Home: The Annexation Of Hawaii: A Collection Of Document
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590 HAWAIIAN ISLANDS. and asked for the delivery up of the station house, the former urging that the government had been recognized by the American minister, and that any struggle would cause useless bloodshed. The marshal declared that he was able to cope with the forces of the Provisional Government and those of the United States successfully, if the latter interfered, and that he would not surrender except by the written order of the Queen. After considerable conference, the cabinet went with Messrs. Damon and Bolte to the Government building and met the Provisional Government, and there indicated a disposition to yield, but said that they must first consult with the Queen. The members of the Queen's cabinet, accompanied by Mr. Damon, preceded by the police, and met the Queen. There were also present Messrs. H. A. Widemann, Paul Neumann, E. 0. Macfarlane, J. O. Carter, and others. As to what occurred there I invite your attention to the following statement, made by the vice-president of the Provisional Government, and certified by him to be correct: Q. In that conversation you asked for a surrender of the forces and the ministers advised it? A. The different ones spoke and they all recommended it. Each one spoke. At first Judge Widemann was opposed to it, but he finally changed his mind on the advice of Mr. Neumann.. Mr. Neumann advised yielding. Each one advised it. Q. Was the advice of Neumann and the cabinet based on the idea that the Queen would have to contend with the United States forces as well as the forces of the Provisional Government? A. It was the Queen's idea that she could surrender pending a settlement at Washington, and it was on that condition that she gave up. If I remember right I spoke to her also. I said she could surrender or abdicate under protest. Q. And that the protest would be considered at a later period at Washington? A. At a later period. I knew it was the Queen's idea that Mr. Stevens was in sympathy with this movement. Q. But I am asking now as to what reasons the ministers gave for her acquiescence ? A.. It was their idea that it was useless to carry on; that it would be provocative of bloodshed and trouble if she persisted in the matter longer; that it was wiser for her to abdicate under protest and have a hearing at a later time; that the forces against her were too strong. Q. Did they indicate the United States forces in any way? A. I do not remember their doing so. Q. Do you know whether or not at that time they were under the impression that the United States forces were in sympathy with the revolution? A. Beyond an impression I know nothing definite. Q. What was the result of this conference with the Queen? What was agreed on? A. She signed a document surrendering her rights to the Provisional Government under protest. She was reluctant to agree to this, but was advised that the whole subject would come up for final consideration at Washington. I did tell her that she would have a perfect right to be heard at a later period. Q. By the United States Government? A. Yes. All the persons present except Mr. Damon formally state and certify that in this discussion it was conceded by all that Mr. Stevens had recognized the Provisional Government. This Mr. Damon says he does not clearly recollect, but that he is under the impression that at that time the Provisional Government had been recognized. Save Mr. Damon, these witnesses testify to the impression made on their minds and on that of the Queen that the American minister and the American naval commander were cooperating in the insurrectionary movement.