The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1893-10-19
U. s. MINISTER WILLIS.
Interviewed at His Law Office in
Louisville.

VI cepI' ~ has bns lolloNihS IepoII
of an interview with Hon. Albert
S. Willis, the United States Minister
to Hawaii:
Hawaii has lately attracted good
deal of attention from the people
Of the United States on account of
the revolution which overturned the
monarchy, followed by the efforts to
get this Government to take it under
its protecting wing by annexation,
England protested, and for while
the eyes of the world were turned
toward the small group of islands
away out in the Pacific Ocean.
The fearful appeals of Princess
kaiulani to the United States to es-
tablish her upon the throne lent an
additional interest to the situation,
and the result of it all was the dis
semination of pretty general in
formation concerning these islands.
This interest has lately been greatly
increased here, aud the islands, re-
mote as they are, will, during the
coming years, at least, have some
thing of local interest to the peo-
pie of this city, for one of her most
distinguished citizens will soon take
up his residence there as Minister
from this country. The existing
situation there now makes the post
an important one, and President
Cleveland was fully cognizant of
this fact when he appointed Hon.
Albert S. Willis as the representative
of the United States. Everywhere
the appointment has been Endorsed
as a good one.
The government there now is
provisional one, pending the settle
ment by Congress at Washington of
its future, for the attitude of the
United States in the matter will de-
termine its political destiny.
A reporter for The Times found
MIR. Willis in his law office. He is a
much-sought-for and a very busy
man these days. He has had to ar
range his large private affairs on
short notice i'll order that he may
go upon his foreign mission. When
asked about some information as to
his new post Mr.. Willis protested
that he did not know thing to
communicate.
81 do not even know when | will
be able to get away" he said. 81
had made my plans to leave on
Saturday, but Mrs. Willis was taken
sick, and now everything waits on
her recovery. In order to take the
vessel Oh which | intended to sail
from San Francisco it will be neces-
sary for us to leave here Saturday
If Mrs. Willis should become sutfi-
GENTLY we'll by that time to stand
the fatigue of a trip across the
Western Continent, we will start as
intended, otherwise the journey will
be postponed until she is able to
travel"
"Who will be in your party?"
"Mrs. Willis, myself and son and
Mr.. Ellis Mills, of Virginia, the Con-
sul-General to Hawaii. At least
understood from Washington that
he was to join me here and accom-
pany me on the trip"
The reporter then suggested that
something about the Hawaiian coun-
try would be of special interest just
now.
81 know nothing about it except
what | have read in books and
heard from persons who have been
there" said Mr.. Willis "Volumes
have been written in praise of the
climate and country. 1t is called
the Paradise of the Pacific There
spring holds perpetual reign, the
temperature varying only from IS
to rs degrees. 1t is great SAM.
tarium and is visited by many per-
sons in search of health. Mr.. G. P.
Norman, of this city, has been
there, and | have heard that he was
greatly pleased with the place"
"How does Mrs. Willis like the
prospect"
"She has an unusual amount of
adaptability and makes it agreeable
to accompany me where duty calls,
but even outside of this ! may say
she is very we'll pleased, for she has
received many very favorable re-
ports Of the place from friends who
have been charmed by the country
and benefited by the climate"
Touching the government of the
place Mr.. Willis spoke generally of
the present status, which, he says, is
provisional pending the action of
Congress on the treaty of annexa-
ton submitted under the previous
Administration. President Cleve-
land appointed Col. Blount a special
commissioner to report on the situa-
ton there, and he has prepared an
elaborate paper, which will soon be
made public In conclusion Mr..
Willis said:
Whatever may be the outcome of
pending measures, | am satisfied
that the United States will never
permit those islands to pass under
foreign control. They are too inn
portant commercially and as base
for naval operations in the Pacific
Mr.. Willis and party will spend a
few days in San Francisco before
sailing for Hawaii if circumstances
permit. 1t is about 2l00 miles be,
tween those ports, making voyage
of almost a week.
Since his appointment Mr.. Willis
has been spending his leisure time
reading up on Hawaiian affairs, and
kindly offered to lend The Times
man his books for furt her infOrma.