New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-03-17
A TALK WITH MINISTER STEVENS.
HE DEFENDS HIS COURSE AND DISCUSSES
VARIOUS PROBLEMS ARISING UNDER TIE
TREATY-ruE CROWN LANDS.

HE DEFENDS HIS COURSE AND DISCUSSES
VARIOUS PROBLEMS ARISING UNDER TIE
TREATY-rHE CROWN LANDS.
Honolulu. March 9.-In discussing the news brought
by the Belgc. Of the delay AT Washington in acting
The Hawaiian annexation question: Minister stevens
said he thought tho situation had undergone no change
while have been accused OF precipating n revou-
ton CONTINUED the Minister, the fact remains, and
will be vouched for BY here that did not desire
the responsibilities that would devolre upon me In
the OF a change In the Government Of Hawaii.
and when the Jones Ministry was appointed and
went with the Boston to lilo, relieved, for
thought the Government safe and In good hands.
We returned. however TO find the best Ministry In
respects that the islands Lave had oustcd from
ofice and different set In their places The revo-
luton followed, and ] can say that In taking the
course which did wns simply following the policy
specifically laid down under Secretary Bayard for
Just such contingency, and which. as history shows,
has been the logical policy Of the United states.
There was a time when it thought by rep
rescniaves In Congress that a coallng station and
naval rendezvous at Pearl Iinrbor would amply mani.
fes, our authority here Int that view would not
have been generally sustained In the face Of the
revolution
Minister stevens thought that tho treaty. pub
lishcd. was a carefully drawn and satisfactory docu-
meni. and II might be that the senate would deem
II wise soon to ratify 1t. Did not England" he
"a
cally forced thereto hy the cry OF the Australian
colonies that they being betrayed by her In
action here any great delay. II such likely.
m-ht impair orr relations with England. Canada.
which Is sraiing after every point TO maintain It's
commercial supremacy, is urging the English Govern
mcnt to action. aud 1t may Lead TO protest from
the Gladstone Ministry. which would not be de-
sirabc. \ popular vote the question OF an
ncxation taken here would bc useless for with the
of "A
persons OF prominence there Is no strong feeling
against annexation. am In communication with
prominent OF the other Islands. and they assure
there f.. II anything. sentiment In favor OF 1t
among the better class Of the natives
Asked to the significance OF the clause OF the
treaty relating To the special laws for tho disposal
Of tie public lands, which clause Is disappointing In
IT, terms to certain Of the Provisional Government
Mr. said any disappointment thereby must arise
from a misunderstanding OF the matter. The Idea
conveyed by the clause In question is the same as
that witch In the United states L.. to opposition e.
the granting OF arid lands which may yet turn ont 10
Do u. most important part OF our public domain.
Regarding the labor question. which IS one Of the
most important problems which will require solution
under annexation Minister stevens said there no
provision In tho treaty for getting rid Of Chinese and
Japanese ab)rcrs now here. nor for prohibition OF
future japanese immigration. The better class OF
labo. both japanese and Portuguese be obtained
,yithout reSOrting TO tn contract system, the en-
poycr dealing directly with the employed. This Is
the view taken also by Minister Jones. OF the Finance
Department Mr.. Baldwin, the largest employer OF
labor In ths Islands, who has about 900 men at
Maui IS not opposed 10 annexation while Mr.. Spauld
Ing an extensive planter Of kaiu, + favoring II.
Minister stevens said he had long ago made up his
mind that he would rclInquish his post Ia May, If
not earlier.
President Dole said be thought the Crown lands were
NOW vested in the Government, and should be secured
To IL by the United states for the benefit OF the
Hawaiian pcoplc Attorney General W. o. Smith says
that under the great division Of lands in 1915 certain
lands were set apart for the use OF tue sovereign
The King immediately began 10 treat them rs his
uriyatc property, and when attention was called TO
This the LEGISLATURE in 1855 passed an act defining
ts title which WAS To income only and transferred
The LANDS to Il commission. Ever since that time
tho Government has exercised control over the lands
and the Legislature has passed various acts relative
tn their disposton. The courts hav" also, 10y scV-
rol decisions. drawn distinction between these lhndS
md thc uriNatr lands the hamchamclnS ald th'ir
heir Various soycrrgns have been entitled To me
income of these lands: but, now that III" Hawaiian
sovcr,gns have ceased To exist. the frOVlsonai roV
crnmcnt claims title TO the whole.