St. Paul daily globe., 1893-06-01
STOOD BY NOROHQFF.
HaWaii's Provisional Govern
ment Displeased With His
Correspondence.
An Attempt to Make Him Dis
close His Authority for
State mantS.
Minister Blount Steps In, and
Authorities Back
Down.
The United States Will Not
Take Part in Internal
Conflicts.

cor several months, ana The WHOLE lOWll
is agog with excitement over late de-
velopments. First came arrests of
Messrs. Bush and Kenyon, editors OF
native papers, OH charge of libeling the
provisional government and Minister
Stevens; then publication of Secre-
tary Gresham's instructions to COmmiS-
sioner Blount. and warning by the
latter to anne XationistS that they could
not depend upon help from the United
States in case the royalists attempted to
reinstate their queen; then news OF
Blount's appointment as United States
minister to Hawaii. and finally an at
tempt of the provisional government to
silence Charles Nordhoff, correspond
ent of the New York Herald. and Min
lister Blount's interference in his behalf.
All sorts of alarmin~ rumOfs are af1oat,
and even Minister Bio 1T, who all along
has predicted that tnere will be no
trouble, is not now so confident.
On May Is Commissioner Blount gave
out for publication his letter of instruc--
tions from Secretary Gresham. The in
structions are quite voluminous. They
request Blount to investigate the condl-
ton of affairs OH the Hawaiian islands,
and say:
His Authority Paramount.
"Your authority in all matters touch
ing the relations of this government to
existing or other government of the
island and protection of our interests is
paramount, and in you alone, acting in
cooperation with the commander OF the
naval forces, is vested full discretion :
and power to determine when such
forces should be landed or Withdrawn"
Among other things stated by Secre-
tary Gresham are that Minister Stevens
will be instructed to furnish BlOunt
needed assistance and would perform
the usual functions of minister; that,
while the United States claims no right
to interfere in internal conflicts, this
government will adhere to its consistent
and established policy and will not
acquiesce in domestic interference by
other powers. At the end Of his in
structiOns, Mr.. Blount added the follow
ing postscript:
.'While Shall refrain from interfer-
ence between conflicting forces OF what
ever nationality for supremacy, l will
protect American citizens not particl-
pating in such conflict
Those few lines created great excite
ment, as they were regarded by all par
ties as plain invitation to the royal
lists to make trouble. The rOyalistS,
however, say they are not now prepared
to take advantage Of BlountS notice.
but will await the decision of the United
States. If the islands are annexed,
they and
The Queen Will Su bmit
to the inevitable and become good
Americans. If the islands are not an
nexed, as the royalists firmly believe
they will not be, then there may be
trouble. The provisional government,
although it does not look for any dis
turbalce, Is strengthening its position,
and claims to be able to hold together
for several years. until new admins
tratIon, if annexation is refused by
Mr.. Cleveland. On May II, news OF
Blount's appointment as United States
minister to Hawaii arrived. Mr..
Blount Immediately took the oath of Of
fee and entered upon his new duties.
Mr.. Blount, however. will not accept
the position permanently. but will ask
to be relieved as soon as practicable.
Blount's appointment is apparently
satisfactory to both parties here, as he
10 lCCoShiLO 40 POIlSeUJ ituPoi tiai'
His work as special commissioner is
completed, and report has been for
warded TO Washington.
Claus Spreckels is still vigorously
fighting against annexation, and is
charged by the anneXationists with
working In the interests of the sugar
trust, of which he is alleged to be
member. EXMiniSter Stevens sails to-
day for the United States. His friends
here have raised $1,000 with which to
purchase silver service, as token of
their esteem.
Nordhoft,s Case.
Although Minister Blount did no, for
mally enter upon his duties until May
%. he has already come into collision
with the provisional government. The
writings OF Charles Nordhotf, the New
York'S Herald's correspondent. have
greatly displeased the aunexationists,
who declared his statements to be un-
true. Nordhoff was threatened with
violence, and was furnished police pro-
lection. The provisional government
cited him to appear before the executive
and advisory councils ana give his
authority for certain statements.
who ordered him to pay no
attention to the demands of the provls-
ional govern ment. Blount takes the
stand that the provisional government
has 10 power to control correspondents
writing to a paper published in the
United states, and cites the Cutting case
in Mexico as precedent. Mr.. Blount
Is in correspondence with the govern
ment alb out the matter. and it is prob
able that, owing to his interference, the
provisional government will drop it.
The affair caused great excitement here.
L. G. Porter. the minister of finance,
resigned. and his place has been taken
by Vice President Damon. No one has
yet been selected to succeed Dam on as
vice president.