The record-union., 1893-11-24
Special to the REcoRp-Uxrox.

[Copyright, 1898, by the Associated Press
HONOLULU (H. l. Nov. 16.-The main
change in the political situation since the
Australia sailed has been one of increased
strain and greater business depression.
Since his formal call to present his Gre
dentials Minister Willis has not commu-
nicated officially with the Government.
The most significant happening which
has taken place occurred last Monday,
when a committee of the American
League, lately organized auxiliary of
the Annexation Club, called on the new
Ministry.
After welcoming Mr.. Willis the COM
mittee stated: "The members OF the
league earnestly desire that the Hawaiian
Islands should become a part of the
United States, and with that object in
view the organization will support the
present Provisional Government of
Hawaii, and in all honorable ways aid in
accomplishing annexation" The address
also contained an offer of aid if, at any
time, the Minister saw tit to command
them.
Minister Willis answer has not yet
leaked out here, as the committee is
pledg ed to secrecy, but the Associated
Press is enabled, after diligent inquiry
and careful comparison of the versions of
the Minister'S remarks as remem bered
by three members of the committee, to
give the following nearly, if not quite,
verbatim report Of the reply:
After welcoming the committee and
speaking in pleasant terms of his visit to
Hawaii, Minister Willis said: Il am an
ardent American. I would like to see
the stars and stripes waving not only
over Hawaii, but over all the islands of
the Pacific or any other territory which
would be beneficial to the United States.
/ have my instructions which l cannot
divulge-you will understand this; but
this much l can say, that the policy of
the United States is already formulated
regarding these islands and that nothing
which can be said or done, either here or
there, can avail anything now. l do not
come here as did Mr.. Blount; [ come as
an executive officer-I come to act. When
the proper time arrives l shall act. l
am sorry l cannot tell you when or how.
/ wish you to understand, however, that,
knowing the policy of the United States,
l could not have accepted the position of
an executive officer had it been in con-
t1ict with the principles hold. Ameri-
cans here will have nothing to regret.
out the United States policy [ shall have
no need of aid from you or other resi-
dent Americans. However, l wish to
state positively that any outside inter-
ference will not be tolerated by the
United States"
The Provisional Government considers
Minister Willis remarks as significant
and from other information obtained it is
the general belief among Americans that
United States protectorate will be
shortly established over the Provisional
Government with the understanding that
stable form of government be organized
hereunder within limited period.
Some are of the opinion that action will
be taken between the sailing of the Ala
media to-day and the arrival of the Mono
wal on the 23d inst. This opinion has
been expressed on board the United
States steamer Philadelphia within the
last few days.
Minister Willis delay in action, coupled
with his refusal to diVule or even hint at,
officially, what the policy of the United
States is TO be, has caused the political
strain TO become very great on both
sides. AS consequence rumOrs are as
thick as bees III spring. The Govern
ment has in consequence been on the
lookout for the past few days for threat
ened attempt of the royalists to seize the
executive building under the theory that
if they could hold it an hour the United
States would support them as the exist
ing Government. Some of the leading
royalists deny that any such attempt has
been contem plated; others remain silent
when questioned.
In consequence of the strained condi-
tions of affairs an extra guard of sharp
shooters was stationed in the Executive
building last night, and will be continued
there, with the regular troops, until the
matter is settled one way or the other. AS
a further precaution the Government is
sued thirty rounds of extra ammunition
TO each member OF the Citizens Reserve
Guard between dark and II o'clock last
night.
Two Cabinet meetings were held yes
terday to consider the situation. At the
first were present, beside the Cabinet,
several members of the Advisory Coun-
ell, together with Colonel J. II. Soper of
the Military and Marshal Hitchcock of
the Police Department..
AT IL o'clock this morning President
Dole paid visit to the United States
steamship Philadelphia and was received
with national salute of twenty -one guns.
At 1880 he returned and was accorded the
usual salute.
Last Monday morning the ex-Queen
somewhat unexpectedly called upon
Minister Willis at the United States Le-
CATION. She was accompanied by her
former chamberlain. She rem mained at
the legation about twenty minutes. Min
lister Willis has not yet returned the
call. The ex-Queen's action has created
much unfavorable comment. 1t sur
priSed RoyalistS as well as Annexa-
tionists.
/ have just had an interview with Min
lister Willis. He declares the first part of
the reply he made the American League
should be qualified to ''he would like to
Ia CT x-iv ,
etc, under proper conditions" He de-
ciared he never said the result here will
be such as Americans would not regret, -
and added that nothing would be done
nor would any action be taken until he
again heard from Washington after the
Alameda left" He SAID this st 2:30. The
steamer sails at 3 P. VI.
His last words to the Associated Press
representative were that any trouble pre-
cipitated on either side would be stopped
al once by the United States forces.
When his attention was called to dis
patch saying the ex-Queen would be re-
stored he declined to express an opinion.
1t is believed here that The dispatch is a
fake.
At the last moment the Provisional
Government declares they have no fur
ther information, but are certain they
will be able 10 maintain the peace.
This afternoon the Minister of Finance
will submit a statement at the regular
session of the Councils, which will show
that the favorable condition of the finan-
ces of the Government continue The
statement will show that the cash surplus
in the treasury stands at $780, $50 73 and
that the total amount of bonds sold to
date, under the Loan Act, is SI67, 600. This
will allow the Government to carry out
all the appropriations authorized under
Section of the appropriation bill, for
which no provision had been made, and
will have a balance of 1868 SO on hand,
beside cash surplus.
The Minister Of Finance states that all