Hawaii Holomua, Volume II, Number 28, 2 February 1894 Edition 02 — Blount and Thurston. [ARTICLE]

Blount and Thurston.

The Hawaiian minister, Mr. Thurston, gives out an interview violently attacking Commissioner Blount and practically asserting that while Minister Stevens took a substantial part in the overthrow of the Queen the revolutionary party could have accomplished it anyway. Even were that established that fact would not justify the United States in using its military power to overthrow a friendly government. But Mr. Thurston makes no effort to impeach the testimony of Mr. Blount's witnesses and the affidavits of those gentlemen, all of whom were among the conspirators and all of whom are now officials of the provisional government, prove conclusively that Mr. Stevens consulted with the revolutionists before they attempted any action, that he promised them the aid of the troops in case of need, that he landed the Boston's marines twenty-four hours before the coup 'd etat. that he marched them not to the United States legation but to the street separating the palace and the government building, that these troops were fully armed and equipped with hospital facilities and other accompaniments of war, that the man selected by the conspirators for commander of the new government's forces refused to serve until assured by Minister Stevens that the American troops would support him, that thereupon the committee went up to the government house and read their proclamation and in the presence of the troops took possession, that as soon as this act was accomplished Mr. Stevens recognized them as the de facto government: that a committee waited upon the queen and they compelled her to abdicate, assuring her that they had the support of the United States troops, that she yielded under protest and on the assurance and with the express understanding among all parties that the matter would be reviewed at Washington, and finally that her cabinet and the people surrendered when convinced that the Boston's men would suppress any resistance. There points are all supported by affidavits from members of the present provisional government, men who naturally make out the best case possible for themselves and Mr. Stevens. Those points can therefore be taken as settled. Mr. Thurston makes no attempt to impeach their truth beyond a general denial. It must be admitted by candid men that the government of Liliuokalani was overthrown by a conspiracy of which the supposedly friendly United States minister was an active member. that the revolution was carried out by an unwarranted use of American soldiers, and that thus a rank abuse of power was perpetrated.