The record-union., 1893-02-11
Special to the REcoRD-UNIoN.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10.-This AFTER
noon's developments in the Hawaiian
matter was important. Tonight the
Commissioners from the islands are
hopeful, if not confident, that tomorrow
will see practical, if not formal, con-
clusion of their labors. This afternoon,
after office hours. Secretary Foster held a
conference with the Commissioners at
the State Department which lasted until
6 o'clock.
In the course of the proceedings the
Commissioners were informed that ar
rangements had been made for their re-
ception by President Harrison tomorrow.
probably at noon. This announcement, of
course, gave them great pleasure, as it
marked the determination of the Admin
istration to recognize them officially, and
enter upon formal negotiations regard
ing the object of their mission. In pre-
vious conferences, the whole situation
was considered orally, with only memo
randa in writing of the point to be COW
cred. Officials of the State Department
and the Commissioners prepared from
these texts agreements which may be
exchanged tomorrow.
That there is practically uniformity in
the documents is shown by the statement
OF one of the Hawaiians this evening that
he hoped to get through with the business
tomorrow. The probabilities upon this
latter point, however, are too sanguine,
for it is not considered likely that any
determination will be reached by this
Government until representatives of the
deposed Queen shall have presented their
side of the case. This, OF course, cannot
be done until the latter part of next week.
The published interview with Paul
Neuman, the Queens Commissioner to
the United States, gives the representa-
tives of the Provisional Government
much satisfaction. SIT disposes of the
sentimental side of the questions" said
one of them this evening, "of which the
opponents to annexation made so much
According to Neuman, he bears an agree
ment, prepared in triplicate in which the
| Queen proposes to sell the islands to the
United States. We propose to give them
this country, but the end aimed at is the
same, and the natives will be exactly in
the same position whichever proposition
is accepted. The published statement
tallies precisely with what Neuman told
me half an hour before we sailed"
Mr.. Castle, one of the Commissioners,
speaking of the annexation of the Gilbert
Islands by England, and the moral in
volved, said: "Great Britain made no
attempt to get possession of the Gilbert
Islands until after publication was made
that the United States declined to annex
the territory or establish protectorate
over it. She is now waiting for the United
States to act on the application of the
Hawaiian Government, and if nothing is
done here, / have no doubt Great Britain
will take some steps to get control of the
islands. And did you ever think when
it was that Great Britain, Germany and
Spain entered upon the campaign of seiz-
ing every available island in the Pacific?
| Look back over the history of their re-
cent actions in this direction. and you
will see they begun with the building of
a new navy by the United States. Now
that her navy is approaching a condition
of effectiveness, as compared with those
of European powers, our group is the
only important one LETT
THE CABINET DISCUSSES THE MATTER.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10.-With regard
to the story published this morning to the
effect that Queen Liliuokalani was willing
to abdicate and withdraw all claims upon
payment of an indemnity by the United
States, it may be said that while this Gov
eminent. in the event of its assuming
charge of the islands, may provide for
her and the young Princess by an annu-
| I
vision made for indemnifying her for any
crown property OF which she may be dis
possessed by annexation.
All the members of the Cabinet were
present at the meeting to-day, which
lasted nearly an hour. The principal
topic discussed was the action of Minister
Stevens in establishing a protectorate
over the Hawaiian Islands. 1t is not be-
lieved that any definite action will be
taken approving or disappearing Minis
ter Stevens action until the day before
the departure of the next steamer for
the islands, on the 18th inst. Secretary of
State Foster intimated that the Govern
ment had plenty of time to act in a de-
liberate manner, and while the approval
or disapproval of Stevens action is neces-
sary, yet in view of the impossibility of
reaching him other than by mail commu-
uication, immediate action in the prem
ises is not deemed necessary.
AN OMNIBUS SITUATION.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 10. = Minister
Stevens action in establishing protect
crate over the Hawaiian Islands is con-
strued by naval officers as significant of
the state of affairs not being entirely pa
cific. There is pretty general opinion
that the circumstances were at least
ominous, if not threatening, which led
him to pursue the course he did and hoist
the American flag over the Government
building. Just what causes operated to
bring about this action can as yet be only
a matter of conjecture. 1t is probable
that Minister Stevens explained his rea-
sons to the Secretary OF State in the adj
vices, which reached here yesterday, but
the officials of the State Department
maintain discreet silence regarding
that, as well as other matters pertaining
to the situation.
Among naval officers it is believed that
one of two things, or possibly both, is re-
sponsible for the present state of affairs.
They say that it is very likely that Mr..
Stevens had the best of reasons to APP
prehend that upon the arrival of British