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- to Hawaii and the commercial and humanitarian interests of that vast ocean.
- "Such a protective relation the United States has officially declared it will not permit any other nation to assume toward Hawaii. The progress of events demonstrates that, sooner or later, foreign intervention from some quarter is inevitable. If the United States insists that no other nation shall assume the responsibility of guaranteeing in Hawaii the blessings of civilized government, that responsibility the United States is morally bound to accept itself.
- "Boston, November 29,1893."
Senator Gray. You say that you arrived at the Government house on the 17th when the last words of the proclamation of the Provisional Government were being read?
Mr. Oleson. Yes.
Senator Gray. And that you observed about 100 men there?
Mr. Oleson. I immediately went into the Government yard and looked about. I should say that there must have been 100 men inside and outside the building.
Senator Frye. Armed men?
Mr. Oleson. Yes.
Senator Gray. I understand you did not count them?
Mr. Oleson. No; did not count them. But I have been used to seeing military companies.
Senator Gray. As there have been other estimates, I want to understand whether you counted the men there.
Mr. Oleson. No; I did not count them.
Senator Gray. Did you that afternoon go over to Arion Hall, where the United States troops were?
Mr. Oleson. No; they did not make the slightest impression----
Senator Gray. I asked if you went over there.
Mr. Oleson. No. Coming down Richard street Arion Hall is in full view. I did not see any troops, as I say; I saw but 2 sentries. Richard street is to the west of the palace. If you have a map here, I will trace my course. Here [indicating on the diagram] on the corner of King and Bethel streets was the point from which I started. I went along King to Fort street. I went down to the corner of Merchant, to Mr. Smith's office; came back Fort street to King street to the spot I started from, to see some friends. I came here [indicating], nearly to the corner of King and Fort streets, when I heard the shot. Then I went up Fort street to Hotel street and came through Hotel street to Palace lane. Coming along Hotel street, I went up Palace lane past the barracks. This [indicating] is Palace lane. I went through here up to Punchbowl street; up Punchbowl street to Beretania street, where the armory is. As I arrived here on Palace lane, in full view of Punchbowl street, Capt. Ziegler was passing—going down Punchbowl street. When I got up to the corner of Punchbowl and Beretania there was another company started down Punchbowl street. I went into the armory and shortly afterward came down Punchbowl street to Palace lane, and noted that there were none of the royal soldiers in sight; came down Richard street, and in coming down Richard street Arion Hall is in full view, back of the opera house. I came down through Richard street to Palace Square, down through that little lane [indicating], and went into the Government yard.
Senator Frye. And all the troops that you saw at Arion Hall were the 2 sentries?
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Mr. Oleson. Yes. They may have been there, but I did not see them, and I think I should have seen them. I was walking down Richard street with Prof. Scott, and we were talking about the situation and hurrying toward the Government building. We might have been in conversation, and for that reason not have seen them. But my impression is they were not there.
Senator Frye. Not in view.
Mr. Oleson. No.
Senator Gray. Did you know at that time that the soldiers were stationed there?
Mr. Oleson. Oh, yes; I knew they were there.
Senator Gray. And you did not look to see if they were there?
Mr. Oleson. No. I know they landed the night before and stopped on Mr. Atherton's grounds the night before.
Senator Gray. Who is Mr. Atherton, an American?
Mr. Oleson. Yes.
Senator Gray. Where is his house?
Mr. Oleson. He is a commission merchant.
Senator Gray. Will you point out his house?
Mr. Oleson. It is right out on King street.
Senator Gray. Has it large grounds around it?
Mr. Oleson. Yes—another house here [indicating], and then his grounds go clear through—extensive grounds.
Senator Gray. Were you out there when the troops were there?
Mr. Oleson. I went out when they were there; yes.
Senator Gray. That was on Monday evening?
Mr. Oleson. That was on Monday evening.
Senator Gray. Were you there when they marched away?
Mr. Oleson. I was not; no.
Senator Gray. Did you see Mr. Stevens that day?
Mr. Oleson. No.
Senator Gray. Of course you had no conversation with him if you did not see him ?
Mr. Oleson. I did not see him after his trip to Hawaii.
Senator Gray. Did you know many of these men whom you saw with arms around the Government building that day?
Mr. Oleson. I lived outside of the city; I know a good many men, having little to do with the affairs of the city; I know a good many by name. I know a good many of them were engaged in the revolution of 1887 and 1889.
Senator Gray. Did you talk with any of them that day?
Mr. Oleson. Yes; while we were at the Government building.
Senator Gray. How many of them?
Mr. Oleson. I went from one group to another to see what the sentiment was.
Senator Gray. The men were in groups?
Mr. Oleson. Yes.
Senator Gray. Not in military array?
Mr. Oleson. A large guard and two companies in line; the others were in the Government building, with arms stacked in the legislative hall.
Senator Gray. They were the men you talked to?
Mr. Oleson. Yes; not the men in line.
Senator Gray. Not the men in the line?
Mr. Oleson. I talked with some of them.
Senator Gray. Whom?