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THE DAILY
Pacific Commercial Advertiser
WEDNESDAY, : JULY 31, 1889

THE events of the past twenty-four hours must needs be chronicled. This is the first time, in the history of civilized Hawaii, that Riot and Rebellion have shaken their gory locks at constitutional reform, and assayed to destroy the Government and the peace of our hitherto peaceful isles. It is the first time that Treason has drawn its sword and spilled the blood of Hawaiians, in a vain attempt to overthrow the lawful Government of the Kingdom. And this is the work of two or three men, on whom this Government has spent some twenty thousand dollars to give them a foreign military education—for what? —to destroy the peace of Hawaii by seducing a few score of deluded men to join them in raising the standard of revolution? No language that can be used will convey the detestation in which they should be held, or can portray the ingratitude and baseness of their acts, they are guilty of treason, and stand before the country convicted as traitors, deserving only the traitors doom prompt death. No further evidence of guilt is needed than their acts of yesterday. They are self-convicted criminals, and as such let the leaders be hung, without one day’s delay. The severity of such punishment will forever intimidate others from engaging in a similar rebellion. Nothing short of this will secure peace to the country, and this must and shall be maintained, at all hazards.

The impression was very general yesterday that the King was in sympathy with the Wilcox rebellion. In order to be fully satisfied regarding it, a gentlemen called on him at his boat house where he was staying in the afternoon and stated to him this feeling of the public. He immediately sat down and wrote a note to one of his ministers, which we are permitted to copy.

We are glad to be able to contradict the report which was certainly current yesterday, and was strengthened no doubt by the fact that some of the royal household were riding through the streets early in the day decked with wreaths. At such a time as this, such a display was out of place. Various reports were also current that it was Wilcox’s plan to ask the King to abdicate, and then proclaim Liliuokalani Queen, and he become her private minister. This may or may not have been his purpose, which happily has not been carried out. And it is to be hoped he may be placed where there can be no danger of harm from him in future.

GREAT RIOT!

Attempt to Overturn the Government

By Bob Wilcox and 150 Natives

The Palace Grounds and Gov’t House Taken Possession of
BY ARMED RIOTERS.
The Honolulu Rifles Called Out. The Opera House Bombarded by the Rioters.
7 HAWAIIAN'S KILLED AND 12 WOUNDED!
The Queen’s Bungalow Ruined by Dynamite Bombs
Surrender of the Rioters.
Notes and Incidents.

A daring and serious, although futile, insurrection broke out in this city about 4 a.m. yesterday, which paralized business for the day and called out the Honolulu Rifles to actual warfare in seige practice.

Two half-white Hawaiians, named Robt. W. Wilcox, and Robt. Boyd, who had been sent at the Government expense to be educated at an Italian Military School, had been plotting an insurrection for some time; but the rumors that were current were little heeded until the movement culminated in an armed band, of about 150 native Hawaiians, marching from Palama to Honolulu, two miles, and securing entrance to the Palace grounds.

In Honolulu all was quiet during the night, although in most of the native houses lights were seen burning at midnight and during the very early hours of morning, contrary to usual practice. About 1 am. an unusual number of natives and Chinamen were seen on the streets, as if something very uncommon was about to happen; but white people went to bed as usual, and in the absence of electric lights darkness and silence reigned on the thoroughfares.

From the most authentic sources, we learn that the rebel rioters formed at Palama; and about 3 a.m. yesterday, marched from that suburb to the city- arriving at the mauka gate of the Palace at 4 a. m. They knocked at this gate and demanded admittance; when, after some parleying, they entered the grounds unopposed. The Palama rioters were joined by other squads from Likelike street and other localities; and, at one time, the rebels upon the Palace grounds must have numbered about 250 individuals.

THE KING WAS ABSENT

THE KING WAS ABSENT from the Palace at the time, and he slept at the Punchbowl street residence of his consort; but an alarm was sent to him by telephone, and he telephoned for his Chamberlain Mr. Jas. W. Rob-ertson. The royal party then hastened to the King’s boat-house, where they remained during the day undisturbed and guarded by about a dozen Household troops.

Meanwhile the rebels summoned Lieut. R. Parker to surrender the Palace; but that officer heroically refused to surrender, although repeated demands were made by Wilcox, the leader of the rebels, to do so. Seeing this stubborn resistence, many of the rebels deserted, and Wilcox found that he had scarcely 150 men left. With this number, however, he determined to maintain the position which he had gained, and set about placing his men in position.

THE GENERAL ALARM

THE GENERAL ALARM was spread throughout the city by means of the telephone from the central offices, about 8 a.m., and the Honolulu Rifles were immediately ordered to report at their armories. When the alarm was first given there was a great deal of excitement, especially among the Portuguese and Chinese. Numbers of families fled to the top of Punchbowl Hill, and a few ladies took refuge at the Am-erican legation, where a corps of marines from the U. S. S. Adams was stationed.

