The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-11-14
REAR-ADMIRAL SKERRETT.
He Arrives From Honolulu on the
Steamship China.

R-ADMIRAL SKERRETT.
He Arrives From Honolulu on the
Steamship China.
The China yesterday brought as pas
sepger from Honolulu Commodore Joseph
S. Skerrett, who has been acting as rear
admiral. He was accompanied by Charles
E. Fox, his fsg-ieutenant. and Lieuten-
ant Downs l.. Wilson, secretary. Several
other Hawaiian passengers were on board.
From what could he learned it is evident
that ere this an attempt has been made to
restore Liliuokalani to- her throne and
that the steps were taken shortly after the
departure of the China. That the powers
which rule this nation have long been
planning such an act is becoming clearer
every day, and the preparations made for
it can now be understood.
Although Rsar-Admiral Skerrett did not
openly favor the aDnexationists while he
was stationed at Honolulu, yet it could
easily be seen that he firmly believed in
the policy OF the Harrison administration.
In fact, lie is thorough American. It is
evident that President Cleveland believed
that another man would serve better to
carry out his un-AmericaD policy, so he
| ordered the naval commander to change
stations with Rear-Admiral John Irwin.
The latter arrived at Honolulu from Hong
Kong at P. NJ. November on the steam
ship China and Rear-Admiral Skerrett
sailed for San Francisco at 10 o'clock the
next morning on the same vessel.
When Admiral Skerrett sailed 1t was
evident to him that something of import
ance was on the eve of happening, but
what it was he had no idea, and the first
intmation of the true state OF affairs was
conveyed to him yesterday when he
reached port and read the newspapers.
"a few hours before we left Honolulu"
said be- ''we noticed that the royalists
were very iubilant about something and
the annexationists correspondingly de-
pressed"
Two days before the admiraPs departure
| Minister Willis had arrived. but 80 far as
the naval officers who came by the China
knew he had not presented his credentials
| The admiral and his lieutenants were ad-
verse yesterday to expressing any views
regarding the situation. However, it was
learned that in view of recent events they
are now pretty well convinced what was
done in Honolulu subsequent to their de-
parture.
As stated before, Minister Willis had
arrived and Rear-Admiral Irwin had as
sumed command of the naval forces. con-
sistipg of the Philadelphia and the Adams,
and the royalists were showing by their
manner that they had heard some good
news. Shortly after the departure of the
China. it is believed, troops from the Phila-
delphia were marched ashore and stationed
at the house known as Camp Boston. the
place where the marines and sailors from
the ship of that name were when the Pro-
visional Government was created. Then.
with the same show of force ashore as
when the American flag was hosted,
Minister Willis probably declared the
policy of the President of he United States
and urged the surrendering OF the Govern
ment by those in control to Queen Liliuo-
kalani and her advisers. In other words.
the restoration of everything to the state
which it was in when last January the
present Government was formed. This
request acceded to the troops would be
Withdrawn and the future of the islands
would be left to the residents.
But what If the Government refused to
give up the Offices? That's another story,
and one that may be told in letters of
blood.
President Dale of the Provisional Gov
ernment told Admiral Skerrett only few
weeks ago that he and the other whites on
the islands would never yield to the ma
tives: that if annexation was impossible
either, an appeal would be made to some
other country, or those in power would
create a Government in accord with the
views of the party now known as the an
nexationists.
1t is not believed that Minister Willis
has dared 60 so far as to make use of the
force which he probably landed and place
Liliuokalani on the throne at the point of
the bayonet.
"I don't think there has been any trouble
there" said the Rear-Admiral yesterday.
'Indeed hope not"
But further than this he refused to talk,
nor would he say what he would have done
we're he in command at this time.
Naval officers are not insensible to patri-
otism, but under the present administra-
ton they have got to pretend they are or
run the risk'0 q court-martial. They re-
member the case of Lieutenant Sullivan
when 1t was proven that the officers spoke
of an ''un-American" policy and suffered
thereby. The writer could relate some in
teresting expressions used by certain of
the officers, hut it would only serve TO get
them into trouble. The truth is that
general feeling of disgust pervades the en-
tire navy because of Mr.. Cleveland's weak
kneed Hawaiian policy. and there are only
two or three men serving on this coast who
do not show it. The Boston's men were
sick at heart when they had TO obey Com
missioner Haul-the-flag-d down Blount and
lower the stars and stripes. The Moh-
cans men did not take liberty the day the
incident occurred in Honolulu, preferring
to remain on board ship to going ashore
and witnessing the degrading sight. And
now the crews Of the Philadelphia and
Adams have got to aid in boosting fat,
ark-featured idolatress back on throne
where she will disregard all laws as she
once did before, and. so far as that fair
land is concerned, turn the hand of time
back ward.
"Faughv' exclaimed a man who has
sailed the world round in the employ of
Uncle Sam. ''The whole thing disgusts
me-"
Fren caTal officers y Il isaincd .as, the