The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1893-03-17
Correspondence Associated Press.

HONOLULU, March 9.-If the friends of
annexation were elated on the receipt of
the news brought by the steamships
emma and Australia on the Goth and 22d
oil February, they were correspondingly
depressed when the Belgic put into
honolulu unexpectedly on March I'd,
and 1t was found that the treaty consum-
mated by Secretary Foster and the
Hawaiian Commissioners had not
reached a vote in the Senate. With the
exception of Minister Stevens and few |
other Americans no one had expected |
the treaty to be arranged so speedily. In |
TACT, 1t was known that certain of the
commissioners had arranged their bust
ness affairs here with view to being |
absent at least six months, and the fact
that so important a measure had been |
prepared within few days led to the be-
lief that the people of the United States |
appreciated the situation here and were |
deslrous OF applying remedial agencies |
10 the difficulties under which the Pro-
Nlslonal Government has been laboring. |
Inc disappointment of the American |
party in the islands was the source OF
much qualification to the royalists, and |
IL was not late in the day before assertions |
were boldly made that the treaty would |
never pass the Senate that annexation
was an impossibility, and that the Demo-
cratic majority which was to enter into |
the halls of Congress on the 4th of March |
would carry out the so-caIled American
policy of opposition to the acquiring OF
foreign territory, and would recognize |
the autonomy of Hawaii at least to the |
To to 10 81
Kaiulani, the heiress apparent, back ed |
possibly by an American protectorate.
The published letter of Secretary
Foster to United States Minister Stevens,
from their point of view. sustained the
adherents OF monarchial rule i'll their be-
lief that the course of Stevens and Captain
Wiltse of the cruiser Boston was not
countenanced by the Washington Govern
ment. 1t was subsequently pointed out
10 them that the flag of the United States
had not been hauled down from its place
over the Government building, as would
have followed an official withdrawal of
the temporary protectorate established
under pressure of the menacing policy OF
the British Minister, and furthermore
that Minister Stevens himself preserved
q cheertulness that could hardly be ex-
pected in the face of a rebuff from his |
Government.
To the American community the latter
letter OF Secretary Foster conveys differ
ent meaning than that which is ascribed
to the Observation-Disclosures. Minister Stew
ems, when seen by the Associated Press
correspondent, expressed himself as per-
tectly satisfied with the contents of Secre-
e Va, II
1ind," he said, that Judge, in render
ing decision, sums up his points in such
way that two-thirds of the listeners will
say that he will give judgment in favor OF
the opposite party, yet the logical con-
cluslon OF the decision may not be in ac-
cordance with these opinions. So with
Mr.. Fosters letter, which l am satisfied
was prepared with care, and which, to
use my smile, L think gives me the case.
while have been accused of precip-
ltating revolution said MIR. Stevens, 1.-The
fact remains and can be vouched for by
many here, that L did not desire response
oilities that would devolve upon me in
the event of change in the Government
OF Hawaii, and when the Jones Ministry
was appointed, and 1 went with the Bos-
ton to Hllo, L Was relieved, for l thought
the Government safe in good hands, We
returned, however, to find the best Min
istry, in some respects, that the islands
ever had had been BUSTED from office. and
q different set in their places. A revolu-
ton followed, and 1 can say that in TAX
ing the course which l did 1 was simply
following policy specifically laid down
under Secretary Bayard for Just such a
shows, has been the logical policy of the
United States. There was a time when it
was thought by our Representatives in
Congress that a coaling station and naval
rendezvous at Pearl Harbor would
amply manifest our authority here, but
that view would not have been generally
sustained in the face of a revolution"
Minister Stevens said the letters which
he sent to Washington bearing on the af-
fairs in the islands were not written with
view to publication, but he saw from
the newspapers that they had been given
out, together with other official docu-
ments. His letters, he said, expressed
his views, although they might be open
TO the criticism of the opposition here
He thought that the treaty as published
was carefully drawn and a satisfactory
document, and it might be that the SEN
ate would deem it wise to ratify it ere
long. "Why did England" he said,
take the stand in Samoa? Because she
was practically forced thereto by the cry
of the Australian colonies that they were
being betrayed by her inaction.. So
here any great delay, if such were
likely, might impair our relations with
England, Canada and the Canadian Pa
cific Railroad, which is striving after
every point to maintain its commercial
supremacy, urging the English Govern
Ynent to action, and it may lead to a pro-
test from the Gladstone Ministry, which
would not be desirable. A popular vote
on the question OF annexation taken here
would be useless, for, with the exception
of the rowdy element and a few interested
rersons of prominence, there is a strong
feeling for annexation. l am in COM
nunication with prominent men of
the other islands, and they assure me
that there is, if anything, a sentiment in
favor of it among the better class of ma
tives."
The present unsettled state of affairs
is not only manifesting an effect on COM
mercial lines in Honolulu, but is
strengthening the royalists in their oppo-
sition. A number of secret meetings
have been held, at which various meas
ures for the lettering of their condition
have been discussed. So far as known
-. - ,-;olaDca or of resort to arms