The morning call., 1893-05-17
QUIET IN HAWAII.
Commissioner Blount's s
Investigations.
TAKING A NEW TURN NOW.
He Talks With the Natives-Lean-
ing Towards the
Royalists.

The steamer Oceanic arrived here at an
early hour this morning from Hong-Kong
and Yokohama via Honolulu, which latter
port she left on the 10th inst.
The CALLS CORRESPONDENT at Hon oluIu
writes as follows: The news to date is un-
important.
The Provisional Government is taking
active steps in reforming the abuses of
the old regime Business methods in the
Customs and Finance departments are
being remodeled. and more or less re-
movals of royalst officials are taking place.
Commissioner Blount is pursuing the
even tenor of his way and continues his
Investigations increasingly, but certainly
not without results tending daily more
and more favorable to the cause
of annexation. No word comes from
the Commissioner He sits as placidly
silent as sphinx. and the reporter or cit
izen who reads the political riddle his per-
sOnality prOpounds will find himself not
only h0nored abroad, but applauded even
in his own country.
The CALL Tepresen tative called on the
Commissioner a few days ago. and, after
considerable difficulty, discovered that
Mr.. BlOunts Investigations were taking
new turn.
For weeks he has patiently listened to
the natives, put forward by half dozen
foreign royalists TO urge the ex Queens
claims for restitution. He is now inquir-
ing very closely into the capability of ma
tive Hawaiians for carrying on self-goy-
eminent at all.
At this point the natives are weak and
the Commissioner almost admitted to
The CALL representative that he feared
this was the greatest obstacle in the way
of the ex-Queen's demands for restoration.
The nature of the commissioners official
dispatches thus far sent to Washington
has been general. and when specific con-
fined to statements of fact relating to local
affairs and governmental conditions.
The people of the United States and at
Washington" said the commissioner,
know as little about the affairs of my
commission as the residents OF Hawaii, and
things will continue at stahdstiil until l
return and my report Is made. You can
say this much. but l want it distinctly
understood l am not here to pose for the
newspapers"
United States Minister Stevens is pre-
pairing TO leave for the United States
under an arrangement with the State
pCpdi lilCut ONGI year ago. Ilt
expects to sail hence on May q, and
it is probable some sort Of public fare
well will be rendered him on the eve of
his departure.
To The CALL representative Mr.. Stew
ems stated that TO prevent misstatements
when he arrived in the United States he
had prepared written statement regard
ing affairs here, which he would furnish
the newspapers.
The article win review the situation
leading up to the revolution, and will
throw much light upon several other mat
tiers Of Importance connected with diplo-
matte affairs here.
The Provisional Government is serious
ly considering the policy Of issuing a
public proclamation III favor of granting
the native nawaiians an unrestricted
TJtidg franchise under annexation. If
done within three months the natives will
be almosta a unit in favor of annexation.
Mrs. Blount left yesterday afternoon for
a trip TO the volcano. Commissioner
blount accompanied her to the steamer
where friends and acquaintances loaded
her with leis (wreaths). She will return
by the next steamer down.
AS Commissioner Blount left the inter-
island wharf he said to THE CALL
representative he had decided not
to visit the volcano. as he
had expected 10 do. owing to the
pressure Of public business in Honolulu
"Then you will not visit the other islands.
as reported?" asked the correspondent.
The Commissioner smiled family, rs II
conscious he had SAID too much, and re-
piled cautiously: well. at any rate 1
shan't 90 until my press OF business is over
here"
The most important event of the past
few days was the appointment OF Lorrin
a. ThurstOn as Minister to Washington to
succeed J. Mott Smith.