The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-04-15

HONOLULU, April Con- Arril the
American flag was hauled down and
the Hawaiian flag run up and the
American marines went aboard their
ship. This action was taken pursuant
to the instructions carried by Commits.
sioner B,ount.
The royalists, in view of this, Mr.
Blount's first official act, which was un-
accompanied by any word or explans.
ton, are greatly encouraged. Minister
Stevens was not informed of the con-
missioner's intention to lower the flag
and the provisional government had
less than twenty.four hours notice.
Members of the provisional govern
ment called on Mr.. Blount April 3, re-
turning his visit of March 80, when he
was introduced by Minister Stevens,
and presented his credentials. The con-
ference lasted over an hour. Attorney.
General Smith said while the commits
sioner gave them no direct assurance OF
any Kind beyond that the United States
would allow no foreign interference
the government was we'll pleased with
the manner of the com % issioner, and
did not think their interests would
suffer at his hands.
Since the unexpected withdrawal of
the United States flag the chief danger
aapprehended here IS that OF Japanese
interference, either on behalf of or at
the application of Japanese subjects CT
Hawaiians themselves Honolulu, al
ways town of rumors, was startled or
the Same night OR which tho proposed
hauling down OF the Stars and Stripes
became known by n report that the
queen anticipated such action and would
apply to the captain of the Japanese
cruiser Naniwa for protec ion against
the provisional government and assist
ance to restore her to tho throne.
Minister Stevens, Commissioners
Blount and Admiral Skerett consulted
over the matter, and it is stated agreed
that Japanese interference would be an
act of hostility to the United States and
tina. American interests demanded that
such BIO repealed. No hostile demon
stration, however, has been made by
any party up to this writing. So many
rumors have been circulated regarding
the intentions Of the Mikado represen-
tatives that the officers OF the cruiser
and the consul have been led to make
denials of the reports. The officers OF
the Japanese cruiser called on Admiral
Skerett few days ago and assured him
that no hostile intentions wore enter
tanned. Tho Japanese consul in
newspaper interview makes similar
disclaimer.
WASHINGTON, April 14-There is
diplomatic reticence around the White
House concerning the nature OF the
instructions given Commissioner Blount
in his mission to Hawaii, but it is stated
with some positiveness, that he was
given authority for hauling down the
stars and stripes at Honolulu prior to
n q ri Vo ~;
understood that Mr.. Blount was given
definite instructions to withdraw the
protectorate Of the United States over
Hawaii In order that this government.
might find itself free in dealing with
the main question OF annexation.
On tho afternoon of his departure
from Washington for San Francisco,
Blount spent somo time at the White
House. The Cabinet was in session and
BlOunt was called in, and discussed with
the President and his Official family tho
manner OF his course TO be pursued in
Hawaii. lie left for San francisco that
night, hut the nature Of his mission
leaked out before he was thousand
miles from Washington and the news.
was telegraphed to San Francisco,
where Mr.. Brush, Queen Lilioukalanis
agent, learned it and started imme-
diately for Honolulu. So when Mr.
Blount arrived ct his destination the
knowledge of his. business had precea aed
him.
1t was not the intention to keep
| secret what that business was with the
| exception. OF tho fact that the commits
sioner had authority to declare the prca
| tectorate at an end The exception
was guarded care fully by Blount for the
reason given, It is said by the President,
that IL the fact that the American flag
| was to. DO hallle& down became ,.nown it
| might create trouble and bloodshed.
and also offer temptation ia, foreign.
nations to step in and secure the prl2a
before the tTnites States could offe,
adequate explanation for ,ss course.
Blonnt followed his Instructions to the
letter, tde waited until the sxcitem3nt
incident to his arrival had. completely
died out and Affairs were IN a trarauil,
state before making knc wn thaS the
protec torate WAS at an ems.
He also made it known at the sama
tine that the United Stats would stilf
consider Hawaii and isGwaiians undsr,
its guardianship, so fa-ras outside inter.
ference WAS concerned, and in this also
shared the caution w.s;Gh Mr.. Cleveland
and Secretary Gresham had impressed
| on him TO deprive t,ta announcement OF
| any tinge of sensatsO'ialism.
Little Lord Faussf:leroyN at tn q Academy
shis afternoon att Z. Mabel Paige In tha
title role.
The. EIger Is Snont.
A r.