The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1893-04-27
4 Maine WOman's Story Of the Ha.
Naiian Situation.
Commissioner Blount's Action Severely
Criticised-Why the Flag was Put Up
Japan's Growing Power and Ambition
Minister Stevens's Action Approved
at Hawaii.
Especial to the Press.1
HONOLULU. S. l. April s.

Associated in business and social rela-
lions as the nationalities must necessa-
rily be here-American, English, Ger
man and Portuguese chiefy-not a little
concern was felt at the time of the revo-
luton in January, as to what the event
might be: whether union or the most
disastrous kind of disruption would fol-
low; whether love of right, or love of re-
spective home governments would have
the supremacy.
The loyal way in which the emergency
was met, when men from almost every
civilized nation under the sun stood side
by side to support the provisional gov
eminent in the hour of peril, dlspelled
much anxiety and made even the faint
est hearts take courage.
And the government has each day
grown stronger The new council was
called to most trying place, with all
the anger and hatred of the royal party
to contend against; so insecure, not
knowing at the first whether for
eign powers would recognize them or
not; and with practically no laws,
for monarchy had been forever abro-
gated, and the old constitution consider
ing the rights of the sovereign must go
with the monarchy. Then, too, the
finances were in deplorable condition;
the late legislature having passed appro-
priation bills, some necessary, some en-
minently unwise, which were utterly i'm
possible to meet; the legislature having
counted on the prospective lottery bonus
to make good the deficit. But the wisest,
most experienced men in the kingdom,
with Judge Dole at the head, were
placed in charge of affairs, and their
patience, painstaking labor has been each
day rewarded.
In less than a week the commissioners
left for the States, to treat for terms of
annexation, and in the next week, Feb.
list, Minister Stevens raised the American
flag ever the government building, there
by assuring to the Hawaiian people the
protection of the United States.
This action of Minister Stevens, earnest
ly desired by the provisional government
and by nearly all foreign residents, has
been severely. and in our opinion IN
justly criticised by American papers.
The government was in the process of
organization; its supporters and volun-
teer troops were all business men of the
town, who gave their time and strength
most generously the first eight or ten
days, but that thing could not 90 on for
ever;-the business houses, the planta-
tions, the schools must be kept running
as usual; and until the new government
should have time to prove it's efficiency
unless the backing of some acknowledged
power with the authority it would bring
could be had,-a large force must be
kept up, which would involve great
strain upon the citizens.
Then, too, another consideration comes
in just here, which it will be necessary
to explain at some length.
very much question if the people of
the Eastern and Middle States have anv
conception of the growing power and
ambition of Japan. 1 had not looked up
the subject at all until came here. and
thought OF Japan merely as the dream
land we read of, a land of tea-gardens
and beautiful china, and painted doll
women, and all kinds of sensual charms.
But there is another, and practical side
to this Empire of the Rising Sun. and
before rs years have passed the nations
of the world will be obliged to recognize
it.
Less than 40 years ago Commodore
Preble first opened Japan's harbors to
the world, and the little people first
knew of the progress and advancement
OF other nations. Since then they have
embraced civilization, and in a great
measure Christianity, and are most eager
in their search for knowledge. I think
1t may be truly said that they are one of
the most progressive nations of the age,
not by any means the most enlightened
do not misunderstood me,-but one MAX
ing the longest strides onward and up
ward. They have schools, churches, art
leagues, and the nucleus of navy of
which h any nation ON might well be proud.
A Japanese told me few days ago
"all same Nanira,'' which is now lying
in Honolulu harbor. The ''Nanira'' is
of French build, a large heavily armed
cruiser Jour own American ''Charleston"
was modelled after her) thoroughly me d.
ern and up with the times in every way,
and is manned and differed entire by
japanese. And if there are nineteen
more ''all same'' across the sea,-why
Japan must be getting ready to hold her
own upon the high seas. This she in
tends to do, and not only to hold what
she has already, but to get more to hold.
The little missionary vessel, Morning
Star, arrived at this port March 2S, after
cruise of nearly ten months among the
islands in Micronesia. Her captain
Garland-reports that japanese traders
are beginning to open up brisk trade
between the groups of islands and Japan;
and that they are endeavoring to nego-
tiate with the Spanish authorities to OBJ
tain Ponape, one of the largest and most
important of the Caroline Islands for a
coaling and trading station, and that
they are DESTROYS of getting possession of
islands in other groups.
So. understanding all this, as some of
the residents of Honolulu do, when the
Nanira and a training ship Kon-go ap-
peared just as soon as they could reach
here after news of the revolution had
been forwarded to japan. is if to he