Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-04
THEY SAW MIR. FOSTER
The Hawaiian Commissioners Re-
oeived This Morning.
A HALF HOURS TALK.
The Commissioners Presented Their Gre
dentials-A Diplomatic Silence Falls Upon
the Party-The Position of Minister Smith
The Visit to the State Department.

The first Official step in the direction of the
annexation Of Hawaii TO the United States was
taken this morning. The representatives OF
the provisional government, who have jour
neyed over 5000 miles with that object in
view, are losing time in the accom-
plishment of their mission. Their prompt
ness Of action is worthy OF the cause They
have not lost any time, whatever, since their
departure from their far of home
in the Pacific. The same expedition has
characterized their movements since
they reached the national capital They
arrived here yesterday afternoon and were
compelled to rest for the simple reason that IL
was then after official hours and too late TO
transact business with any Of the officials OF
this government.
Full arrangements for an early reception by
the diplomatic representative Of this govern
ment had been made in advance Of their arrival
and they had but to wait for the opening of the
State Department this morning to begin
the preliminary steps in the negotio-
tion for the treaty of annexation. These
arrangements were made by Mr.. Mott Smith,
the Hawaiian minister under the old regime
who has also been fully accredited as the diplo-
matte agent of the existing provisional gov
ernment He received notice of his ap-
pointment yesterday morning and was
instructed 10 arrange for the official
reception Of the commission from Ha-
waii at the earliest possible date. He there
upon waited on Secretary of State Foster and
arranged for the reception of the Hawaiian
delegation at the State Department at 10 O'Clock
this morning.
THEIR ARRIVAL AT THE STATE DEPARTMENT.
1t was five minutes after the hour named
when the delegation arrived at the department
this morning. Their tardiness was due prob
ably to the fact that they had walked over from
their hotel, and had not made proper calcula-
ton Of time and distance. The difference in
time was SO trifing, however, that it was
scarcely noticed.
There was a conspicuous absence of formality
attending their arrival at the department. The
party consisted of NJ Thurston and his four
associate commissioners, Mr.. Kinney, their
legal adviser, and Mr.. Mott Smith, the newly
accredited minister, who acted as their escort.
Ascending the elevator to the second floor Of
the building they were met by the Secretary's
colored messenger and ushered, at once and
where Secretary Foster and solicitor Partridge
were awaiting them.
THEIR RECEPTION BY MR.. FOSTER.
He arose at once and extended his hand 20
Minister Smith who advanced to the front and
then severally introduced the other members
Of the party commencing with Mr. Thurston,
the head Of the commission. What followed is
a mere matter of conjecture beyond the fact
that Mr.. Thurston handed the Sec
retary the credentials of the commissioners
signed by Mr.. Dole, the nominal head of the
by other members of the same government,
clothing them with full authority far
as the present government is concerned,
TO negotiate treaty OF annexation
with the United States. 1t is un-
derstood that the Secretary received these
documents with the remark that they would
receive thorough consideration apd that he
would communicate further with them in writ
ing after he had conferred with the President
on the subject.
Secretary Foster expressed his regret that be
was unable to receive the commissioners at his
own house, which had been closed in e1pecta-
tion Of his departure for Europe next week
The interview closed with an engagement TO
meet again at O'Clock this afternoon at the
same place.
The conference was closed at 1890 O'Clock,
having lasted a little less than half an hour.
The Hawaiian commissioners returned at
ouce to their hotel. where they discussed the
question of making 3 statement to the people
Of the United States upon the subject Of their
mission to this country.
REQUESTED NOT TO TALK.
Mr.. Thurston was asked whether the reccp-
tion by Secretary Foster had been satisfactory,
and he replied that it had been quite So OF
the details, however. he could not speak, as he
had been requested by Secretary Poster, pend
ing negotiations, to make no statements re-
garding the progress thereof
Other members Of the commission united |
with Mr.. Thurston in expressing much salts
faction over the manner of their re-
Secretary Foster to be an exceedingly af- |
fable gentleman, and he anticipated very |
pleasant relations between him and the com. |
missioners during their stay. They have been 1
cordially received by the representative of the |
United States government, he said, and this /
beginning he believed argued q satisfactory |
completion of their mission.
An INTERVIEW WITH THE PRESIDENT.
At their interview this afternoon it is ex-
pected that an hour will be fixed for the pre-
sentation Of the commissioners 10 President
Harrison
After the inaerview Secretary Foster said be /
had nothing new to communicate and owing
the the press Of other business he was unable \
to see newspaper men.
DIPLOMATIC SILENCE.
Reporters found that the brief stay the COM
missioners made this morning in the sacred
precincts of the solemn State Department
building served to envelop them comp:etsiy in
mysterious diplomatic reserve. Their reti-
cence was remarkable when compared with the
constant fow Of speech that has marked their
trip across the continent l.
Minister Smith nid. We'll, really you know,
can't say Q word See Mr.. Thurston."
Mr.. Thurston when found was very courteous,
but peculiarly uncomm unicativs on the subject
Of his visit.
The other eounissionsrs were equally rs-
tdcent this morning.
HINIsr4n sxrrn's PosrrIox.
Minister Smith said lass evening that - dos
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