Lieut. Parker manfully held the Palace with about a dozen soldiers of the King’s Guard fully armed; and Wilcox was gayly arrayed in an Italian uniform, although during the fusilade he hid in a gasoline tank from which position he issued his orders.

A Cabinet council was held early in the forenoon; and, with the three Ministers present, were convened the American, British, French and Portuguese Commissioners, also Captain Woodward of the U.S.S. Adams. This Council decided to demand the surrender of Wilcox; and His Excellency S.M. Damon was appointed to carry out the demand, although his mission proved to be unsuccessful.

The Cabinet appointed Colonel V.V. Ashford to command the Government forces, and to report to it all arrangements made to preserve the authority of the Government. At 10 a. m.

MR. DAMON’S MISSION

MR. DAMON’S MISSION was undertaken, and he proceeded to the King street entrance of the Palace grounds, but not before several shots had been exchanged between the Honolulu Rifles and the rioters within. Mr. Damon was subsequently refused admission, and at this time the rioters had turned the field pieces upon the sharpshooters who had found a lodgement in the Opera House opposite to and commanding a range of the grounds. Mr. Damon, who was attended by Lieutenant Kamana, had to escape between the two fires which had now become heavy. The field pieces of the rioters were soon silenced by the fire of the sharpshooters who kept up a steady fusilade upon the men at these guns as long as any of the rebel gunners appeared in sight.

At first only about 100 men of the Rifles reported for duty, but soon their numbers greatly increased.

By 11 a. m. the rioters had all taken shelter in the bungalow situated in the Palace grounds, and the fire of the rifles slackened to only an occasional shot as rioters came within their range. From this time there was little or no firing done by the rioters, still there was no appearance of surrender. A squad of the Honolulu Rifles had also occupied a vantage position in Kawaiahao church, and others in private houses where a range of the grounds could be had. The arrangements of the volunteers throughout the day were perfect, and it was known by noon that the surrender of the rioters was only a question of a few hours. Yet, it was apparent that stronger measures had to be taken to drive them from the bungalow where they were safe from the rifle shots, and no heavy ordinance was available to the troops outside. These measures were finally taken, however, as will appear later on.

Both telephone lines were in charge of the government from an early hour in the forenoon; and this, although a wise move, added greatly to the uncertainty of the proceedings told among the people.

About noon four deserters from the rioters climbed up and leaped over the Palace walls, one of whom had been seriously wounded in the hand by a rifle ball. These men were immediately arrested, and the demoralization that had set in among the rioters was first learned from them.

THE POLICE STATION

THE POLICE STATION was the center of information during the day, and the Police Court adjoining was made Government headquarters for the time being. Two Gattling or machine guns were stationed in front of these buildings, and here the volunteers improvised their headquarters also.

About thirty rioters surrendered to Lieut. Parker at 1 p. m. and were disarmed and kept in confinement in the basement of the Palace, until removed to the Station House at a later hour, under a corporal’s guard of eight volunteers.

For some hours the Government Buildings had been held by a detachment of the rioters, but about 12 m. these were disloged by the volunteers who forthwith took possession, although not before a rioter of mixed negro blood had been killed in front of that building.

The saloons were closed during the day; and crowds congregated at the street corners talking of the all prevailing subject of the riot, gaping with anxiety to hear the latest reports, or listening to stories that were more frequently false than true. Early in the afternoon it was planned to make a closer attack upon the rebels’ stronghold at 4.30 P.M.; but it was not until 5.30 P.M. that active operations in this direction actually begun. A corps of volunteers took up a position in the Coney premeses which commanded the bungalow, and from thence

DYNAMITE BOMBS

DYNAMITE BOMBS were thrown at the doomed building.

While this bombardment lasted the sharpshooters from the Opera House kept up a steady and furious fusilade, until finally, after an hour’s bombardment the rioters rushed from the building waving a white sheet upon a pole, and shouting “peace” “surrender” etc.

The gates were then thrown open, and a force of volunteers entered and took the whole of the rioters prisoners. The firing ceased about 7 p. m. and Wilcox was marched to the Station House at 7:15 p. m.—his comrade prisoners arriving at the lock-up a few minutes later.

Thus ended the most stupid, bold and destructive riot that ever took place on the Hawaiian Islands since the advent of the white man upon these shores.

GENERAL REMARKS

It was feared that, if the rioters could not be dislodged and taken before darkness set in, that they might be able to get the field pieces hoisted to the second story veranda of the Palace or some elevated position and bring them to bear upon the city; but so long as the Palace remained in possession of Lieutenant Parker, such a move on the part of the rioters would have been difficult if not impossible.

It was also surmised with more show of reason that sympathizers with the rebels, of whom there were known to be a considerable number who did not take active part with them, might set fire to the city during night; and marshal law was proclaimed to take place at 10 p. m., after which hour no person was to appear on the streets. An armed patrol was also organized to watch the city during the night, composed of the Honolulu Rifles, blue jackets and marines from U.S.S. Adams, and citizen volunteers as special constables, besides the whole police force. There were, however, no attempts at incendiarism.

