The morning call., 1893-11-18
WHAT MR.. WILLIS LEARNED,
The Provisional Government
Has Men and Arms.
LILIUOKALANI NOT YET A QUEEN
IL the Minister Has Not Resorted to
Force the Hawaiian Republic
Still Lives.

WASHINGTON, Nov. 1.-THE contents
Of the cipher dispatch from Willis, at
Hawaii, to Gresham are new known. The
dispatch Informed the department that the
Provisional Government is prepared to re-
slst an attempt to overthrow ii. Willis
discovered upon his arrival that the Pro-
visional Government if it had not antici-
pated the ultimatum of Cleveland was at
least prepared for it. A cargo Of arms
and ammunition had just arrived for the
Provisional Government and was in its
possession. The cargo comprised 100 stacks
of improved rifles, four Gating machine
guns and two Maxim rapid-fre guns, with
bountiful supply OF ammunition. 1t is
said Willis dispatch also contained a state
ment that the Provisional Government has
gradually accumulated munitions of war
till it has on hand 1900 rifles, two Gatling
guns and four Maxim guns. besides plenty
of ammunition. The available force of
police officers and guards On hourly duty
in Honolulu numbers go, while there is n
reserve militia of 500, which can be called
together in thirty minutes notice, and
there are further reserves which swell the
total of enrolled men under ihe PrOvi-
sional Government to 100. Ii is supposed
500 more could be had from other islands.
Until the receipt Of this dispatch all the
administration officials were sanguiue and
publicly expressed the firm conviction that
the Provisional Government would quietly
submit 10 an edict of this Government.
The collection of arms puts a different
phase on the matter. 1t shows beyond
question that the Dole party intends to
maintain its position, if possible. 1t also
leaves Minister Willis in rather an en-
6arrassing position. for 1t now tran spires
that his instructions did not admit of his
going to the limit of using the marines for
accomplishing the Queens transfer to the
throne without first informing the State
Department OF such a necessity.
His dispatch, therefore, plainly indicates
hat he considers a resort to arms neces-
sary. That the Minister will get such in
structions there can hardly be any reason
10 doubt in view Of the positive position
taken by the President.
Secretary Herbert said to THE CALL
correspondent tonight that the Mohcan
and Ranger would not be sent to Homo
lulu as reported. Herbert intimated that
dispatches had been received from Homo
lulu since the steamship China's arrival.
though how they came and what they con-
tanned he would not state. He did say,
however, that he was satisfied with the
condition of affairs.
TERRE HAUTE. Ind, Nov. 17.-Com-
mentipg on the report that Minister Willis
had been placed in supreme command of
the naval forces at Hawaii and that the
regular officers of the navy had been COM
manded TO obey such orders as he may
issue, exSecretary of the Navy Thompson
said tonight: "By what authority the
President issues such an order it is hard
to understand. The President is COM
mander-in-chief of the army and navy, and
during a state of war may place at the
head of either whomsoever he pleases, but
if there is cot war his nomination must be
confirmed before it can take effect. In
time of peace the regular officers of the
navy are in command and cannot be SUPER
seded even by orders of the President. If
the runners referred to are true, the Presi-
dent has obviously regarded himself as
above both the constitution and the law,
and In so doing he is assuming authority
which the Queen of England would not
dare exercise"