The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-12-06
DISAGREEABLE NEWS.
MINIsTER WILLIS MOVEMENTS
DIsAPP0INT ADMINIsTRATION.
He May Act as an Arbitrator and At
tempt to Make tho Two Factions
Agree.

WASHINGTON, Dee. 6.-The state depart
nent was Informed of the news received
from Honolulu by way of Port Townsend.
Wash. 30 far as II conveyed the intention
OF Minister Willis to take no further steps
toward carrying out his instructions un-
less be should hear further from the de-
partment. So far as it conveyed the pub
Tic utterances In Honolulu by the minister
OF his intentions it was news to the de-
partment. TO the president and to the cabi-
| net.
There were indications to show that IL
was not agreeable news and the impress
sion was conveyed that the administration
Is rather disappointed at the manner in
which Minister Willis has thus far con-
Quoted his mission. IL Is evident that the
state department received by the last
steamer Uhe Alameda) the news that
Minister Willis had determined to defer
the carrying out Of bis Instructions until
he bad heard further from his govern
ment. 1t Is fair presumption that the
revenue cutter Corwin carries to him the
further instructions for which he asks.
The paragraph in the presidents mes
sage referring to Hawaii was written after
the additional instructions to Minister
bctu ulspdtCutu. Inc para
graph may be taken to reflect the spirit Of
the instructions
BY referring TO this it will be clearly
seen that what doubts or apprehensions
Minister Willis may have expressed of the
accuracy or good foundation OF the Blount
report, President Cleveland has not lost
any of his absolute faith in the Bount in
vestigatlon aud the justice of his conclu-
sions. IL is highly probable, therefore,
that the new instructions are repetition
of the o,d
IL Is learned from reliable source an
intimation OF the nature Of the policy IN.
tended TO be pursued in Hawaii. The ex-
tent of the active influence intended 10 be
employed in behalf OF reseating Liliuoka-
lani on the throne has probably been ex-
aggerated. The purpose OF the admins
tration is believed TO be rather to act as an
arbitrator as between two parties in dis
pute, and endeavor to prevail on them to
agree between themselves.
This was contingent upon the confidcps
belief, based on the explicit assertion con-
tanned in the last letter of Mr.. Blount,
that the provisional government would
fall to pieces when notified that annexa-
tion was impracticable. leaving an open
dispute between the ex-queen and the pro-
visional government leaders. Enough is
known of Minister Willis impressions,
gained since his arrival in Honolulu, to
make it certain that he does not agree
with Minister Blount In this at least.
Whether this impression caused his de.
termination to await further instructions
from Washington is a matter of conjec-
ture.
Yesterdays late news from Hawaii was
read In the cabinet meeting with interest,
and was the subject Of consultation in the
cabinet, but probably caused no change in
the plan decided on after hearing from
Minister Willis by the Alameda.
More About Willis.
PORT TOWNSEND, Wash, Dec. 6.-In an
interview Captain Cutler of the barken-
tine Klickitat, which arrived from Hon
olulu, said: Minister Willis told me he
was surprised to meet so many broad
minded, law-abiding and thoroughly in
telligent people in Hawaii. Willis is re-
ligiously inclined to considerable
extent, associated with the missionary ele-
ments in the island, and came in contact
with the ablest men in Honolulu, all OF |
whom are strongly opposed to the restora-
ton OF the monarchy, and especially the
queen.
ION account of her supposed unchaste
conduct this class of citizens were careful
to see that Willis was correctly informed
Of CERTAIN facts that Blount did not choose
to consider. After the steamer Alameda
sailed for San Francisco and up to the
time my ship departed for this port. a
spirit of uneasiness prevailed, lest Willis
was trying to throw the friends of the
government off their guard and permit
the royalists to gain possession of the gov
ernment buildings.
"While / was visiting Commander Bar.
ker Of the United States man of-war Phil
adelphia Nov. IL, an officer came aboard
from the Adams and asked IL short leave
was to be permitted Barker replied No.
and that the'crew should be held in readi-
ness to land at n moments notice Willis
iold me just before sailed that the United
States ought TO take decisive and mmedi.
ate action, as the present policy was ruin
ng business In this part OF the islands"