The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-08-25
BLOUNT IN FRISCO.
HE TALKS ABOUT HIS INVESTI
CATIONS.
No Recommendations Made But Many
Significant Facts Related-No
Comfort for Royalty.

lanes II. Blount, Minister to the Ha.
waiian islands, arrived on the Gaelic
from Honolulu yesterday morning,
accompanied by his wife and his secre-
tary, Ellis Mills. AS soon as the
vessel locked he was driven to the
Palace Hotel. Shortly after his arrival
there he was met by Claus Spreckels,
with whom he was in close conversa-
ton for upwards of an hour
When Mr.. Blount had concluded
his interview with Mr.. Spreckels he
gave representative of the Chronicle
a pleasant greeting.
az am glad to be back" he said,
though can't say my stay in Hawaii
was unpleasant. | shall leave for
Washington tomorrow. Had | not
been called to the capital directly l
should have gone first to my home in
Georgia, as have some private bust
ness there demanding my attention.
Possibly l may have to appear before a
committee of Congress before l can
return home"
GLOW did you leave affairs in the
islands," was asked
"All quiet. | should not have re-
turned home at this time if everything
was not peaceful. The condition there
is such that could safely leave with
out jeopardizing American interests or
the welfare of American citizens resi-
dent on the Islands. Everybody is
now awaiting the action of the United
States, and there is no disposition
toward turbulence or disorder"
"What will probably be the action of
the Government in the annexation
natter" inquired the reporter.
81 cannot tell any more than you
can. have not been informed as to
the views or intentions of the admins
tration on that question. was simply
delegated to inquire into the facts of ex-
isting conditions. l have done so, and
forwarded my report to the State De
partment over a month ago. As to
the nature of the report, l can give you
no information. 1t is for the State De-
partment to give out information regard
ing it. Manifestly, could not do SO
with proprety.
"What is the present state of feeling
in Hawaii over the question of annex
atom" asked the reporter.
81 have no opinions or conclusions
to offer. To do so would be to cause
misapprehensions and misconception
of my official mission. My duties
called for no interference in the domes,
tic concerns of Hawaii nor the ex-
preston of views concerning them, but
merely to inquire into existing facts
and conditions"
"ls there any strong sentiment In
Hawaii in favor of establishing sepa
rate republic for the islands,
"Very little, l think. AT presen,
the people down there are divided into
Annexationists and anti-annexationists
The present Government and the party
supporting it are in favor of annexation
A majority of those opposed to annex
alton are Royalists, hut there are some
who are not Royalists among them
As l said before, however, all politica
activity is in allegiance because of the
pending question Of annexation with
the United States. If annexation il
not accomplished, the condition o
affairs may change and public senti
ment divide on some other issue
New DIVISIONS may arise on new lines
AT present annexation or no annexa
ton is the line of political demarka
ton in the Islands"
"What do you think of the com
mercial and industrial future of thu
islands,
81 could express no opinion on tina
subject without going into matter
which concern my mission to Hawaii
That is a matter Of dispute down Their
even, and the basis of conclusions
imperfect. The facts themselves ar
in controversy and the statistical infor
nation of a doubtful and incomplete
character. Much transformation abou
the Islands has been published AM
many of the statements sent abroa
are erroneous and interested; that is
they are contentious in character an
devoid of the quality of abstract truth
Hardly any statement respecting Ha
wall can be accepted at the presen
time without confirmation by diligen
investigation. This is especially SO i
regard to the division Of the lands.
has been given out as an acknowledge
fact that the lands were divided up S
as to give the people one-third and tn
royal family and chiefs two-thirds
discovered that the people actually RI
ceived about $4,000 acres all told.
little over II, 900 received land at tn
division, which would make about tw
and one-haf acres head. So that
the beginning of constitutional govern
ment in Hawaii the common peop'
we're made practically landess, Tn
is an important fact to be consldere
in making up an estimate of the cor
dition of the country"
"Did you make study OF tn
strategic possibilities of Hawaii from
military or naval point of vew9
"No. The Government has had fu
reports on that subject from naval Ell
gineers. Pearl harbor has been su
veyed by competent engineers and II
whole question covered by elaoora