The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-11-20
THE HAWAIIAN PUZZLE
Provisional Government Still in
Control at Honolulu.
NO EFFORT TO RESTORE THE QUEEN

Force should be Used--Meantime Wills
Real Instructions Are stiii nm Enigma.
SANFHANcIsco. Nov Administer Willis
had not exploded the Hawaiian bombshell
up to noon Of Saturday, Nov. IL. Indeed,
che people of the islands did not know
positively that there was such an engine
among them. :-'.'
The steamer Australia arrived In this
port from Honolulu Saturday with advices
only seven days old, which said that Min
lister Willis had presented his credentials,
couched in formal and non-committal
terms of diplomacy, before she left, and
had handed over the customary notes from
President Cleveland. President Dole had
responded In the same style Of set phrases,
and there had been no public intimation
of the trouble.
All the same, Hawaii was troubled, for
the very air was heavy with rumors and
suspicious. The people would not know
the truth until the next steamer arrived
from the United States unless Mr.. Willis
decided to unbosom himself. 1t was
pretty certain the provisional government
knew, but it was not going to give the
signal for action by the royalists.
Most sensational of the many rumors
hving about the island capital was one
that Minister, Willis would soon begin
his work of unsaddling the provisional
government. No date was set, but 1t was
said in some quarters that the Monday
following the Australias departure
would witness the opening scenes Of the
new chapter Of Hawaiian history.
WASHINGTON, Nov. 20.-The state de-
psrtment is less disposed now than ever
TO take the public into Its confidence on
the Hawaiian question. In considering
the news by the Australia 1t should be
understood that much that has been pub
hshed during the past two weeks has
been pure conjecture and surmise. The
fact is that those In the confidence Of the
administration have felt and expressed
the utmost assurance that the Australia
would bring news that ex-Queen Lili-
u0kalani had been restored to the throne.
1t is possible that Minister Willis has
become convinced to his entire satisfac-
ton, without having laid the matter be-
fore President Dole, that the provisional
government cannot be displaced without
force and no has determined to wait for
further instructions IL seems certain ut
all events that President Dole had no sus-
picion when the Australia sailed that II
was the purpose of Minister Willis to re-
store the ex-queen. 1t is not possible that
Mr.. Thurston, Hawaiian minister hore,
could have given him warning, for Sec
retary Gresham's letter astounded and
disconnected him when it was published,
and left no opportunity for him to warn
his government.
It has been the chief fear OF the friends
Of the provisional government in this
country that in Its ignorance of public
sentiment here, and the first shock of the
threatened action by the United States, it
would yield its authority. II is true how
ever, that for some time past the provis-
tonai government has abandoned all hope
Of favorable action by the present admin
istration toward annexation, and has been
considering means to put itself on a per-
manent footing.
1t may be that the public and the press
- G to wrong conclusion as to
of MinisteSs Willis instructions.
Nave supposed that Secretary OF
StEcS resham's letter declaring what he
tkought ought to he done, and President
tlsvslands declaration that he agreed
With the secretary's opinion, meant that
shsy had determined to proceed with what
they declared ought to be done, Some
people believe that the publication must
have been intended as an appeal to public
opinion for information as to the course
tween this opinion and the one that Min
ister Willis has found IT imprnatlcable te
carry out instructions Co restore the queet
without using means he was not prepared
to employ.
By the regular steamers the first newi
of Secretary Gresham letter would reaot
Honolulu by the steamer which left Van
soayer on Thursday or khc one which left
Ban Francisco on Friday. But on the l2ti
inst. chartered steamer left San Fran
cisco for Honolulu having on board news
paper men and doubtless some communi
cation from Minister Thurston to his gov
ernment This chartered steamer shoulC
arrive at Honolulu today or tomorrow
This would be after the next steamer t,
arrive at San Francisco had left for Homo
lulu. 1t is considered that the chances o
action by Minister Willis to restore tn
queen will ba much lassensd after the new
Of the reception accorded Secretar,
Greshamss letter in this country is reat
in the island
A prominent Democrats ssAaesg,
member of the foreign relations commit
tee, who declined TO permit the use of hi
name said this morning: at seems verl
clear to mo that Mr.. Willis has encoun
tered state OF affairs which he has no
been led to expect and which his instruc
tions did not cover l have private Rd
vices of the best character that Presiden
Dole has well equipped force Of 400 o
300 men who will stand by the presen
government to the utmost limit Now
think the inference is justified, that whei
Minister Willis found this well equlppe
and determined force and whom he dlsooy
cred That the feeling Of the intelligen
people of the island was favorable to tn
, Algasent government he weakened In hi
deAA minatiou to reseat the queen upol
her throne. To have persisted in landing
the marines for the purpose of forcing
change of government would have beef
an act Of war pure and simple, and n
man can believe that President Clevelau,
ever contemplated such move as that."
Penie in n wellsbars Hall.