Jere Krischel at 07:16, 23 December 2005

2005-12-23T07:16:50Z

Jere Krischel at 04:56, 12 December 2005

2005-12-12T04:56:24Z

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y-20 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.
Senator GRAY. I ask you if he did not mean what I have said, or indicate
something of that meaning?
Mr. STEVENS. I think he indicated to me that Mr. Mills had arranged
for going to the hotel. I can not say that is the form of the
statement, but that is the implication.
Senator GRAY. That he refused the hospitality1?
Mr. STEVENS. That would not be a fair statement. They did not
propose free hospitality. They simply said he might pay the same as
would be charged at the hotel. I only took the message from them.
They asked me to give the message. I do not know—it was arranged
that they would be willing to furnish him accommodations at the same
rate as at the hotel.
Senator GRAY. Was anything said about "from nothing up"?
Mr. STEVENS. Some other parties might have used that expression,
but I was asked to make no such oiler.
Senator GRAY. Did anybody go out with you?
Mr. STEVENS. Yes; this committee went out.
Senator GRAY. Who were the committee—a committee of what?
Mr. STEVENS. Committee of citizens. Judge Hartwell, Dr. McGrew,
and Mr. Scott. Judge Hartwell has been oue of the supreme judges,
a leading lawyer.
Senator GRAY. Was Judge Hartwell one of the Provisional Government?
Mr. STEVENS. NO; he had no connection with it. And Mr. Scott is
the teacher of the high school, a man of very high standing, and has
been there for years. He was for six years at the royal college in
Japan.
Senator GRAY. Was there any committee from the Annexation
Club who went out, or communicated with Mr. Blount in regard to it?
Mr. STEVENS. I think the three gentlemen already named were members
of the Annexation Club. I am not sure that Judge Hartwell was.
They took these gentlemen because they were disconnected with the
Provisional Government and were American citizens. The Provisional
Government had nothing to do with it and did not know of it.
Senator GRAY. After Mr. Blount's arrival there, and after he was
established at his headquarters, did he ask any information of you
about the situation of affairs in Hawaii?
Mr. STEVENS. Not the slightest.
The CHAIRMAN. Did you offer to communicate to him any information
which you had in regard to the situation of affairs there?
Mr. STEVENS. It was not possible for me to do so without being discourteous.
The CHAIRMAN. Did you ask him to have any conference about the
condition of affairs in Hawaii?
Mr. STEVENS. NO.
The CHAIRMAN. Did he ask you whether it would be politic or safe
or unsafe to haul down the flag and order the troops on board ship ?
Mr. STEVENS. Not the least—not a word; never a hint of what he
was going to do.
The CHAIRMAN. Did he ask you what your relations were to Hawaii
and other foreign governments?
Mr. STEVENS. Not the least. He did not ask me to do what is usual
for a retiring minister to do—to go and introduce him to the foreign
representatives. I do not think he meant any harm in that. 1 do not
think he was posted as to diplomatic usage. But that is what custom
req uires.
HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. 921
The CHAIRMAN. Did you in any way interfere in any investigation
that he made while he was there?
Mr. STEVENS. Not the slightest.
The CHAIRMAN. Did you enter any protest or objection to his removing
troops from the shore?
Mr. STEVENS. Not the slightest.
The CHAIRMAN. Or hauling down the flag?
Mr. STEVENS. Not the least.
The CHAIRMAN. Did that act of removal, etc., produce any commotion
in the community?
Mr. STEVENS. An intense silent feeling.
The CHAIRMAN. I speak of outbreak or commotion?
Mr. STEVENS. Just the opposite of that—intense silence. But in
the homes of the families you would see the exhibition.
The CHAIRMAN. What is your information in regard to the power
of Liliuokalani, as Queen of Hawaii, to organize and conduct any
enterprise, political or military, for the purpose of displacing the Government
that exists there now?
Mr. STEVENS. I think she would have very little power. But I think
there are parties who might in her name do it; but I do not think it
probable.
The CHAIRMAN. Parties who might displace the existing Government?
Mr. STEVENS. NO; I do not say that. But I think it possible that
an expedition organized in California or Vancouver might attempt it,
if they could obtain the money to do it.
The CHAIRMAN. But I am speaking of the power of the Queen.
Mr. STEVENS. Her own power—nil.
The CHAIRMAN. I understand you, then, that without assistance from
foreign governments any enterprise of the character that I have just
asked about would be a failure?
Mr. STEVENS. An utter failure. There is not the least danger of
any attempt being made except by outside aid. That is my opinion.
The CHAIRMAN. Suppose that Liliuokalani had the undivided support
of the native born, of the Kanaka i>opulation, with all the resources
at their command, do you believe that she would be powerful
enough with that support to overturn the existing civil government in
those islands?
Mr. STEVENS. I think one-fourth of the force of the Provisional
Government could resist all the native force on the islands.
The CHAIRMAN. Then your answer must be, she would not be powerful
enough?
Mr. STEVENS. Not powerful enough. Two hundred American soldiers
could resist them all.
The CHAIRMAN. Do you consider the Hawaiian population, nativeborn
Kanaka population, as being a warlike population?
Mr. STEVENS. They are the reverse of that in every sense.
The CHAIRMAN. How would they compare with the American born ?
Mr. STEVENS. I should say that a native Kanaka force of 2,000, two
hundred United States soldiers would more than equal.
The CHAIRMAN. SO that you do not think the Provisional Government
is in any danger from the Hawaiian population?
Mr. STEVENS. Not the least. From the native population? It would
be the whites from whom the organized opposition would come.
The CHAIRMAN. Did you ascertain before you left Hawaii, and after

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Jere Krischel at 07:16, 23 December 2005

Jere Krischel at 04:56, 12 December 2005