Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1893-12-14
LATER FROM HAWAII
The Situation Still at an Intense
Strain.
MINISTER WILLIS TALKS CUARDEDLY
The Provisional Government Determined
to Resist RestoratIon-The sugar
Trust Interested In

SAN FRANCISCO, Dec. 9.-The schoon-
err Transit has arrived from Hawaii
During the afternoon the Alameda
sailed Minister Willis made statement,
virtually as already published, that
nothing definite would be done there
until he had received Il reply TO dis
patches sent to Washington by the Al
ameda. This statement was published
in the Honolulu Star Recently the
Bulletin published letter from Min
lister Willis, in which he said he
wished his remarks in the Star to
apply TO the entire press of Honolulu.
The stand taken by Minister Willis in
his interview with the Star which was
revised in proof 10y him before publica-
ton. caused considerable comment and
caused anxiety in government circles,
indicating that any breach Of the peace
would he punished by the American
minister. His words were:
Amy trouble precipitated on the
other side would have been stopped at
once by the United States forces"
On the morning Of the nth the day
after the Alameda left, President Dole
called upon Minister Willis to learn
how far the authority of the United
States was expected TO be carried in
case OF an emergency. Upon his return
II was learned that the provisional gov
ernment was fully satisfied with the
explanation and limitations made by
Minister Willis II is the general opin-
ION that the original language used by
the United States minister conveyed
more than he intended II should II Is
understood that President Dole very
clearly informed Minister Willis
that the provisional government
commanded the situation and would
require no aid from the United States
unless II was called for. The president
assured the minister that any breach
OF the peace which might occur would
be speedily dealt with by the Hawaiian
government. The provisional govern
ment received assurances on the points
mentioned which were perfectly salts
factory. II is understood that Minis
ter Willis said he would stand back OF
the present government until the pres
cnt difficulty was settled.
The tension in political matters since
the departure of the Alameda has only
partially relaxed. Minister Willis stat
ed he made the public statement that
nothing immediate would be done" to
ease matters down, as he believed n
statement would do. His remedy
worked for a few hours, but IL now ap-
pears he has divulged just enough to
stimulate speculation, and both sides
tnf nF III /.
which in the end will doubtless add
fuel to the political fire. When the at
tention Of the United States minister
was called To the fact that the provis-
iOnal government would aid him in
keeping the peace, he replied that he
did not expect trouble unless il came
from irresponsible persons on either
side
An interview with members of the
provisional government developed de-
termination to stand on the defensive,
and take nothing in trust until the
United States government is heard
from, either directly or through Minis
ter Willis In the meantime troops
will he kept fully armed and reserve
guard ready at n minutes notice Many
Americans assert that no restoration
shall take place The provisional
government expresses the opin-
ion that the use of force on the
part Of the United States would
bc equivalent to declaration of
war Resident Americans have at least
l.5OO rifles and ammunition in private
hands which il would b. impossible
To seize in ease of restoration Those
best postc say that the throne would
not stand an hour after the withdrawal
of American troops The theory OF
restoration, however, will not be be-
licved in until the last moment
Should II then prove true, serious
trouble will likely follow. This much
is admitted by the clearcst heads on
9th sides. '''
Later--From n source almost in touch
with the American legation It is
learned that the contingency which
has caused delay in Hawaiian affairs
until Washington is heard from, is the
fact that the provisional government
and resident Americans would openly
resist either compromise or restoration.
In conversation with the press re-
porter Minister Willis said he was con-
tident that legislation favorable to the
Hawaiian Islands would shortly take
place in the United States lie thought
that the duty ON sugar would be placed
at cent per pound and that the bounty
would lie repealed. This would make
n net difference of about SIS a ton to
Hawaiian planters under their present
contracts, which allow the sugar trust
u heavy rebate