The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-11-20
The Administrations Tragedy Il
Making 1t Ridiculous.
NEWS FROM HAWAII INDICATES
A BACK DOWN.

Minister Got Orders to Go SIow-so
Far, There Has Been Nothing But the
Exchange of High Sounding Speeches
New York, November 19.-The SUMS
summary of Hawaiian news brought by
the steamer Australia, which arrived at
San Francisco, Saturday, says:
Tho great moral lesson which Mr.. Cleve-
land expected to give the world on little
Hawaii has f1attened out into iasco.
Probably no government in recent times
has ever been placed in such position,
for its accredited representative, with
full authority to restore the Queen has
been bluffed by the provisional govern
ment, backed by standing army of 200
men and the moral sentiment of nine
tenths of the decent people of Hawaii.
The news that arrived by the steamer
Australia today was not as sensational
as was expected. Instead of fight we
have an opera bouffe, with diplomats
playing the leading role. The general
opinion among the Australia's passengers
was that the provisional government
would fight if forced to the wall, but
that there was no danger of bloodshed,
as Mr.. Cleveland's represen tative had
fairly taken water and recognized the
present government. The only danger to
be feared is from few hot-headed
royalists, who may try to attack the pro-
visional army in revenge for the upset.
ting of their plans and the death of the
Queens hope of restoration But these
| Il %eT 1,r-
prompt formation of the citizens reserve
of four hundred well known white men,
all of whom know how to handle rifle.
This force alone, without other aid,
could wipe out any army the Queen
could raise. There is some disaffection
in the provisional army, but it is not
serious enough to cause alarm SO long as
the citizens reserve can be summoned at
tap of bell, like the old vigilance com
mittee of San Francisco. The mem bers
are all armed with Remington rifles and
each has fifty cartridges. The kanakas
know these men are not fighting for
wages, like the provisional army, but
are men of property, whose fortunes
would be practically ruined should the
old monarchy be restored.
The way Nj. Cleveland's scheme to
oust the provisional government and
restore the mongrel Kanaka monarchy
was upset by Minister Thurston's
prompt warning to President Dole is told
in an accompanying despatch. There is
no question that Minister Willis, until
he learned that President Dole had been
warned of his secret plans, expected to
carry out the scheme which Gresham re-
vealed in his letter. A more complete
backdown was never seen. Willis is try
ing to hedge by declaring that only two
or three men in Washington knew what
his real instructions were; but he was
talking through his hat, as he had no
idea of that Gresham had published the
letter that gave the public a clear idea of
the Cabinets course.
The only significant event that has oc-
CURED since the last mail was the
presentation by Minister Willis of his
credentials. The ceremony took place in
the gold room of the government build
ing. Secretary Potter of the Hawaiian
foreign Office introduced Consul General
Mills to President Dole and Mr.. Mills
presented the new American Minister,
Mr.. Willis, after short pause and in
voice which trembled slightly as he
proceeded, delivered the following re-
marks from memory in a most impressive
manner:
s'Mr. President:-Mr. Blount, the late
Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Pleni-
potentiary of the United States to your
government, having resigned his office
when absent from his post, I have the
honor now to present his letter of re-
call, and to express for him his sincere
regret that he is unable in person to
make known his continued good wishes
in behalf of your people, and his CRATE
full appreciation of the many courtesies.
both personal and official, of which,
while here, he was the honored recipient.
l desire at the same time to place in your
hands the letter accrediting me as his
successor. In doing this am directed
by the President to give renewed assur-
ances of the friendship. interest. and
hearty good will which our government
entertains for you and for the people of
this island realm. Aside from our geo.
graphical proximity and the conseuuent
preponderating commercial interests
which centre here, the present advanced
civilization and Christianization of YOUR
people, together with your enlightened
codes of law, stand today beneficent
monuments of American zeal, courage
and intelligence. 1t is not surprising,
therefore, that the United States were
the first to recognize the independence of
the Hawaiian Islands and to welcome
them into the great family Of free,
equal, and sovereign nations: nor is it
surprising that this historic tie has been
strengthened from year to year by import
ant mutual reciprocitles and agree
ents, alike honorable and advantageous
to both governments Invoking that
spirit of peace, friendship and hospitality
which has ever been the shield and
sword of this country, l now, upon be-
half of the United States of America,
tender to your people the right hand of
good will, which trust may be as last
ing as | know it to be sincere, express
ing the hope that every yearswill promote
and perpetuate that good will to the
honor, happiness and prosperity of both
governments"
President Dole replied, reading from
manuscript, in the language following:
"Mr. Minister:-It is with much salts
faction that I receive the credentials YOU
bring from His Excellency, the President
of the United States of America, and
accrediting you as Enovy Extraordinary
and Minister Plenipotentiary to represent
that country at the capital of the
Hawaiian islands To your assurance of
the continued friendship of your govern
ment for me and the Hawaiian people,
and the qualification which a long expert
ence of the generous consideration of the
limited States for this country has
fostered, permit me to assure you that
we heartily reciprocate the expression of
interest and good will which you, on be-
half of the American people, have con-
veved to US. Partly from proximity,
nartIy frem the leading influence of
American citizens in the work of inaugu-