The herald., 1893-12-13

Australia yesterday, the council held a
special session to hear the official dis
patches from Thurston. These strongly
advised the provisional government to
| hold the fort.
The idea is growing here that Minie-
ter Willis will refuse TO act and will
probably resign before he will carry out
Cleveland'H restoration policy. He re-
fuses to be interviewed, and at present
writing it is not known from any hint or
word he has dropped, either to the pro-
visional government or elsewhere, what
course he will pursue after the arrival of
the Alsmeda, due here December 2lst,
with Washington dispatches, in answer
to his application by that vessel for
final instructions.
BLoUNT CURSED ON ALL SIDES.
Blount's report raised a furore of in
dignation both in Annexation snd Roy
aliet camps. The Royslists denounce
both Wunderburg and Colburn, and the
Annexstionists claim the report is one
sided and gsrbled. Minister Damon
declares that the only direct questions
Blount put to him were ex parte testi-
mony and have been published, and the
entire balance of long and seemingly
friendly conversation which could throw
flood of light on the question has been
evidently suppressed. The fact has
been commented upon here strongly
that one or two letters were received
from Mrs. Blount by friends here, ask
ing them not to judge Mr.. Blount and
his adverse report too severely, ss he
was in no way to blame for his action.
BUSINESS PARALYZED.
The financial condition of the govern
ment continues to improve. The sur
plus has risen to $169,749. and the total
cash resources last Thursday were $272,-
$685. But while the governments
finances have not as yet suffered and
probably will not, as the taxes for this
period are now flowing in, great inan-
cial depression has resulted since the
news arrived of President Clevelsnd's
unfriendly attitude. Both sugar and
commercial stocks have dropped in
value and business generally is stag
mated. Investments have ceased and
there is no money to lend on any secur-
ity. Capital is being Withdrawn from
banks, and both local and foreign COM
merce will remain crippled SO long as
the present crisis and political excite
ment continues.
WILSON'S LIBEL SUITS POSTPONED.
On the request of the government the
libel suits of @. B. Wilson against W. G.
Smith, editor OF the Star, have gone
over until the February term of court
The request for continuance was based
on the declaration of the ex-queen that
che would refuse to attend court when
called for the defense. This would force
the government to bring her into court
and commit her to Jail if she refused to
testify as she further threatened. The
government therefore requested the de-
fense to allow the trial to 20 over, as
the action they would be obliged to |
take might place the ex.queen before
the world in the light OF a martvr
during the continuance of the present |
crisis.
WILLIS PASSPORTS.
Tn an interview with one of the cabi-
net last evening the fact was developed
that in case of further trouble the exec
utive council will at once carry ont the |
recommendation of the advisory council
to hand Minister Willis his passports
and declare the ex.queen prisoner of |
state.
FOR woDEHoUsE ALSO.
From a semi-officisl source it is fur
ther learned that should the British
minister make any attempt at interfer-
ence, either on behalf of the ex-queen or
England, the recommendation OF the
advisory council will be extended at
once, and Minister Wodehouse will also
be handed his passports.
While this will probably be the course
the provisional government will take,
if any emergency arises, it cannot at the
present writing be officially verified, as
the cabinet refuses to answer further
than that determination has been ar
rived at concerning Minister Willis.
Vice United States Consul William P.
Boyd will be married December 18th to
Miss Carmen Vida, an English girl, at
present working in the interior Office.