Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-22
PREPARED FOR RESISTANCE.
Two Thousand Armed Men at Homo
lulu Awaiting the Philadelphia Men.

Two Thousand Armed Men at Homo
From the New York Sun.
A private letter from Honolulu, written
just before the steamer Mariposa sailed on
the afternoon of December IA. says:
THE first excitement caused by the re-
ceipt Of the Gresham letter was exceeded
today when it became known that the reve-
hue cutter Corwin had arrived early in the
morning, and that the captain had taken
a bulky package Of dispatches direct to
Minister Willis house. The royalists. who
have been very down-hearted,at once pluck
ed up spirits and declared that the dispatch
of a special steamer meant nothing less
than orders for the prompt restoration Of
the queen.
This seemed a rational theory and many
annexationists feared that it would prove
true; but luckily the Corwin brought also
news that gave the provisional leaders
fresh confidence. The very day the Corwin
sailed President Cleveland's annual mes
sage was printed in the San Francisco af-
ternoon newspapers and one copy was re-
ceived here. The Star issued an extra con-
tanning the Presidents words on Hawaii,
and this was the first intimation the gov
eminent had that Mr.. Cleveland would re-
fer to Congress the question of seating the
queen should the provisional government re-
fuse to step down and out.
THE government was in executive session
AT the time, and as soon as this part OF the
message was read ultimatum was
framed in which it declined to negotiate
for the restoration of the crown and de-
clared that it would resist with military
force any attempt to overthrow the gov
eminent. This ultimatum was signed and
sealed, ready to be dispatched to Minister
Willis the moment he should proceed to
carry out his instructions in case they were
Of belligerent character.
Meanwhile the streets were thronged
with excited people eagerly awaiting a move
en- the part CT the American minister. The
dispatches had been sent aboard the Phila-
delphia for translation of the cipher but
they were returned to Mr.. Willis about
noon. As the early hours of the afternoon
wore away impotence increased. The roy
alists were full of Importance, as they as
serted that they had secret advices from
the queens headquarters that she was to
be restored that day.
president Dole felt the uncertainty keen
ly, and to provide for any emergency he is
sued orders to the Citizens League to be
ready to respond to call He declared posi-
lively that any attempt at restoration
would be met with force. and If the pro-
visional government had to go under 1t
would do SO fighting for its rights
'Lookouts were posted to give warning
OF any preparation on the Philadelphia to
land marines. Had any such attempt been
made, Honolulu would at once have been
placed under martial law. The 1000 armed
men under the government would have been
posted SO as to command all the landings.
AT 3:lo pm, when the steamer mail
closed, no word had been received from Mr..
Willis. The provisional leaders began TO
breathe a little easier, but the royalists had
lost none Of their faith in immediate restor-
alton.
THE sentiment is growing in Honolulu
That the formation of a republic is the only
way out of the present difficulty. The ma
jority of the annexationists are in favor of
government modelled on the American
plan, with free suffrage for the election to
the lower house and property and educa-
tional qualification for the upper house"