The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-01-02

A Diplomatic Contest for Ho-
nolulu Influence.
Sam and Bull Coercing Kameha-
meha's Successor.

AntorhatAOnal Run Tor the Sandwich
Islands-Grant ON His Mettlc-Gcneral
Schofield ON q Secret Mission.
General Schofeld, the United States military
commander OF the Pacific coast, has been author
lied to avail himself of the opportune sailing of
the California from San Francisco to Honolulu TO
take sea voyage for the benefit OF his health and
coincidently the State Department. avals itself Of
the opportune movement of an oficer possessing
80 highly the confidence OF the President to charge
him with brief, but secret and important, tele-
graphic instructions to watch closely the course OF
events in the Hawaiian Islands, cooperate with
General Pierce the American Minister. and de
careful that nothing be effected by foreign infu-
ence that is inmica to American interests without
timely warning and full information to the gov
eminent here. General Schoneld is not under
stood to be clothed with any active powers but the
government is quite willing that the British and
native authorities shall attach as much Importance
as they please to the visit Of the commander of the
Pacific Department In a national vessel, and with
at least semi-oicial character bestowed upon his
presence.
1t is quite well understood here that the Pres
dent considers, in view of the growth and import
ance of our Asatic trade, that the United States
have too great stake in the issue to permit Of any
further increase OF British influence and ascend
ency owing tOthe present crisis In the government
and policy OF the Sandwich Islands. The develop
ment Of our trade from San Francisco to China and
Japan Is one OF the Presidents preferred projects
in politics; and the incidental circumstance that
our Minister resident at Honolulu Is a family con-
nection and correspondent of the Executive
household enables the President now to take the
lead Of his Secretary for Foreign Affairs In meet
ing the situation brought about by the untimely
death Of King Kamehameha. The voyage
from his Official position, by reason of
the close intimacy between himself and the
President. The latter has unbounded faith in Scho-
fields political sagacty, and, though the President
is thought in we'll informed circles to rather over
estimate the capacity OF his lieutenant, it is adj
mitted that General Schoheld's talents are quite
equal TO the demands of the present occasion, and
that the selection was fully as wise as convenient
Boldly assuming the ultimate right of Intervention
arising from the important material interests
which the United States have to protect, It Is the
MISUNDERSTOOD intention of this government to
exercise at least equal influence with any other
foreign Power in settling the question of a new
government and policy for Hawaii, and to oppose to
the uttermOst any acts or propositions Of the ma
tive Powers that tend towards the further growth
OF British influence in the government. At the
time effort will be made to regain for the
AFFAIRS 1t is expected that as soon as the
situation is better understood our local
representatives will be entrusted with SUFFICIENT
discretionary power to act efficiently and it is
quite probable that further show Of naval power
will be made II vessels can be ordered to Honolulu
in time. 1t is asserted tonight, upon diplomatic
authority that the largest vessels Of the British
squadron in Japanese waters have been ordered
by telegraph to rendezvous immediately at Homo
lulu, and hence the necessity of corresponding &C.
ton on the part of our government.
The California the flagship of the Pacific squad
rOn which will in a day or two proceed to Homo
lulu, Is second rate screw Of twenty-one guns and
1000 tons. There are other vessels both OF the
Pacific and Asiatic squadrons, which will be
ordered to rendezvous at Honolulu without delay.
1t is expected that our naval representation will
be equal TO that Of the British squadron.
The President tonight said that II the
Hawaiian Islands were to be governed by q
foreign Power the United States had the first claim
on account OF the proximity OF those islands
and the important American interests at stake
there which are paramount to the claims
Of all other nations. The enterprise Of Americans
he said, had done more for the Sandwich Islands
than that OF any other nation, and the United
States could view with indifference the attempt
Of another Power to reap the benefits of that enter
prise. While at present protectorate would
serve our interests he believes that the Sandwich
Islands would be our next peaceabe acquisition of
territory.
Attorney General Williams and the
Louisiana Broil.
II appears that Attorney General Williams has
been used as a cover for the usurpation by federal
bayonets in the Louisiana trouble. He Is allowed
TO he made the target Of attack in order to shield
President Grant personally from the odium at
tached 10 the highhanded action Of the govern
ment. Attorney General Williams has merely exc
cuted the orders OF his chief; he has done nothing
OF his own initiation In the matter. The despatch
signed by him and addressed to Pinchback recog-
nizing him as the rightful Governor, and the Kel-
logg faction in the state House in New Orleans as
the rightful Legislature, was dictated by President
Grant himself. 1t is even said that it went against
his legal conscience to carry out the Instructions
of the President