The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-06-08
AFFAIRS IN HAWAII.
EXCITEMENT OVER REFUSAL OF THE
UNITED STATES TO ANNEX.
The Annexstionists Have About Abandoned
Hope Of Annexation and the Royalists
May Make an Effort to Reinstate
the Queen-Minister Blount.

ton atpresent is more in
teresting than for several
months and the town is agog over late
developments. First camn the arrest
of Buah and Kenyon, editors of native
papers, on charges OF libelieg the pro.
visional government and Minister
Stevens, then the publication OF Sec
rotary Gresham's instructions to Com.
missioner Blount and warning by the
latter to annexationists that they
could not depend upon help from
the United States in case
tho royalists attempted to reinstate
the queen, then the news of Blount's
appointment as United States minis
ter to Hawaii, and finally the attempt
of the provisional government to
silence Charles Nordhotf, the CORES
pondent of the New York Herald, and
Minister Blount's interference in his
behalf. All sorts of alarming rumors
are afloat and even Blount, who has
all along predicted there would be no
| trouble, is not now so confident. On
May Is Commissioner Blount gave
out for publication his letter of in
structions from Secretary Gresham.
The instructions are quite voluminous.
They request Blount to investigate the
condition of affairs on the Ha-
waiian island and say: "Your
authority in all matters touching
| the relation of this government to the
existing or other government of the
islands and protection of our citizens
is paramount, and in you alone, acting
| in cooperation with the commander
of naval forces, is vested full discre-
ton and power to determine when
such forces will be landed or with
drawn Among other things stated
by Secretary Gresham are that Min
lister Stevens be instructed TO furnish
MIR. Blount all the needed assistance
and would perform the usual func-
tions of minister, that while the
United States claimed no right
to interfere in internal conflicts,
this government will adher to it's con-
sistent and established policy and not
acquiesce in domestic interference by
other powers. AT the end of his in.
structions to Mr.. Blount he added the
lO1lO Ing " hllO L Ghdll
refrain from interference between con-
flicting forces of whatever nationality
for supremacy, will protect Ameri.
cad citizens not participating in such
conflict" These few lines created
great excitement,a as they are regarded
by all parties as plain invitation to
the Royalists to make trouble. The
Royalists, however, say they are not
prepared to take advantage ofBlount's
decision, but will await the decisi.
on of the United States. If the islands
are annexed they and the queen will
submit to the inevitable and become
good Americans. If the islands are
not annexed, as the royalists firmly
believe they will not be, then there
may be trouble. The provisional gov
eminent, although it does not look for
any disturbances, is strengthening it's
position and claim to be able to hold
together for several years, until the
next administration if annexation is
refused by Cleveland.
On May II the news of Blount's APP
pointment as United States minister
to Hawaii arrived. Blount immedi-
ately took the oath of Office and en-
tered upon his new duties.
Blount, however, has not accepted
the position permanently, but will
ask to be relieved as soon as possible.
Blount's appointment was apparently
satisfactory to both parties here, as
he is regarded as perfectly impartial
His work as special commissioner is
completed and the report has been
forwarded to Washington. Claus
Speckles is still vigorously fighting
annexation, and is charged by annex
ationists with working in the interests
of the sugar trust, of which he is al
legged to be member.
Although Minister Blount did not
formally enter upon his new duties
until May %, he has already come -
collision with the provisional govern
ment.
The writings of Charles Nordhoff,
New York Herald correspondent,
greatly displeased the annexationists,
who declared his statements untrue.
Nordhof himself is threatened with
violence and has been furnished police
protection. The provisional govern.
merit cited him to appear before the
exective and advisory councils and
give his authority for certain state.
ments. Nordhoff consulted Minister
Blount who advised him to nay
no attention TO tie demands. Blount
takes the stand that the provisional