New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-11-19
THE HITCH IN HfU.fH

President Cleveland is treating the American
people in his continued refusal to declare what
it is TO which he has committed them in la
wall with gross contempt The discretion with
which he is clothed rs to the publication of
State Department affairs is abused when he
gives out enough of Il situation to excite uni
vcrsal anxiety and then stubbornly refuses 10
show how far public apprehension is necessary.
1t is reported from Washington that when
Secretary Gresham heard that Minister Wills
had as yet done nothing to carry out the in
structions which Mr. Gr,sham'S report com
PEELED everybody to fear he had been charged
WITH the Secretary smiled He did not
seem at all surpriscd.' and nothing in ms
manner indicated that he had been looking Tor
any other than the news he got. Indeed.
Then what does Mr.. Gresham mean 10y printing
formal proposition, dated prior to Minister
Willis's departure from San Francisco, to upset
the existing republican government at Homo
lulu. and. without qualification as 10 the means.
to restore tho monarchy:
Mr.. Gresham smiled. Are Mr. Gresham ana
the dicatOrial ruler he serves having fun III the
expense of the American people: DO they ma
il amusing to threaten 10 involve us III war; To
watch our faces while grow serious. and To
say it is none of our business when we demand
to know just what their threats mean: They
smile, do they. ana bctray only langnid i'll
tcrest" in the news and then "dcclne TO say
a word and surround themselves with an
impenetrablc rescrve:" Then they confer in
secret and have out their hilaritv Al least
they ought TO. They should lose no chance 10
laugh now They should keep up their pom
posity and their show Of lanGrlor while they
can 1t nav strike them now as funny 10 irie
with the Nation. but they will learn better
They will hear some news in due time AT which
they will not smile and in which their interest
will be much else than lansuid.
Mr. Gresham. of course. is playing part.
He is attitdinzing before the country lie
happens to be for the first time in his life full
in the public eye. and he must look great ana
as if he were used to l.. The dispatches of our
own correspondent at Washington. however.
show plainly enough that if he Is having fun
it is not without moments Of sobcrncss. The
Administrations plans have miscarricd-how,
San Francisco dispatch to The Tribune lndi'
Gates The Provisional Government Of Hawaii.
having administered the affairs of the island
for ten months, not only without our help but
in spite Of the intrigue and menace Of our
"paramount' person, Blount. having paid of
the Ouccn's debt to SprcckclS and sent him
about his business. and having obtained from
every Government represented at its capital
full and formal recognition. is not TO be topplcd
over by "A frown from President Cleveland. II
holds its own and will be dislodgcd. if ut ALL
only by something which Minister Willis wants
more instructions about before he sets ii agonS
This is prudent Of Minister Willis, and If the
authority which gives instructions knows its
interest not to speak Of its duty. he VIII b"
told 10 stop all hostile practices and to treat the
Government toward which he has expressed
goodwill and fair purposes with Ill that his
expressions imply. Would il not be spectacle
of National rcproach. at which every American
would color with shame and disgust. 10 see the
Minister who. in their name. has made such fai:
protcnces turn now around and prove himself
and his country false: 1t is incredible that an
American President could entertain so base Il
purpose.