The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-11-19
TROOPS WERE READY.
Strange Night Action on the Cruiser
PHILADELPHIA.


HONOLULU, Nov. 11.--In conversation
with the representative of the Associated
Press Minister Willis said there was no
political signific nee attached to the arri-
val of Admiral Irwin. as far as he knew.
When he left Washington nothing was
known of the change, and as a matter of
fact the admiral had arrived here under
sealed orders in cipher. From what Cap
tain Barker Of the Philadelphia had said
to him shortly after the admiral arrived
by the China be was inclined to the belief
that Admiral Skerrett had been recalled in
a similar manner.
Id speaking of his mission here Mr.
Willis has upon late occasion declared
his Instructions would not be known until
officially handed to the Provisional Gov
ernment
II will say this much," concluded the
Minister, ''that there is absolutely no
foundation for the various rumors afioat
since my arrival as to what l am empow-
cred to do or not to do. There are but
two or three men, even In WashinRto
who know what my instructions are. 1
must positively decline at present to state
whether / carry an ultimatum or a new
treaty or what"
The Provisional Government claimed to
be as much in the dark as everybody else.
During the night of Novem ber the
boats of the Philadelphia were dropped
into the water and were supplied with
loaded Gatling guns and small arms. A
detail of men were kept under orders all
night, and the boats we're not taken aboard
until A. NJ of the day following. An
interview with prominent Provisional
Government official failed TO throw light
on the circumstance. He said: "As we
are here 10 keep the peace the demonstra-
tion could not have been intended against
US. Yes, there have been recent threats,
but the Government has placed little cre-
dence In them. The royalists, if they
find their case hopeless, may try something
desperate. The United States seems bent
upon keeping the peace at all hazards,
though If it came to trouble it would prob
ably be virtually settled before the troops
could be landed from the warships. The
Government relies upon the citizens re-
serve guard in case of trouble. and Is con-
fident that 1t will not be disappointed"
During the last three days the Marshal
has personally met the citizens reserve
in squads and given them their last in
structions to be followed in case trouble
comes. Each man is armed with a Lee
Remington rifle and a belt of fifty car
| tridges. Every member of the guard rep
resents either the property or mercantile
interests of Honolulu. and, as the Marshal
significantly remarked. they are not in
this row to see 1t through for fun. There
is no doubt the organization of the cit
lzens' guard, now numbering over 400
men. has had a very salutary effect on the
unsettled state of the country.
The royalists, on the other hand. claim
that there is not and never has been any
danger except that worked up in the
imagin ations Of the annexationists. Their
leading men say they are confident the ex-
Queen will be restored. because the United
States must either annex the islands or
restore the old regime.
The arrival of Theo n. Davies created
no stir. He has attempted to gain an
audience by several anti-annexation
articles in the Bulletin, but thus lar his
work has seemingly failed.