People's Pilot, Volume 3, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 February 1894 — WILLIS EXPLAINS. [ARTICLE]

WILLIS EXPLAINS.

H* Enlighten* President Dole on Many Important Pointa Washington, Feb. 2L President Cleveland has sent to congress the dispatches which arrived February 10 at Kan Francisco from Hawaii. Among the papers is Minister Willis’ reply to Provisional President Dole’s letter in regard to the minister’s attitude showing an intention to use force. In part i | it is: * “In view of the above a reply to yonr last , ; communication may not be necessary, nor ; would one be made, except from the aesire of | ! my government to have the good will and 1 friendship of the people for whom you speak, j ! which result will, in my opinion, be advanced I by an explanation of several matters herein reI terred to. “November 15 S. M. Damon, minister of finance, notified me in person that there were rumors of an attack that night or the ensuing night upon the executive building. 1 remarked; •‘The Japanese consul general, Ihe English minister and other foreign representatives have already called to say that their people are apprehensive of mob violence and asked me, as the only representative whose government has war vessels now in port, i to protect their people. The friends of the queen are also apprehensive as to her safety. Ido not wish to interfere in any way with your domestic affairs, except with your approval. If you do not object, however, I will publicly announce that the United States wUI cooperate to prevent mob violence. I will also state that there will be no communication to your government from the president of the United States for several weeks.’ “Mr. Damon replied thanking me for the offer and saying that he could see no objection whatever. that such an announcement would go very far toward allaying excitement and relieving general anxiety. The following morning you called at this legation, and on being informed of the preceding facts you expressed your satisfaction and approval of what had occurred. The representatives of the foreign governments and many prominent citizens expressed themselves to the same effect. The action taken was meant and understood at the time as in the interest of peace, humanity and good order, and will after this explanation no longer, 1 hope, be considered an evidence of hostility. “In this connection it may not be improper to mention the conduct of our naval forces during the trying circumstances succeeding the 24th of last November. The many rumors as to their purpose of landing and attacking your people, the feeling of resentment naturally resulting from the honest belief by a large part of the community that such was their intention, the opprobious epithets that were freely employed ' brought about such a dangerous and critical condition that for a time, as Admiral Irwin ; states, it became necessary lor all our officers 1 going ashore to wear their service uuiforms as a protection against insult and attack. During the whole of this unfortunate and regrctable I situation the demeanor of both officers and men was one of forbearance and self-controL “My government, one month prior to the time referred to, had given you information negativing the idea of using force, and had authorized the publicaiion of such information 'to allay any such apprehension.’ furthermore, as frankly admitted by yAt in this correspondence, ‘your government did not itself entertain this apprehension. •‘I desire to siale that the only communica- ; tions of a character which 1 have j had with the queju vere limited to three occasions. The sole purpose of these negotiations ' were, as you kn<»w, to secure proper guarantees from the queen »s to life and property of all ’ connected with the overthiow of th<* monarchy. These paving been assured I then, under the instructions of the president of the United States, presented his decisions, setting forth the i easons therefor and submitting j to your government for its voluntary action. “Touching the statement that your government was refused permission to forward ‘Hawaiian government dispatches' by the dispatch : boat Corwin, it is only necessary to remind you ' that the naval officers of the United State* and ; the public generally were denied such privilege, and that no inference of unfriendly feeling should therefore be drawm. Moreover, at the time your letter was written you were aware of the fact that for the accommodation of your government the Corwin had been delayed over i half a week. “As to the requests of the British minister and Japanese consul general for permission to land troops, they were, I am informed, precau- | tionary measures against possible mob violence. This permission is still outstanding, : and is not now and was not then, in my judgment, proper evidence of a hostile purpose on the part of our government.”