The morning call., 1893-12-13

HONOLULU. Dec. 5.-Matters are in
serious shape here. If any attempt is made
10 replace Liliuokalani there will be some
fighting. No attempt is anticipated or
feared from the royalists, but only from
Minister Willis. 1t is believed that he has
: orders TO restore the ex-Queen, but is
afraid for two reasons: FIRST, because it
would result in bloodshed. ana second,
): because the United States marines would
get the worst Of any actual hostilities
The Provisional Government can put 1000
fully armed and drilled men in the ex-
palace at fifteen minutes notice. and
ag ainst them the war vessels could only
*pnt on shore say 400 marines at the most
Leaving outside the question of whether
Admiral Irwin would execute Minister
d: Willis orders to use force there is also the
:.euestion of whether the marines would
obey such orders. This is doubtful, when
=the shooting down of American citizens
would be the result.
. AT any rate the Provisional Government
has the better of the situation. It has
+. more than double the force of the ma
ripes, and would fight from behind breast
works. The Government does not want
! any fighting By any means. but will pro-
tect itusgT at any and every cost in the
( event of hostilities on behalf Of the United
States. The royalIsts would. of course,
Jump at such chance and make trouble
in the city. but although 1000 men will be
In the palace there will be enough left out
3 side to attend to the royalists.
Should Willis make any demand or use
any threats, or. above all, should he land
any marines trouble would be sure to en-
sue. The annexationists' blood is up now,
and up TO stay until this trouble is ended,
and in the present excitement a single shot
or false move might precipitate big fight
The Government, of course, intends to re-
sfst only to such lengths as will make out
q clear case against the y nted States, but
it is doubtful if 1t can restrain its men.
The presence of armed marines on shore
now would be like Haunting red flag in
the face of mad bull.
The Provisional Government is stronger
to-day than ever. Gresham's letter has
simply cemented the parts which were
disunited. The Damon matter is side
issue and cuts little figure in the matter
until the issue with the United States is
determined. Some effort will probably be
made to induce Willis to say something;
bft IL will be by private citizens, as the
Government Is on its dignity with the
Minister just at present. However, If he
does not act in a day or two it may be
taken for granted that he will not until
the Alameda reaches here on the 21st.
;; The Provisional Government will prob
!: ably ask in due time for the appointment
of a proper commission to hold public
sessions and give us chance to show
the true state Of affairs here, such
commission TO include Senator, Repre-
sentative and Justice of the Supreme Court
a :banker or merchant. and representatives
of the army and navy. If Congress does
not accept the annexation proposition
steps will then be taken to declare an
Independent republic and adopt cousti-
tuition under the joint protection OF the
United States. England and Franco.
:: There seems to be little doubt that the
British Minister here is intriguing with
the royalists for restoration. The men
on the Champion were under arms all
night last Wednesday, but it cannot be
learned what for.