Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-09
A SURPRISE FOR ALL.
Sensational News Received From
the Sandwich Islands.
MINISTER STEVENS ACTION
Was Not the Result Of Instructions Sent
From This City-What the Annexation
Commissioners Say About the Probable
Causes That Led to 1t.

temporary possession of the Hawaiian Islands
has caused considerable excitement in official
circles. Mr.. Thurston, the head of the
Hawaiian commission, sought an interview
with the Secretary Of State as soon as he
heard of the report and Immediately on
his departure Secretary Foster proceeded
to the White House and acquainted the Presi-
dent with the latest phase Of the situation,
Much surprise is expressed at Minister Stevens
action in establishing protectorate in advance
Of specific instructions 20 that effect. but Off
cial utterances on that point are withheld I'M
til the receipt Of official dispatches, expected
this afternoon. which will undoubtedly give
full explanation Of the causes for such action.
SECRETARY FOSTER DECLINES TO TALK.
Secretary Foster, in pursuance to the policy
that he has adopted in dealing with this
whole matter, declined to discuss Minister
Stevens action, but stated that there
had been no communication sent from
the department to Mr.. Stevens for his
guidance since the note of January IS, in which
his action in connection with the establish
ment Of the provisional government was APP
proved. Mr.. Thurston, the head of the
annexation commission, was in consultation
with the Secretary at the time
the news received with reference to the
next conference between the commissioners and
noon at o'clock.
When the Hawaiian visitors were informed of
the existence of the protectorate, which was be-
fore the arrival Of the dispatch giving
the details OF its establishment, they
all agreed in the opinion that there
had been no outbreak requiring the
action of the United States minister, but
that it was due to threats of trouble. Mr..
Carter said that among some members
of the provisional government the sem
timent mad prevailed before the depart
ture of the commissioners for the
United States that protectorate should
be sought But this feeling had been
discouraged by himself and Mr.. Thurston. they
believing that the government could stand
upon its own bottom pending the nego-
tiations with this country. When the details
arrived and were communicated to them, Mr..
Thurston and his associates said that the whites
who had made the trouble to which the Homo
tutu Advertiser referred comprised what was
known as the opium gang politicians and
their associates who would be- known In this
country as ward strikers ''heelers."
THE MOST SIGNIFICANT ITEM OF NEWS.
Mr.. Kinney of Salt Lake. who accompanies
the commission in the capacity Of counsel, said
that the most significant item of news in the
dispatches from Honolulu was: There have
been indications of discussions existing among
the members of the executive council"
''This, " he said. "betrays the greatest danger
which now threatens tho government. The
members of the council men who
have been clothed with authority without
any previous experience in the exer-
else of it, and without the restraining
force of a protectorate they would inevitably
have divided into factions and worked at cross
purposes. protectorate confirming the gov
eminent in its control of affairs was absolutely
necessary. The Hawaians are the most per-
feet example of people unable to manage their
own affaira that I know ~
Mr.. Kinney said that the drowning of Miss
Stevens, daughter Of the American minister,
had probably occurred at Hawaii while she was
In bathing. Hawaii is the largest island of the
group and some distance from Honolulu.
OF the two gentlemen who were named
having arrived at San Francisco on the Aus
tralia Mr.. Kinney said that Paul Neuman
was. as has been stated. the former attor-
ney general in the cabinet of the deposed
queen and comes to this country as her
personal representative, his errand be-
ing to present to the government of
the United States her side of the controversy.
Prince David is nephew Of the queen, and
was an inferior chief prior to the bestowment
upon him by King Kalakaua Of the compli-
mentary title Of prince.
The Hawaians and the officials of the State
and Navy Departments expect advices from
their representatives later in the day.
LACK OF OFFICIAL INFORMATION.
While there is no doubt in official circles of
the authenticity of the report that Minister
Stevens has established protectorate over the
Hawaiian Islands in the name of the
OF official information on the subject
at the State and Navy Departments, in the
absence Of which the heads of those depart
ments are naturally averse to discussing the
matter in any form. Official advices
from Minister Stevens and Captain
81 h., H., ol,.l e.
since the arrival Of the Hawaiian steamer at
San Francisco, bat nothing has been heard
from either Of them up to 8 o'clock this
afternoon. This caused some surprise, as it
was expected that the dispatch agent at San
Francisco would make it his business to tel
egraph at once any important intelligence con-
tanned in the mail from Hawaii.
THE MICHIGAN NEAR HONOLULU.
The U.s.S Mohican, with Admiral skerrett
on board left San Francisco on the
29th ultimo and is now undoubtedly
near the port of Honolulu. Admiral
Skerrett has special instructions for his guild
ance in Hawaiian matters and will assume COM
mand of United States military forces soon
as he arrives
The Hawaiian commissioners are having a
conference with Secretary Foster at the State
Department this afternoon.
THE INJUNCTION OF SECRECY REMOVED.
Wnen the senate at IL o CLOCK went into
executive session it released the injunc-
ton of secrecy upon the correspondence
between the United States and the
British and French governments from 1912
to 1874 respecting the seizure of the Ha waian
Islands by Lord Paulet for the British govern
ment. The correspondence ends with the
declaration by the British and French repre-
sentatives of the independence OF Hawaii
and their guarantee never to seek possession
of the islands The news Of the estab-
lishment of the protectorate on the part Of the
American minister was read and met with al
most general approval
THE COMMISSIONERS PLEASED.
The members Of the Hawaiian commission
now in this city to secure the annexation of the
islands heard this morning of the establish
mont Of protectorate over the islands by
the American minister, but they seemed
rather pleased than otherwise at the news
The first news they received was from the
newspaper men, but later in the day they had
! kilograms from San Francisco that brought
them the information in an official form. Still
the word they had was by no means as
full as the kilograms received from the news
agency and today they were really learning
quite as much about the Hawaiian situation as
they were telling.
Mr.. Thurston, the chairman Of the annexa-
ton commission. sand to a STAR reporter that
In their estimation, the establishment Of a pro-
tectorate did not change the situation at all SO
Y I'M M hay H. - H.