Mr. Willis to Mr. Gresham.
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands , June 23, 1894 .
Sir: Your dispatch No. 30 of the 2d instant, inclosing the Senate resolution of the 31st ultimo, reached here on the 16th instant. A copy was, on the same day, transmitted by me to the Hon. F. M. Hatch, minister for foreign affairs, for the information of his Government. [Page 1342] On the 21st instant I received a protest signed “Lilioukalani,” reciting from her standpoint the acts and facts prior and subsequent to the overthrow of her Government, protesting against all such acts, and “earnestly requesting” that the United States “will not extend its recognition to any such Government thus formed.”
Not feeling at liberty to answer or transmit this communication, I had an interview with Hon. Samuel Parker, the last minister of foreign affairs under the monarchy, to whom, after explaining the present attitude of our Government and my inability to forward any such communication, I handed, for information, a copy of your dispatch hereinbefore mentioned and of the Senate resolution accompanying it. This, course was adopted with the knowledge and consent of the Provisional Government. In reply to the direct question from Mr. Parker as to whether this was the final decision of the Senate, I said that in my opinion it was final.
The constitutional convention finished the first reading of the new constitution on the 21st instant. It is thought that it will be promulgated on the 4th of July.
Upon the suggestion of Admiral Walker I submitted a request for the landing of his troops for exercise on every Tuesday. This request was granted. It has been customary here for many years to give such permission to all nationalities. A subsequent request of a similar character in behalf of the British Government was first granted and on the following day refused. It is thought, however, that in view of past precedents, this action will be reversed.
The Japanese cruiser Takachiho has returned to Japan. The Congo remains.
There has been no disturbance here and no apparent probability of any in the immediate future.
With sentiments of high esteem, etc.,