1116-1117
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Mr. Hoes. It reads as follows:
- "Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, January 17,1893.
- "PROVISIONAL GOVERNMENT OF THE HAWAIIAN ISLANDS.
- {sc|Order No. 1.}}
- "All persons favorable to the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands are hereby requested to forthwith report to the Government at the Government building and to furnish to the Government such arms and ammunition as they may have in their possession or control as soon as possible in order that efficient and complete protection of life and property and the public peace may immediately and efficiently be put into operation.
- "Sanford B. Dole,
- "J. A. King,
- "P. C. Jones,
- "William O. Smith,
- "Executive Council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands.
- "John Emmeluth,
- "Andrew Brown,
- "C. Bolte,
- "James F. Morgan,
- "Henry Waterhouse,
- "S. M. Damon,
- "W. G. Ashley,
- "E. D. Tenney,
- "F. W. McChesney,
- "W. C. Wilder,
- "Advisory Council of the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands”
Senator Frye. Do you know how many troops the Provisional Government had at the time they took possession of the Government buildings?
Mr. Hoes. Do you mean before that night was over?
Senator Frye. Yes.
Mr. Hoes. I do not know. I should say several hundred.
Senator Frye. Armed or otherwise?
Mr. Hoes. I think they were all armed. Among them were many of the best men in the community.
Senator Frye. Do you know how many they succeeded in getting under arms under that proclamation?
Mr. Hoes. I do not. I believe the number was increased steadily day by day, but to what extent I do not know.
Senator Frye. Going back to Monday. In your opinion was there such a condition of things existing in Honolulu at that time as to require the presence of the American troops from the Boston to protect American life and property?
Mr. Hoes. Most decidedly, in my opinion.
Senator Frye. During all those weeks of revolution, and after the United States troops had arrived, did those troops take any part in the conflict between the Queen and the Provisional Government?
Mr. Hoes. No, not to my knowledge.
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Senator Frye. Do you know whether during all that time of the days of the revolution the Provisional Government had any expectation of the assistance of the American troops?
Mr. Hoes. I never heard it suggested.
Senator Frye. In your opinion if the Boston had been a thousand miles at sea instead of in the harbor, would the Provisional Government have become a government at that time?
Mr. Hoes. I believe it would.
Senator Frye. In your opinion had it sufficient force to overcome all that the Queen could bring against it?
Mr. Hoes. I think it had sufficent moral force and physical force.
Senator Frye. Have you any doubt that the Provisional Government would have gone forward even in the absence of the Boston and the American troops?
Mr. Hoes. I think the sentiment of the people would have forced the issue at that time.
The Chairman. The sentiment in regard to what?
Mr. Hoes. The sentiment of the people as to their individual and collective rights.
The Chairman. Do you mean under the constitution?
Mr. Hoes. I mean under the higher constitution, the constitution of revolution.
Senator Frye. Did you have any conversation with any prominent Hawaiians in relation to the change of government?
Mr. Hoes. I mingled a good deal during the time I was in Honolulu among the common Hawaiian people and among the prominent Hawaiian people. I was constantly studying the historical side of the question, as well as contemporary opinion, and I was persistently trying to learn the views of the people. To answer your question more exactly, I did have conversation with prominent Hawaiians.
Senator Frye. Did you have any conversation with J. A. Kawainui?
Mr. Hoes. Yes. He was the editor of the most prominent newspaper in the Kingdom—the Kuakoa.
Senator Frye. When did you have that conversation?
Mr. Hoes. Shortly after the revolution.
Senator Frye. Will you please read it?
Mr. Hoes. Yes, sir. (Reading:)
- "The Kemehameha dynasty had a strong hold upon the native heart because of its noble ancestry, but Kalakaua and the late Queen, on account of their comparatively ignoble origin, did not command the respect due to genuine high chiefs. The corruption of Kalakaua and her late majesty have brought sore evils upon the Hawaiians. Then, too, certain designing foreigners have exercised a very pernicious political influence on the natives, and have sought to use them only for the accomplishment of their own ends. For my part I am tired of this state of things. What I want is good government. I do not care for a condition of affairs that is constantly shifting. We need a government that will be respected abroad and trusted at home. Either annexation to the United States or a protectorate. I prefer the former because of its greater stability. With annexation we should, of course, to a great degree enjoy the same condition of things that prevails in America. I have had enough of monarchy, and believe that the safety and prosperity of the country is dependent upon its annexation to the United States, and there are many of the intelligent native Hawaiians who agree with me in this opinion. The majority of my race are ignorant of what is really conducive to their best interests. It can not be a
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