The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-12-18
THE IMPENDING CRISIS.
Two DAYS or RUMoR AND EX
CITEMENT.
The United States Minister Promise,
to Speak within Forty-eight Hours
A New Constitution.

circulation by Royalist politicians yester.
day and part of to-day have been periods
of excitement that will long be recalled
in Honolulu. One of these rumors
was to the effect that American marines
would land early this morning and that
the ex-Queen would surely be restored
at half-past nine another was that the
British troops would land early and
guard the British legation and the late
sovereign another was that the British
and japanese would land independently
of the Americans and attempt the re-
storation another that Mrs. Dominis
wa ON the Philadelphia and later that
she was on the Corwin for protection in
the meantime. All these and more of
the same kind combined in making the
day one of unpleasant suspense to every
one.
At an early hour this morning the
natives commenced to flock into the
city from the valleys, and from thence
to the water front, where they congre-
gated in crowds on Brewers wharf, the
boat landing and adjacent streets and
wharves, all eyes being turned on the
war vessels. To the question asked sew
eral of them by the reporter as to the
occasion of the excitement, there was
but one answer: "The Queen is going
to be put back at half-past nine" Upon
being asked the source of their infor-
nation the answer was, 1--WE have
been told so." The Nuuanu-street leis
women were early on hand with extra
supplies of wreaths and flowers
for tho restoration which they
had been told to prepare for.
One of them even went so far as
to bet ten dollars in hard cash with
hackman that restoration would take
place before ten O'Clock.
To fur Their complicate matters some
twenty-five native members of the police
force declared for restoration this morn
ing, saying that they preferred to
work for the Queen" than for the Pro-
visional Government. The loyalty of a
large portion of the native police to the
present Government has often been
questioned, but now it is proven by their
own acts. The list of the faithless
police will be found elsewhere.
At 9:25 the people on the wharves had
their expectations aroused to q high
pitch by bugle call from one of the
ships, and the natives expected to see
the boats lowered Immediately, but they
were deceived the call was simply to
loosen sails on the Champion and spread
them out to dry. AS the hour set for
restoration passed and no sign was made
from the war vessels, the Kanakas COM
menced to wonder if they had not
been fooled again, About this time
Captains Barker and Nelson of
the Philadelphia and Adams came
ashore and were driven to the
American Legation, from whence
shortly afterwards, accompanied by
Mrs Willis. the United States Ministers
wife. and Mrs. II. A. p. Carter, they
left for picnic at the Pail. OF
course the crowd at the wharf did not
know this and were on the tiptoe of ex-
pectation.
Shortly afterwards Captain Rookie Of
the Champion came to the dock in his
gig, and Immediately on landing asked
the nearest boatman:
"What are all these kanakas congre-
gated here forT
"They are waiting for your men to
come ashore and assist in the Queens
restoration" was the reply.
The captain laughed and said, "Well,
none of my men will assist at any res
toration to-day"
About 10 o'clock the natives began to
realize that they had been sold again and
commenced to leave in two and threes
and in another hour the wharves in the
vicinity of the boat landing assumed
tIltlI
Many of the natives who had wasted
the morning in gazing at the warships
had deserted their work for the day, SC
sure were they of restoration and a con-
sequent Notification. and these put in
the day gazing at four or five officers
belonging to the mounted po-
lice who had been kept or
duty during the day or until new mer
could be found to supply the place OF
those who deserted. The appearance OF
Captain Klemme and three or four OF
these mounted police gave rise to the
rumor that the Police Station had been
garrisoned by force of fifty men armed
with rifles. There is not a single ad
ditional man in the Police Station to-day
other than those spoken of.
During the morning Consul 81. f
Glade called on the United States Min
lister and asked if it was not possible 70
him to make some announcement which
would allay the present excitement.
The Minister replied that he was work
ing night and day to try and effect ,
solution of the difficulty which woult
be satisfactory to all parties. Beyon'
that he could say nothing.
Mr.. Glade then called the Minister.
attention to the public excitement, tn
distractions to business and consequen
lOSS W ileTCldntS anu SlOTt-htepeIS an
the unnecessary worry caused by his in
action, and asked if it were not poss
BILE to fix some definite date when peopl
might expect to hear from him.
To that Minister Willis said that h
hoped to effect the solution of the mat
ter within forty-eight hours and that h
would then be heard from. That a
present he could say nothing furthe
than that there was no necessity what
ever for the present excitement.
The interview then ended.
The question naturally arises fror
reading the above : with whom is tn
Minister negotiating for solution
the difficulty Z" 1t is certainly not wit
the Provisional Government, for it hs
not yet received any official commun
cation from the American Ministe
other than the presentation of h
credentials.
The rumor in regard to the landing {
British forces probably emanated froI
the simple fact that one solitary III
armed relocated specimen of the Bri
ish marine corps is on duty about I'll
British Legation.
Captain Barker of the PHILADELPHIA
and Captain Nelson of the Adams wei
away all morning from their ships c
the Pail picnic. When they drove
tHe DodJ ldHuiHS at ClOCh Sdptdi
Barker asked what was meant by Il
crowd of natives on Brewers wharf.
They're waiting for the fight to con
mence," answered Pilot Shepherd.
'Well, well, its good thing we g
back or we would have missed it
laughingly answered Captain Barker.
YES" added Captain Nelson, "bl
I'm afraid they will have to wait lor
time"
Late this afternoon rumor, tn
seemed authentic, went about to Il
effect that Minister Willis was at wol
with the ex' Queen upon the text of
new Constitution and that there we
points of dispute about it yet to
IAI xfa. Nn lC Mtnto 30,