The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-04-06
thing in place Of Pea

further a movement looking to the estab-
lishment of a Hawaiian republic. Besides
these rumors another was circulated bear
ing some evidence of fact, owing to the re-
cent attempts at recruiting, to the effect that
the formation of an independent company
of militia for the ostensible purpose of pre-
serving order was under way. Altogether
the first half of Monday was lively day.
r. W. Wilcox, on being interviewed. de-
MED all knowledge or intent on his part of
the commission of any overt act.
He stated that at the "luau," or feast, given by
him on Sunday, March q, at his out-of-town
residence, two rifles had been used in target
practice, and this might have given rise to the
rumors of an intended attack by him. He
stated that his mind was not made up on the
annexation question. and he considered it time
enough to think of that project when the United
States should take measures to that end. Re-
garding the feasibility of Hawaiian republic
scheme, he expressed himselfin doubt, and said
that all he and his party, speaking moro par
ticularly of the native element, desired was fair
and representative government. All that the
natives had to object to at present was disen-
franchisement from voting for the mobiles by the
requisition of an income of $500 per year. He
hoped, however, that this grievance would be
remedied by the coming legislature.
He attributed the warlike preparations = a
projected coup d. etat concocted by L. A. Thurs
ton and other people in the sugar planters in
terest, who demand annexation for the purpose
of obtaining the sugar bounty given American
planters. He claimed that the placing of the
sandbags in position was intended as a ruse to
give plausibility to any report which Admiral
Brown might circulate relative to the unsettled
condition of affairs in this country and the dan
fal,@
tinually in. He believed that Wilson, who was
known as a tool of Thurston, had been seen in
the matter, and the breastworks had been left
purposely for public view.
Admiral Brown was not in good humor
when interviewed. and impressed the
nearer with the idea that he would settle
matters himself if things did not quiet
down. After patient interview, the ad-
miral said:
There was nothing tangible in the existing
rumor and he had no official informant on that
an attack had been expected on the morning of
the 2sth. He stated that he thought the whole
affair arose from an error of judgment on the
part of the officers in charge of the military gar
rison at the palace. He was satisfied that the
San Francisco could ably protect all the inter-
ests If necessary.
A careful investigation elected the fact
that information was being supplied by a
high official that the error was one of
judgment, the story being that the house
hold troops are in practice, drilling at
night to prepare for sudden attacks, and
in the course of the drill the sandbags
were placed in position, the guns run out
and other maneuvers participated in. On
the night Of the 9th the usual maneuvers
took place, under command of Marshal
Wilson and the subordinate officers of the
troops. After the drill was finished the
sandbags either through intent or carless-
ness, were left in position and remained
there through the 2sth to the interest of
thousands of sightseers, who flocked out
side the palace fences when they found no
revolution in progress.