The herald., 1893-11-08
A POLICY OF NEUTRALITY.

The Rumor About Liliuok alani's Restor-
alton Discredited.
WAsHINGToN, Nov. "A rumor has
been in circulation that the instructions
to Minister Willis, recently sent to
Hawaii. included authority to restore
queen Liliuokelani to her throne, and
that Willis has already taken steps in
! that direction. The rumor probably
| grewou Of the fact that the cabinet
held lengthy session today, and it is
understood the Hawaiian question was
the subject nnder discussion.
In the nature of things the minister
could not restore the queen. He can
disavow all the acts of Minister Stevens,
but nothing more. The restoration OF
the queen, it is understood, is a matter
that this government would leave to the
people of the islands, that and any form
Of the government the people might
adopt by vote OF those now authorized
to use the ballot in the islands.
A policy OF neutrality, with such pro-
lection as is necessary to all parties,
seema to be the aim of the administra-
tion, and as this would include the cup
porters OF the queen, as we'll as those of
the provisional government, it may be
construed as friendliness to her and re.
garded BY opponents of monarchy as an
effort toward restoration.
High officials in the administration
said tonight there was absolutely no
authority for the statement that Min
lister Willis had been instructed to
restore the queen. 1t is understood
Blount, late special commissioner TO
Hawaii, has been sent for and will be
| here in q few days in consultation with
the state department. While Blount
was still in Hawaii he published state-
ment from Secretary Gresham that this
United States had no further interest in
the islands than any other power. This
was taken in the islands as notitica-
tion that should an effort be made to
restore the queen the United States
would not interfere.
A gentleman long resident in the
islands Gays the Hawaiians are not pre-
pared to believe that this government
will take steps to restore the queen. 1t
is said even if United States marines
were to land with the purpose OF at
tempting it they would be forcibly re-
sisted. 1t lie not believed the natives
would take any steps to restore the
queen without being led by white men.
1t is alleged the British residents in the
islauds are the only persons that would
80 lead the natives. 1t is not denied
that should the United States refuse all
overIures fer annexation or protector
ate the inclination of Hawaii would be
to look to Great Britain, were it not for
the existence of the convention between
Great Britain and France, made in 1843,
mutually pledging themselves never to
| annex any portion of the islands, or in
any way assume a protectorate over
them. the policy OF the British resi-
dents is, therefore, to set up govern
ment strongly favorable to themselves
and antagonstic to the United States.
The Canadian Pacific railroad runs
line OF steamers to Australia via the
islands. These steamers carry freight
to points in the United States cheaper
than the rates direct over roads in the
United States, via San Francisco. The
British have large property interests in
the islands and the British government
always aims to secure political control
where its citizens have commercial
i interests.
The gentleman mentioned above
asserts that there were an effort made to
restore the queen, sentiment in the
islands would hold the United States
government morally responsible for the
resulting bloodshed. The existing gov.
ernment is determined, he says. to
maintain itself until it IL demonstrated
that no assistance is to be looked for
| from this government. When shown
that there are no grounds for looking to
| Great Britain or France. for the reason
stated above, Germany would be the
/ next resource.
The friends CT the present government