1126-1127
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Senator Gray. You were on those islands, for the reasons that you have described, from what date?
Mr. Hoes. From the 25th of September, 1891, until the 9th of March, 1893.
Senator Gray. You were there long enough to become very well acquainted with the residents of the island and the people, as you have related?
Mr. Hoes. Yes.
Senator Gray. Did you ever observe any considerable annexation sentiment before the emeute of January, 1893?
Mr. Hoes. I observed a very general opinion held by the prominent people there, that annexation was the ultimate solution of the Hawaiian question, but I did not observe any particular sentiment as to when that event would take place.
Senator Gray. Was that a growing sentiment among the American population, so called?
Mr. Hoes. I do not know whether it was growing; it seemed to be generally prevalent.
Senator Gray. I mean during the time you were there?
Mr. Hoes. Yes.
Senator Gray. Was it understood by you during the Saturday and Monday and Tuesday, which were the eventful ones in this revolution, there was a movement for annexation?
Mr. Hoes. I do not believe the people knew or cared what it was for, so long as it resulted in the establishment of good government. I believe the people reposed such absolute confidence in the committee of safety that they would follow them through fire and water.
Senator Gray. What people?
Mr. Hoes. I mean the people who desired law and order and good government.
Senator Gray. That is the portion that started the Provincial Government at the time?
Mr. Hoes. Yes, the portion that started it, and subsequently upheld it.
Senator Gray. Was it not a fact, in your own observation, that on Monday and Tuesday, particularly Tuesday, it was mooted about that this movement was an annexation movement as a fact?
Mr. Hoes. I have not any recollection that it was.
Senator Gray. One of the gentlemen who was a member of the committee of safety and was active in the military operations and has testified before the committee, in stirring up the people, as he was active in doing, he found that he could not do it until he told them it was for annexation to the United States. Have you any knowledge on that subject?
Mr. Hoes. I have no recollection of hearing that talked about at that time. The feeling of the people was simply as I have described it. It was such an intense desire to be rid of royalty, as it had existed and acted in Hawaii, that any solution would have been accepted if advocated by the committee of safety.
Senator Gray. Did you not understand that the proclamation of the Provisional Government declared that it would be established until annexation should be declared between the islands and the United States.
Mr. Hoes. I believe it was so expressed, but, I believe the meaning intended by that phrase----
Senator Gray. Do you not know that Mr. Thurston has always been an ardent annexationist??
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Mr. Hoes. I have heard Mr. Thurston make a great many addresses in the Legislature, but I never heard him use a phrase advocating annexation.
Senator Gray. Would you expect to hear him in the Legislature?
Mr. Hoes. The Legislature was made up of a band of honest men on one side, pitted against an unprincipled rabble on the other. Mr. Thurston was never afraid to express his honest convictions at any proper time, or in any fitting place, and, had he so chosen, he would nave been as willing to advocate annexation in the Legislature as upon the public rostrum.
Senator Gray. Did you expect him to advocate annexation in their Legislature?
Mr. Hoes. Yes; openly, at the proper time, had he seen fit.
Senator Gray. Why would he do it?
Mr. Hoes. I do not believe that those who might have been in favor of annexation thought the time was ripe for it. That leads me to say that, in my opinion, twenty-four hours, or even ten hours previous to the prorogation of that Legislature the idea of annexation as an event soon to be consummated never entered the head of any man composing the present Government and its band of officials, not even Thurston's.
Senator Gray. Many things that occurred within the course of the revolution, so called, so far as its time is concerned, but after the revolution, after the events commenced to shape themselves, did not you understand that annexation was a part of it?
Mr. Hoes. I did not until the proclamation was read by the Provisional Government.
Senator Gray. Were you present at the meetings of the committee of safety?
Mr. Hoes. Never.
Senator Gray. Were you not consulted by persons who were active in that revolution?
Mr. Hoes. What do you mean by consultation?
Senator Gray. As to their plans.
Mr. Hoes. No; I was in total ignorance of them.
Senator Gray. You were not in the movement?
Mr. Hoes. No.
Senator Gray. Did you see Mr. Stevens during those three days?
Mr. Hoes. I am unable to say, but very likely I did.
Senator Gray. But you have no distinct recollection? You could not say that you saw him at that time?
Mr. Hoes. I could not swear to it.
Senator Gray. And you can not speak of your own knowledge of his conduct during the period of which I have been speaking-three days?
Mr. Hoes. No; if you mean personal knowledge-knowledge that I would derive from Mr. Stevens himself.
Senator Gray. What lawyers call personal knowledge.
Mr. Hoes. No.
Adjourned to meet on notice.
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