Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-08-17
THE HAWAIIAN SITUATION.
Mr.. Blount Returns in Response to Sum-
nous From the State Department.
What He II Quoted as Saying In Re-
gard to the Condition of Things
Upon the Island,

1t Is learned today that Minister Blount's
return to this country is in response to a
summons from the State Department His
presence In Washington is required for an
intelligent consideration Of the proposed
treaty between the provisional government
OF Hawaii and the United States regarding
the future relations Of the two countries,
negotiations for which were temporarily
interrupted by the change of administra-
ton. Mr.. Blount rendered his resignation
as minister some time ago, but its accept
ance Is suspended pending the settlement
OF the negotiations now in progress. Mr..
biounts return at this time, is also due to
the fact that he has completed the special
object OF his mission to Hawaii and be-
cause ne has private interests here that
cannot longer be neglected with safety.
NO diplomatic Representative at
Honolulu.
One result Of Minister Blount's visit to
the United States is that Honolulu is for
the first time in years without a diplomatic
representative from the United States Con-
sui General Severance and Admiral Sker-
rett are there. but Mr.. Blount has dis
tinctly stated that neither has diplomatic
authority. He has, however, turned over
the archives of the government, with other
property, to the consul general, and that
official will undoubtedly act as an inter-
mediary In the event that II becomes neces-
sary to communicate directly with the pro-
Vlsional government during Mr.. Blount's
absence from his post.
The Attitude of Japan.
Despite Mr.. Blount's denial that any
change in the situation in Hawaii caused
his return. private advices from Honolulu say
the provisional leaders, as well as Minister
Blount, are much worried over the attitude
taken by Japan in regard to her citizens In
Hawaii. A formal demand has been made
1xyT
same right Of suffrage as to Europeans
The provisional government will refuse to
Yield to this. but 1t has not power to resist
sist on com Compliance. i s conseauentiy % 'G It us Is
understood that Mr.. Blount will endeavor
to impress upon President Cleveland the
to Hawaii before Japan takes action For
the first time Mr.. Blount and the provi-
sart s1ma 10 Leaders Ser are acting together in the
What Mr.. BlOunt Says.
Special dispatches from San Francisco
quote Mr.. Blount as saying:
Il am glad to escape from the isolation Of
the Island. Everything is quiet. There will
be no further trouble. Those Of the royal
lists who might feel disposed to make trou-
bic recognize that the whole matter Is In
the hands of the United States; that If this
Will be accomplished
From many questions which Mr. Blount
refused 10 answer or evaded 1t is Inferred
that he has made no recommendation in
his report. Much of it is devoted to careful
summaries of the land situation, wages and
coolie labor. Mr.. Blount declared emphat-
icaLy that under our constitution we
cOuldn annex a country which had prac-
tically deprived the natives of all their land.
Not over 10000 acres on the whole island
We're ever the property Of the people and
much of this had been sold to foreigners
The result was that outside the crown lands
practically all the good agricultural land was
owned by foreigners. The whole spirit Of
the land laws was opposed TO our methods
as 1t left the Kanakas a landless people.
No Danger of Disturbance.
MI Blount Is credited with having made
the following statement prior to his depar-
ture from Honolulu:
There is no danger Of any disturbance
from annexationists. and in conversation
with leading royalists 1 have learned that
they will make no further opposition to
the provisional government until after the
decision of the United States Is announced
on the proposition for annexation. 1 am
anxious to get home. and am confident the
provisional government Is capable Of pre-
serving the peace and quiet of the country -
The impression he left in Honolulu was
that he considered the provisional govern
less the United States should see fit to
change its policy hereafter, When ap-
preached about the contents of his report
he replied that he intended leaving Hawaii
without expressing an opinion on either
side Of the question at issue but the en-
tire tenor Of his conversation went to show
that his reserved opinion was that the
government Of the United States should
uphold the present island government In
the interests of Americans and America.
This is what has led prominent annexa-
tionists to declare that Minister Blount
favors the establishment Of a protectorate
over Hawaii, and that his report to the
State Department Is predicated on the idea
that a treaty of that sort is the best solu-
ton of the Hawaiian problem.
The Administration Policy.
The policy of the administration on this
question will not be finally determined un-
til after MIR. Blount's arrival In Washing
ton and the President and the Secretary
of State have consulted with him in re-
gard to the present condition of affairs on
the islands. Mr.. Blount may go on to Buzz
Yards Bay to see the President but this is
not likely, as his business can be transact
ed just as well with Secretary Gresham at
Washington.
According to the present outlook it will
be several weeks yet before this question
will be in shape for submission to Con-
gress and If that body shall dispose Of its
financial legislation within the next month
(of which there is not much prospecD the
chances are strong that the settlement Of
the Hawaiian question, so far as this coun-
try is concerned, will be deferred until the
regular session of Congress in December.