986-987
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Mr. McCandless. Yes. And I think the other company marched up together.
Senator Frye. But you did not see them?
Mr. McCandless. I did not see them. I was sent off on other business. That is a statement up to the proclamation. When I got up to the Government building, just as fast as the men came in and the guns came in they were given to the men, and they organized the Provisional Government. They immediately wrote letters to all the foreign ministers there, stating that they had organized a government, and had charge of the public buildings and archives.
Senator Frye. Did you go into the councils of the Provisional Government, or stay in the military?
Mr. McCandless. I carried my gun up there, and I was sent for, and I went out of the ranks into where the councils were. I know the first gentleman who called there was Maj. Wodehouse, the English minister. When he came in President Dole was sitting at a table about the size of this, at one end of it, and the members of the council around through the room. Mr. Wodehouse came in on that side and came around to President Dole and shook hands. I did not hear what was said; but the statement of President Dole afterwards was that the minister hoped the Government would protect Englishmen— see that the English subject's property was not jeopardized. And the Japanese minister was right behind him. He came in and spoke to President Dole, and did not speak afterwards. Then he and Mr. Wodehouse went out.
Senator Frye. What time was that?
Mr. McCandless. That was probably 4 o'clock; I think a little later than that Mr. Pringle called; just came in, did not say anything, just looked around and left.
Senator Frye. When did you send a communication to Mr. Stevens that you had proclaimed your government?
Mr. McCandless. They were all sent together.
Senator Frye. When you sent the messages to the other ministers?
Mr. McCandless. Yes. That was between 2 and 3 o'clock.
Senator Frye. When did you get your answer from minister Stevens?
Mr. McCandless. I think it came from him about half-past 4.
Senator Frye. After the English minister and the Japanese minister had called?
Mr. McCandless. Yes.
Senator Gray. Some others came?
Mr. McCandless. Those were the only two that came, Mr. Wodehouse and Mr. Fuge.
Senator Gray. Did any others come in?
Mr. McCandless. Mr. Canavara came later.
Senator Frye. Who was he?
Mr. McCandless. The Portuguese minister.
Senator Gray. Do you recollect when the reception of the note of recognition from Minister Stevens was?
Mr. McCandless. Yes; I was there when it came.
Senator Gray. You can not fix the time?
Mr. McCandless. Things were in such confusion that I could not fix the time exactly; but it was 4 or half-past 4 that the note of recognition came.
Senator Gray. Had Capt. Wiltse been in?
Mr. McCandless. I am not sure whether he came.
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Senator Gray. Had Mr. Swinburne been in? Mr. McCandless. They were in during the evening before dark; I mean the afternoon.
Senator Gray. Were they there before or after you sent out the notices?
Mr. McCandless. After the notices; I do not think any before.
Senator Gray. Had you any conversation with them that afternoon?
Mr. McCandless. No; I was kept busy on military matters and was in and out of the building.
Senator Gray. Did you see any of the United States forces, bluejackets, whatever they were?
Mr. McCandless. Of course, I knew where they were.
Senator Gray. Did you see them?
Mr. McCandless. No; not that I remember.
Senator Gray. Did you see the sentries?
Mr. McCandless. I did not pass the gate, so, of course, I could not see the sentries.
Senator Gray. Where were you; in the foreign minister's office?
Mr. McCandless. Of course, if I had come out to the front of the building and looked directly to the left—no; I could not see the gate from there, I would have to step out into the yard to the side gate. That I could see, but the front gate I could not, because of the Music Hall.
Senator Gray. Were you in the ranks, or a private?
Mr. McCandless. I was in the ranks.
Senator Gray. You had no officers?
Mr. McCandless. We took the officers of '87.
Senator Gray. You had officers, then?
Mr. McCandless. Yes.
Senator Gray. Did you have any military organization at the time you went there, or did you just go as you pleased?
Mr. McCandless. Oh, no; came up there organized.
Senator Gray. Did you have any communication, or any of the officers, with the commander of the U. S. troops?
Mr. McCandless. No; I do not think there was any one who had communication with the officers of the U. S. troops.
Senator Gray. Did I interrupt you? You got where these ministers came in, and you knew of the note of recognition from Minister Stevens, and so on.
Mr. McCandless. Probably a little earlier than that, probably 3 o'clock or a little after, a deputy marshal was sent up from down at the police headquarters. He came in and asked that the ministers— our ministers—go down to the police station in order to see if we could not effect a compromise. That is the statement he made. He said he was authorized to make the statement. That, of course, was refused. He said: "There are some of the ministers who would be glad to come up, but they are afraid."
Senator Gray. That is, of the old ministers?
Mr. McCandless. The old ministers, the Queen's ministers. I think he said if a couple of gentlemen will come down, that will inspire confidence in our ministers, and they will come up. He went back with word that if they would come up there would be no harm done; they would be allowed to come and depart again; and so Mr. Parker—there were two of them came up; I am not sure which two; but I think it was Parker and Cornwall came up, and Mr. Parker came in as good
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