The Press., 1893-06-22
(Sereno K. Bishop. in the Independently MINISTER BLOUNT AT HONOEU- LU,

The interest of the situation still cent CTS somewhat around MT. Blount, as it will do until he leaves, which will proba- bly, be very soon. By mail of the seventh of May, Special Commissioner Blount re- ceived telegram appointing him United States minister in place of MT. Stevens, whose effects were already packed for de- parture. He will occupy the position for only the briefest possible time, until a successor can get out here. It was thought not well to leave the office vacant for even so short a time, in view of possi- ble complications.
 MT. Blount's first act as minister was on the twenty third of May, and, however reasonable, was hardly calculated to in- gratiate him with the majority of our peo- pie. It was an act in protection of MT. Charles Nordhoff from inquiry by the government into 8 islander of the coun- cils, published by him in the New York Herald. He had stated that majority of the members of the executive and ad- visory councils had signed the petitions for the lottery. As none of the present members had ever signed such petition, Mr. Nordhoff was cited to appear before the councils and give his authority for so false and injurious statement. Mean times the United States minister inter- posed with an oral statement to Presi- dent Dole that United States custom did not permit their citizens to be thus dealt with for publications made in another country. Such being American prece- dent, MT. Blount has no option but to follow it. In this particular case, how ever, it hardly works in the interest ot truth.
 MT. Nordhoff is experiencing much bit terness. Three suits have been threaten. ed him for libel by gentlemen of good standing, for falsely charging them, in the Herald, with signing petitions for the lottery. For those cases his very humble published apologies have been accepted. A fourth demand has since been made upon him in behalf of President Dole, on account of groundless accusation in the Herald of having conspired with United States Minister Steveus to induce the ex- queen to sign an act of abdication a few months ago.
 These threatening demands have wrought severely on MT. Nordhoff's nerves, as he is not strong. He became apprehensive of personal violence beiue used, and, on the twenty-second applied to MT. Blount for protection. The marsh al, in consequence, has stationed police around the cottage which he occupies. Ii is entirely improbable that he would have been moIested, although public indigna tien is very hot against him on account oi the bitter and interruptions manner ir which he has vilified our government and people in the Herald. In reference to the petitions for the lottery, above named, he wrote that it was under the pressure of a crowd of such petitions, signed by lead ing citizens, that the queen was misled into signing the lottery bill. The truth was that five months before, and prior to the introduction of the bill, by secret rapid canvassing, few hundred sigma lures were obtained from men, many oi whom became active opponents of the measure, as soon as it was publicly dis cussed. The whole current of public opinion was intensely heated against the lottery at the time the queen signed it, last January 14th. It was a component part of her conspiracy against constitu- tional government, in which MT. Nord. hoff is now hired to abet her, by taking the lead in the royalist campaign of lies.
 Many facts are transpiring which ap- pear definitely to connect MT. Nordhof1 and the Herald with the great sugar trust as represented by Claus Spreckles, who is now here exerting his great influence to the utmost, but as yet without success, to unite the planters against annexation. The motive appears to be, their fear of refined and other sugars being sent from Hawaii in unlimited con petition with their monopoly. Last November, care full inquiry by an agent of the San Fran cisco Examiner developed the fact that most of the planters viewed annexation with great distrust, on account of it's put ting an end to contract labor, on which they felt dependent. After the revolu- tion of January, however, they became convinced that the only valid prospect of permanently stable government lay in an- nexation; and they joined in the move ment on that account. They are now as body it's hearty supporters.
 MT. Spreckels scouts the idea of re- turning to the rotten native monarchy as heartily as every other man of sense. He advocates an independent republic, sort of oligarchy, apparently somewhat after the Mexican pattern. It is quite certain that any stable government here which shall be destitute of the support of United States territorial authority, must, under existing racial conditions, be conducted by the more intelligent body of whites. Our radical objection to MT. Spreckels's plan is that he proposes to make the fu- ture Hawaii land of Asiatic coolies ruled by the few sugar lords and theil associates, whereas we who have grown up here into this beautiful American col. ony, desire our lovely country to grow in. to civilized christian state of American citizens, as it will soon do if united to oul parent land.
 It is for the people of the United States to decide whether Hawaii shall become the slave of the sugar trust or free ano noble sister state in the westward van o their empire, dominating for them the commerce of the North Pacific, and 6 naval fortress in defense of their Pacific coast.
 We are getting somewhat accustomed to the idea that annexation may be much delayed. Our government is strong. Int hearts of the people are strong. These days of trial are educating us in patriot ism and determination. There is no look ing backward.