Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-04-06
MIR. BLOUNr REACHES HONOLULU.
A Hearty Welcome Given by the Annexa-
tion Club.

A Hearty Welcome Given by the Annexa-
tion Club.
The United States revenue cutter Rush ar
rived at Honolulu on March 90, nine days from
San Francisco, having on board eI-Congress-
man Blount OF Georgia, who was appointed
commissioner to investigate the existing con-
dition in Hawaii and report rs to the expedi-
sncy of the annexation OF the islands to the
United States.
As soon As the cutter was sighted off Koko
Head business men went to work and In q short
time the streets and buildings were covered
with flags and bunting. The townspeople
turned out, and when the Rush anchored in
Naval Row the docks and streets we're crowded
The mail steamer Australia, which was sched-
uled to leave at noon. was held back. and from
her deck the band of the provisional govern
ment welcomed the new arrivals with strains of
the ''Star Spsngled Banner"
WELCOMING THE COMMISSIONER.
A delegation from the Annexation Club was
hastily formed and welcomed the commissioner
at the boat landing. party Of about seventy
five Hawaiian women from the women's
Branch OF the Hawaiian Patriotic League, bear
ing the American and Hawaiian flags also pro-
ceeded to the dock
The news that only one person had been sent
in that capacity to the islands soon spread to
the shore and occasioned much surprise.
Commissioner Blount declined to be inter-
viewed. but from casual observation it would
seem that his labors may cover q period of
several weeks. The Rush will probably return
to San Francisco in the meantime. Commits
sioner BIount did not leave the steamer for
several hours and consequently a reception by
the Hawaiian League and the Annexation Club
did not take place. The Rush brought dis
patches from Washington to Admiral Skerrett
and also the provisional governments, but the
of them cOuld be learned
After the first feeling OF surprise had passed
away expressions of satisfaction at the arrival
Of the commissioner prevailed among the an
nexationists-
The provisional government is said to be in
receipt of dispatches stating that President
Cleveland is favorable to the principle of annex
alton. and that Secretary Gresham favors it and
q prompt ratification Of the treaty. The
Hawaiian Patriotic League. which seeks to con-
tinue the autonomy Of the country, is daily
more active. but its members are all disposed to
peaceful methods, because they entertain the
belief that the Washington government has
instructed the commissioner to ascer tain the
popular wish regarding annexation, and to
frame his report impsrtially IN accordance with
his findings. The league, and 1t Is stated the
queen also, are making great preparations to
receive the commissioner.
John +. Bush. ex-representative and editor Of
Kd LeeO. and Mr.. Marsden. one of the Hawaiian
commissioners to Washington, were on board
the Australia As SOON the tEfNeu
within hailing distance Of the dock Bush
mounted the rigging and called out in the
Hawaiian language: NO annexation vet. The
treaty has been tabled and a commission is
coming down to find nt what you want and
give YOU your rights-~
Cheers were given by a crowd Of natives who
lined the shore. Commissioner Marsden ap
peared hopeful Of good results from the United
States commissioners visit. The delay in the
Senate over the treaty he sscribed to the pres
sure of business consequent upon the outgoing
Of the late administration. If a new treaty was
negotiated il would be somewhat different
lines from the one presented by President Har