The record-union., 1893-11-24
Snecial to the REcoRp-UNIoN.

SpeClai W IIlo hECO6D-ON1ON.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 23.-There was a
notable lack of excitement in the recep-
ton of Hawaiian news to-day. The copy
right letter from Honolulu was read to
Secretary Gresham by an Associated
Press representative. At the portion
where Willis is reported to have said he
would be glad to see the American flag over
the Hawaiian and every other island in
the Pacific. the Secretary said: 81 do not
believe that" Even as subsequently
modified by Willis with the additional
lause, under proper conditions" the
Secretary said the Minister must have
been incorrectly reported. willis is a
capable man." he said. "He ought not
to have talked on that subject at all, and
l don't believe he did"
Commenting upon the dispatch, the
Secretary said there must be very mu uch
that was contained in ii that was not true.
He had especial reference to the part
which quoted Minister Willis. He did
not think Willis made even the remarks
which were given as corrected.
Upon reading the statement that Ad
miral Skerrett was recalled for attending
ball given by the Annexation Club,
Gresham said SIT is absurd"
The statement contained In letter re-
ceived in San Francisco from a private
correspondent in Honolulu that the Pro-
visional Government was under arms all
night preceding the departure of the Ala
media, attracted the Secretary's special
interest. ST that is true" he said, ''it is
not likely that your correspondent would
have failed to know it and speak OF it in
his letter. / think there are many in
accurate statements in the letter."
Regarding the assertion that Willis said
he would do nothing until he heard fur
ther from the State Department, he de-
clined to say anything.
There is no doubt that Minister Thur
ston and Secretary Gresham are PERSONA
non grate to one another. but each would
prefer to have the announcement of the
fact from the other. 1t probably would
not distress Thurston if Gresham were to
send him his passports. This would
admittedly be an act of war and would
place the Administration still further on
the defensive. but Gresham has no inten-
ton of giving Thurston an opportunity
to be made martyr of and will not send
him his passports. On the other hand, 1t
is probable that Gresham would not be
sorry ii ThurstOn were to demand his
passports. His position with relation to
the State Department is anomalous. The
diplomatic officers of the United States
have arraigned him on serious charges, to
sufficient ground for him to base de-
mand for his passports upon.
The intention to commit an unfriendly
act upon his Government has not been
communicated to him officially, and is,
therefore, according to diplomatic usage,
unknown to him. But he has ample
ground for demanding information from
official sources, and If it is refused him,
calling for his passports. But the Hawa-
iian Minister will probably not give up
the advantage he has in being in diplo
matte relations with this Government,
even though they are strained.
Gresham's theory is the Provisional
Government of Hawaii comes TO an end
with a notification from this Government
that annexation with the United States is
denied, the Government having been
formed for the purpose of annexation.
He may hold, under this theory, that
Thurston no longer holds any diplomatic
relation to this Government and that his
own Government has ceased to exist.
The statement reported as coming from
the Philadelphia that some action was to
be taken during the week following the
departure of the Alameda is regarded as
significant, tallying as it does with the
well-detined rumor circulated in Wash
ington on Tuesday that the Queen would
be restored on that day.
At the Hawaiian Legation Minister
Thurston had nothing to say on the news
reported. w. Armstrong of the Hawaiian
Legation said Friends Of the Provis-
ional Government feel that any delay that
brings nearer the time when the Pro-
visional Government shall receive news
of the reception accorded by the public to
Secretary Gresham's letter, gives added
assurance that the plan TO restore the ex-
Queen will be frustrated. For this reason
news of the past week in Honolulu will
be looked for with special interest The
earliest date at which news can reach the
outside world by the ordinary channels is
December 7th when the steamer Wari-
mos will arrive at Auckland, whence the
news will be cabled. News may be re-
celved via Vancouver on December 9Jn.o
Largely the day was one of speculation
at the Capitol regarding the situation in
Hawaii. 1t seems that the report which
came by way of New Zealand that
Cleveland had determined to restore the
Queen was surprise to the Administra-
ton. The manner in which Willis has
been performing his mission only adds
more mystery to the situation. There
has been a theory that it would be the
policy of Willis to allow the tension to
become so great that the supporters of the
Queen would organize and establish her
as the Government, and before there
could be a clash between the Queens
supporters and the forces of the Pro-
visional Government. But upon demon
stratious being made, marines from the
Philadelphia would be landed for the
purpose of protecting American life and
property, and when the Queen aecumu-
lated sufficient strength to warrant it he
would recognize her.
These theories and speculations were
INDUCED in all the more, because up to
$50 this afternoon it was denied at the
State Department that Willis had made
any communication to the department
by the Alameda. 1t is believed, how
ever. that some official Information was
received, the nature of which it was not
possible to obtain. The dispatches to-day
seem to indicate to the Administration
what they have heretofore asserted, that
the Provisional Government still stands
because it feels it is backed by the moral
support of the United States, and thus far
its acts have been approved by this Gov
ernment. At the same time it is plainly
evident that the armed resistance to the
royalists which the Provisional Govern
ment is making gave officials of the Ad
ministration no little concern.
Secretary Gresham received q cipher
message this afternoon from Minister
Willis, giving complete report of the
Hawaiian situation up to the time of the
departure of the Alameda. AS to the ex-
act contents of the message no one ont
side of the President and Cabinet knows.
The fact that a message was received was
given out, however, and it was also an
nounced that its contents were highly
satisfactory. This Is interpreted by off,