The herald., 1893-06-07
POLITICAL AFFAIRS IN HAWAII
a Somewhat Calmer Feeling in
the Islands.
The Nordhoff Incident Dropped by
the Government.
CLAUS spueoisess -Creates - Sensation by
Demanding the Emmsdiste Pay
ment of s05 600 ThatIs
Owing Him.
Nv the Asaooiated praaa. !

BY the Associated Press.l
Honolulu, May 30.-(Via San Fran
cisco, per steamer Gaelic, June 6.-)Af-
fairs political have quieted considerably
during the past five days. The Nordhofl
affair has been dropped by the pro-
visional government and though the
usual number of alarming rumors have
been in circulation, the people have
failed to give them the customary
credence.
Claus Spreckela created mild aensa-
tion on May 10th by demanding the inn
mediate payment of 500. 5.000 owed him
by the government.
The dispatches from Washington stat
ing that Blount's report is undoubtedly
against annexation, are believed by
many people of both parties. The an-
nexationiste now say they will be satis-
fed with q protectorate inBuring relia-
BILE government. The Royaists on the
contrary say that the claim they made
all along that there would be no annex
alton has been verified, and that the
queen is to be reinstated. They say
that Mr.. Blount will report that she was
removed from her throne by the power
OF the United States, through Minister
Stevens, and that no other honorable
course remains but to use that same
power to put Liliuokalani once more at
the head of the government.
Claus Spreckels seems to be the most
powerful antagonist the provisional
government has at present. He ia
making vigorous campaign against
annexation. Ii is generally admitted
that the resignation OF Minister OF
Finance Porter was due to the influence
OF SpreckelB, in the hope that the gov
ernment would be embarrassed. In
stead, however, Vice-President s. NJ.
Damon, one OF the strongest men on the
islands, has stepped into the breach,
and on May 10Th took charge OF the de-
partment OF finance. On Monday
Hpreckels notified the government that
he wanted the immediate payment OF
$4,000 worth OF demand notes held by
him. Without awaiting reply, he left
the same day to lnapect plantation in
Hawaii. Minister Damon stated that
the government would have no trouble
in paying the debt. AT this time OF the
year the government finances are low,
as the taxes do not begin to come in
until tall. On this account the govern
ment is embarrassed TO certain extent.
Mr.. Spreoxels can sell the bonds he
helds, IL no other way can be found to
satisfy him.
For some days the officers OF the pro-
visional government have had under
consideration instructions to be sent to
Minister Thurston about the treaty of
annexation. II has been decided to in
etruct Thurston to ask, among other
things, that the control of the govern
ment lands be left to the Hawaiian gov
eminent to be disposed OF under a law
similar to the United States homestead
laws; also that the United States take
up the 100000 Hawaiian silver coinage
and recoin 1t into American money. The
labor q uastion was also under discussion,
and the policy of asking that the labor
laws ofathe United States be suspended
for q period of five years, as regards
their application TO Hawaii, was talked
of, when news came that Minister
Blount would receive instructions to
negotiate atreaty here. II had been in
tended to send Thurston instructions on
the steamer of June lst. but the govern
ment yesterday decided to defer action.
Minister Blount regards the situation
as peaceful and thinks that whatever
the solution OF the political problem,
there will be no fighting or bloodshed.
The announcement was made that on
Monday night, May goth, mass meet
ing of Royaliets would be held. 1t was
reported that the provisional govern
,ment would not permit the meeting and
Monday night was looked forward to
with interest by many. Monday after
noon; however, notice was sent out that
the meeting would not be held, as the
news from Washington made 1t unneces.
eary. The annexationists, although no
official notice had been given that any
interferenee would be attempted, said
that the Royalistn were afraid to meet.
On May Goth, Hon. J. $. Walker, for
many years prominent figure ia Island
politics, died OF aueurism. He came 60
Honolulu so years ego and WAS min.
ister of finance for elk yeare under King
kalakau.
The u. S. S. Boston left for a weeks
target practice at Msui ON MAY 29th,
and III. M. S. Hyacinthe viii leave for
Tahiti on juno Cd. The Hyscinthe ar
rived here several months ago with or
ders to remain only three weeks. but the
British commissioner requested her cap
tain to remain until the admiralty
could be communicated with. Orders
for her departure arrived On the Gaelic,
May Goth.
Today being Decoration day the &. A,
R. post here, most of the members OF
which are annexstioniste, will hold an
elaborate celebration,