The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1893-04-15
Mr.. Stevens to Mr.. Foster.

Mr.. Stevens to Mr.. Foster.
United States Legation,
Honolulu, Feb. 8, 1892.
SIR:-The semi-annual election
of members { f the Hawaiian Leg.
gislature took place February 8,
after several weeks of exciting can
vass. The principal issue on the
part Of the business man and more
conservative and responsible citi-
zens was in respect of treaty rela-
tons with the United States
These supporters of tn. proposed
new treaty which they believe has
been negotiated at Washington
had the approval of the principal
Government officials, though the
cabinet is far from being vigorous
and inhuentcials. The opposition,
or Liberals, as they term them
SELVES, composed mostly of the
Irresponsible white voters, half
castles, and of large majority of
the native Hawailans, pushed
their canvass on three lines--a
new constitution, opposition to the
present cabinet, and hostility to
The proposed treaty, Though it
finally hedged and disclaimed
more OF less in regard to the last.
These so called Liberals were led
by Wilcox, the half-caste who was
at the head of the revolutionary
outbreak IN July, 1887, and by c..
w. Ashford the Canadian member
of the cabinet who betrayed and
deserted his associates when Min
lister Carter was tryingto negotiate a
new treaty in 1889. This Ashford
has some ability, any amount of
audacity, and is utterly without
scruples. and has done his utmost
to influence the prejudices and
passions of the native l1awaiians.
Both he and Wilcox secured their
election as representatives from
this island. The legislature is
composed of forty-eight members,
one-half being mobiles elected by
property holding or income voters.
The Conservatives and friends of
the treaty have secured most all of
the mobiles and enough of the rep
resentatives to give them deci-
sive majority, sufficient it is
thought. to secure the approval OF
the treaty, even with the Pearl
Harbor grant in perpetuity. Not
improbably there may be change
of cabinet when the Legislature
assemblies in May.
There are increasing indications
that the annexation sentiment is
growing among the business mer
as we'll as with the less responsible
of the foreign and native popula
ton of the islands. The present
political situation is feverish anc
| see no prospect of its being per
manently otherwise until these
islands become part of the Ane
rican Union or a possession o
Great Britain. The intelligent ont
responsible men here, unaided b!
. outside support are too fen IN mann
bers to control IN political affair
and to secure good government
There are indications that ever
the Liberals just beaten at tn
election. though composed of
majority of the popular vote ar
about to declare for annexation, a
, least their leaders. their chief news
paper having already publishes
e editorials to this effect. At
future time. after the propose'
l. treaty shall have been ratified,
ii shall deem it my official duty
gire more elaborate statement G
facts and reasons auhy n ''new de
pnrture" by the United States as
If Haacaii is rapidly becoming a M
cesSity, that "protectorate" is i'm
practicable and that annexatio
must be the future remedy or els
Great Britain will be furnishe
with circumstance and opportr
Us nifty to get a hold on these island
which will cause future seriou
), embarrassment to the Unite
. States. At this time there seen
- to be no immediate prospect of il
being safe to have the harbor (
=, Honolulu left without an Amerit
n y an vessel of war. Last week
e British gunboat arrived here, al
.s it is said will remain here for a
y indefinite period,
e. | am sir, etc.
JOHN l.. STEVENS.