
United States steamship of-war Boston, -
and special committee that evening waited
upon Minister Stevens to inquire what his
course would be. The Minister said, in
reply to questions, that the United States
troops on board the Boston would be ready
to land at any moment to prevent the de-
struction of American life and property,
and that whatever Government was estab-
lished and was actually in possession of the
Government Building, the executive de-
partments and archives, and in possession
of the city, that was de facto Govern
ment proclaiming itself as Government,
and would necessarily have to be recog-
nized.
Two of the conspirators, i. A. Thurs
ton and w. O. Smith, called upon Minis
ter Stevens on Monday, January 16, and
informed him that, as their 'plans'' were
not perfected, the committee had decided
not to ask for a landing of United States
troops until the following morning. 1t
was too late. Minister Stevens informed
his visitors that che had ordered the troops
to be landed at o clock, and they would
come They did come-three companies
of bluejackets, one of artillery, one of ma
rines, 154 men and 10 officers; with / f.
900 cartridges for rifles and the Gatling
gun, 1900 revolver cartridges and ia ex-
plosive shells for the revolving cannon
These forces were landed, on foreign soil,
not at the request of the lawful Govern
ment-the Governor of Oahu promptly
sent formal note Of protest to Minister
Stevens-representing SO, 900 of the pop
ulation, but at the request of committee
of rebels representing 1000 American resi-
dents
The events of this successful conspiracy
now moved like clock work. OF the United
States troops landed for ':the protection
of American life and property one COM
pany of marines was left at the legation,
where the american life and property
were to be found, while the rest of the
force was marched to Arion Hall, struc-
ture close to the palace and just across the
street from the Government Building,
where, of course, the rebels would neces,
sarily make their attack Real Admiral
SteTett reported that AriOn Hall was il
chosen for the professed purpose for which
the troops were landed. Naturally, " he
adds, eff they were landed with a view tc
supporting the Provisional Government
troops, then occupying the Government
Building, it was wise choice Every
thing being ready, on Tuesday, January
II, the conspirators signed their proclama
ton announcing that the Hawaiian mon.
archy had been ''abrogated'' and Pro
visional Government established, with
Sandford B. Dole as Chairman of the Ex-
ecutive Council. They took this to the
Government Building and there read it.
within seventy-five yards of the point
where the United States forces were sta
toned with their Gatling gun and small
cannon. With only the Government Build
ing in their hands, the Queen being at the
palace, and her troops in possession of the
police station, and but for the overawins
force of the United States troops in pos
session also of the city, the rebels posted
off to the American Legation with re-
quest for recognition. They got it witt
extraordinary promptness. The Provi
slonal Government was proclaimed be
tween and 3 O clock Two hours Later
the new Government had received the fol
lowing document, which, to our shame
will Eya -, 1;e1o,,,