There were several plans of programme said to have been formed by Wilcox in the rash riot that he made. One report of this nature was to the effect that he intended to secure the person of the King, compel him to abdicate in favor of his sister Liliuokalani, heir apparent, and demand a new Constitution and a new Cabinet. This was probably the plan proposed either in whole or in a modified form; but matters were kept so very secretly, that even as we write the exact reasons are unknown, although they may be expected to be devulged during the day.

Early in the skirmish Robert Boyd, chief lieutenant of Wilcox, was severely wounded in two places. He is another of the proteges sent to Italy for a military education at the Government expence, and this was the use that he and Wilcox made of it.

Among the incidents it may by mentioned that Mr. Hutchinson, the sculptor, was in the Palace all the forenoon during the heaviest of the fireing. He was at work modeling a bust of the King and was in no way disturbed; but when he left the Palace at dinner time and passed the rebel sentries, he concluded it was safer not to go back in the afternoon, and he didn’t.

We learn that it was the desire of the government that the resident forces should alone put down the riot; and that with this view they did not call upon the American man-of-war now in port for assistance. The marines of that vessel, however, were on duty all day at the American legation; and seventy blue jackets came ashore after the riot was over, to form part of the night patrol. There were also in readiness from the Adams, a few 3-inch rifle guns and gattling guns should the riot have proved serious enough for the use of these weapons.

The Palace doors, and also those of the Government buildings, were kept closed during the day.

All able-bodied Government officials were summoned for armed duty, and many of these were furnished with firearms. Mr. Justice Dole shouldered a rifle among the others.

G. Shuman, a private in the Honolulu Rifles, was arrested by the rioters while he was on guard in Palace Square. They took him within the wall, where he was disarmed and then set free.

During the final attack upon the Bungalow, the bombardment was operated by Messrs. Hay Wodehouse and Arthur Turton.

CASUALTIES

Among those opposed to the rioters, the only serious casualty that we have been able to learn, previous to going to press, was a wound in the shoulder received by Lieut. Parker; and it is supposed it was from a shot fired by Wilcox.

On the side of the rioters there were seven killed and twelve wounded, several seriously. The killed were: Paui, a drayman in the employ of Macfarlane & Co.; Luika, a kanaka in uniform; Hiki, driver for Waller & Co.; Palau, driver for C. Hustace; Pelelua, harness maker with Foster & Co.; and two others whose names are not known. They have been taken to the undertaker’s for coffins. The wounded, so far as we have been able to find out, are: Robert Boyd, shot in the leg and also grazed in the head, both painful wounds but not considered serious; George Markham, shot through fleshy part of arm; a kanaka, whose name we did not learn, was shot in the hand rather seriously. Kamai, formerly a schoolmaster at Waipio, was one of the rioters who deserted Wilcox and jumped the wall. He was wounded in leg and hand. Wilcox is said to have shot two of his own men who were attempting to desert, and there are nine others whose names were unknown when we received the report.

Drs. Rodgers and Wood are engaged dressing the wounds of the prisoners at the several places of confinement.

It was reported that the half negro killed in front of the Government building was John Hapa, but the name is doubtful.

A number of the rioters escaped by jumping over the Palace wall and running the gauntlet, but most of these will yet be arrested. There are only some fifty arrests of rioters made altogether.

The Bungalow was very much damaged by the dynamite bombs—literally torn to pieces, and the Opera House is also somewhat damaged.

CONCLUDING REMARKS

The military arrangements made by Col. V.V. Ashford were of the most perfect description, and that gentleman deserves great credit for his skill and energy in pushing the military operations to a rapid and successful termination. Major Hebbard is also entitled to a large meed of praise for carrying out skilfully the details entrusted to him.

The following persons were arrested for treason, although they were not actively engaged in the riot: J. D. McDonald, Joseph M. Poepoe and Charles Clark. These men were arrested during the day; but the police had a string of other names whose owners will be arrested later for the same offence.

Among the rioters were a number of ex-policemen.

His Excellency L. A. Thurston arrived by the Kaala this morning at 1 o’clock. He had gone to Molokai to quell a disturbance there, and the Kaala was dispatched early yesterday to bring him back in the emergency.

The following is a copy of the Marshal’s notice to able bodied government officials, stuck up in prominent places throughout the city yesterday forenoon:

Every able-bodied male employee of the Hawaiian Government within the city, without exception, is ordered forthwith to report for duty to the Marshal of the Kingdom.

This notice was signed by John H. Soper, Marshal, and countersigned by the three Cabinet Ministers then present in the city.

Ladies were serving hot coffee during yesterday to the sharpshooters and other volunteers engaged in the suppression of the riot.

The King’s barracks were in charge of Household troops all day.

In concluding this lengthened report, we may add that the riot described, although long premeditated and planned, was one of the most silly and hopeless attempts to overturn the Hawaiian Government that could be imagined. Nothing but gross ignorance of the situation could have prompted any such attempt; and, had the rioters been white men, a lunatic asylum or a hempen cravat would have been the most suitable punishment that could have been meted out to them all.