Foreign Relations of the United States, 1894, Appendix II, Affairs in Hawaii

Mr. Willis to Mr. Gresham.

[Confidential.]

No. 28.]

Legation of the United States,
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, January 16, 1894.

Sir: On last Thursday, January 11, by a vote of 7 to 2, the 17th day of January, being the first anniversary of the Provisional Government, was declared a public holiday.

On yesterday afternoon the representatives of foreign governments received invitations to “participate in the observance of the day.”

Subsequently, the British minister, Maj. Wodehouse; the Portuguese chargé d’affaires and consul-general, Senhor Canavarro; the diplomatic agent and consul-general of Japan, Monsieur Fujii, together with Monsieur Vizzavona, chancellor and acting commissioner of France, called to inquire what reply the U. S. diplomatic agent would make.

I stated to these gentlemen that the course of our Government had not then been determined, but I did not feel at liberty to assent to the suggestion made by one of them that they should be guided exclusively in this matter by the United States. After an interchange of views they concluded that under the instructions of their respective governments they could not participate in the observance of the day and that they would so notify the Provisional Government.

This afternoon I replied to Mr. Dole’s letter, a copy of which reply I inclose, stating that “with due appreciation of his courtesy and with no disrespect to him or his Government, I was, I regretted to say, unable to accept the invitation extended.”

The programme of the celebration to-morrow includes battalion review and parade of military, reception at executive building, firing of national salute, and mass meeting at night, to be addressed by half a dozen speakers.

With high regard, I am, etc.,

Albert S. Willis,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary,
United States of America.

[Inclosure.]

Mr. Willis to Mr. Dole.

Legation of the United States,
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, January 16, 1894.

Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt on yesterday afternoon of your communication of January 13, 1894, informing me that “Wednesday, the 17th instant, will he observed as a national holiday. The Hawaiian flag will be displayed on all Government buildings and a national salute will be fired from the battery at noon,” and inviting me “to participate in the observance of the day.”

With due appreciation of your courtesy and with no disrespect to you or your Government, I am, I regret to say, unable to accept the invitation extended.

The letters inclosed in your communication, addressed to Admiral Irwin, Capt. Barker, and Capt. Nelson, of the U. S. Navy, were, as requested, transmitted to them, and the answers thereto I send herewith.

With renewed assurances of high consideration, and with the earnest hope that all questions between our governments may be speedily, honorably, and satisfactorily determined,

I am, etc.,

Albert S. Willis,
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary, United States of America.