The morning call., 1893-06-27
GROWING UNEASY.
The Hawaiian People Not
Satisfied.
A PERPLEXING SITUATION.
Minister Blount Not Popular With
Americans and Advocates of
Annexation.
A PERPLEXlNG SITUATION.
Special Correspondence of THE MORNING CALL

Honolulu, June 19.-While the situa-
ton has not materially changed since last
mail there have been interesting develop
ments which have more or less direct
bearing upon the annexation issue. The
fact that Minister Blount has subjected
himself to severe comment from anneXa-
tiouists by his conduct and that of his
private secretary is in itself significant.
Minister BlountS trip to the island Of
Maui. already reported in The CALL. has
been productive of chagrin on his part,
owing to the fact that his presence on the
SpreckeisvilIe plantation was taken ad-
vantage OF by the leading royalists Of
Maui, for the purpose of making it the
occasion of a political demonstration in
favor of the ex-Queen. Americans are of
the opinion it was largely Minister Blount's
fault, as he went there accompanied By
w. H. COrnwell, Charles NOrdhoff, Claus
Spreckels' son and Spreckel5' partner, w.
q. Irwin, all leading royalists and the
political pride of the ex-Queen's party.
1t was pointed out that up t0the moment
of Minister BIounCs trip to Maui he had
positively declined all invitations and
c0urtesies extended to him since his
arrival by the Americans resident here;
and the fact that he placed himself will
lngly in the hands OF the Toyallst leaders
on his Maui trip has subjected him to
more or less uncomfortable criticism from
his cOuntryWen.
On his return to Honolulu he took Occa-
sion to express the chagrin he felt at the
indignity which he considered had been
done him by his friends, the royalists, TAX
ing advantage OF his presence at SprecR-
elsville to have the laborers in the pay of
Messrs. Spreckels and Cornwell turn his
visit into the nucleus of political demon
straIion. He said this much to United
States Consul Severance, who apologiZed,
as best he could, 10 the Americans in
Honolulu.
Another thing which has brought Min
lister Blount into dsfavor is his refusal
last Saturday to attend a meeting of
American citizens called TO arrange for the
usual Fourth of July celebration 1t has
been the custom for the past fifty years
for the American Minister to personally
call such meeting to order.
Ia the present case. after much hesita-
ton, Minister Biount ordered the call
advertised in the local newspapers, and
the American residents assembled at the
Arlington House on last Saturday evening
in consequence. After waiting some time
United STATES Consul Severance called the
meeting to order and in explanation said:
Last year. as has been the custom, the
American Minister Stevens was present;
but MI Biount has just sent me word that
he was so pressed by business that he finds
il impossible TO attend and has requested
me to ill his place"
The announcement was received with
quiet smiles and the Americans, who were
out in force, proceeded to arrange for a
celebration which will be upon a larger
scale than ever. Minister Biount has
greatly injured himself with Americans
by this open evasion of his duty as Min
lister and by the reckless manner in which
he has broken through a local custom
without apparent reason.
1t is learned upon the very best author
ity that Minister Blount has not sent his
report, nor any portion thereof. to Wash
ington as yet. What he has sent thus far
has been in the form of briefs and general
outlines of the work done and to be- done
by him while here. He said to The CALI.
representative two days ago. Il have not
yet finished my report, aud conld OF get
ii finished for two weeks yet if had two
more typewrterS." He refused to answer
The question as to whether he would delay
his report until his return, which be ex-
poets will take place as soon as the next
mail from Washington arrives here by the
Alameda.
The Provisional Government is acting
very judlciously in carrying out diplomatic
arrangements for the future. In regard to
the proposed new treaty, 10 be submitted
to the United States, it has been decided
not to act further until word has been re-
Cf4ftu lIOHl bDt AltftIdHu dulllnlSCTd-
ton through Minister Thurston at Wash
ington, through whom this Government
has already asked for some definite ex-
preston Of opinion concerning annexation
or a protectOrate. In the meantime, the
Government has carried out its intention
TO forLify the executive building, which is
now surrounded by rife pits, and is prac-
ucally lmpregnable.
This afternoon, at the regular meeting
of the executive and advisory councils
Minister DamOn's report showed that
since the Provisional Government took
charge of affairs, the public debt had been
reduced by four hundred thousand dollars.
by payments TO depositors in the Postal
Savings Bank.
He also submitted statement, showing
that in case of annexation 10 the United
States this country would incur no liabili-
ties OF the national debt of Hawaii, as an
estimate made on the past five years re-
ceipts at the Custom house, on imports
exclusively of American goods. gave an
average of $500. 800 year. The debt is to
run twenty years in Hawaiian bonds,
which IN that time would yield revenue
OF Sc. 4l9. 200. This proved the duties on
foreign goods, exclusive of all Ameri.
can goods, would paw The interest and
principal of the Hawaiian national debt in
tie twenty years and leave q balance in
the treasury of S731, 700, without touching
other sources of revenue.
w. O.. Smith of the Daily Star has been
held to answer for libeling Claus Spreck-
els