The morning call., 1893-04-14
GENERAL HARTwELL TALKS.
He Sums Up the Situation for the
Calls CorreSnnndent

He Sums Up the Situation for the
Calls Correspondent.
General a. S. Hartwell. the leading law
year Of the Hawaiian Islands, in an inter-
view. sums up the situation as follows:
''1t is of more importance TO Hawaii as
well as to the United States to consider
what are the Inevitable consequences Of the
recent changes here than TO discuss their
causes.
The position on the 14th of January last
was practically a state OF anarchy, a con-
stitutional sovereign having publicly re-
pudiated her constitutional obligations and
declared her firm resolve to rule by royal
proclamation. Her subsequent retraction
of her threat did not serve its intended pur-
pose, either of aIlaying fears or causing the
intelligent people of this community to
place the slightest confidence in the state
ment
Hence, the action OF the organizers OF
the present Provisional Government ought
not to be regarded as revolutionary; on the
contrary, il was conservative of law and
order.
That action and this Government have
been recognized, sanctioned and approved
not only by the United States Minister
Plenipotentiary. Mr.. Stevens, and by Cap
vain w llLoC lutll III Cbfllldid Ol tue naval
forces, but by President Harrison and his
administration.
President Cleveland has sent his special
commissioner here to investigate things.
and he cannot if he would diyest the United
States Government OF its full responsibility
in all this business.
1T is not easy for the fate of an entire
nation to be held in allegiance as long as Mr..
Cleveland and his administration are, ac-
corning 10 our present lack of information,
appearing to hold the destiny of Hawaii
The result cannot be long delayed.
Either there must be annexation by the
United States or else a connection with
some other great power.
''Ihe natives at present are largely hold
ing alOof, for two reasons: one is that
they have been led TO think that they were
to have no right OF suffrage and will be
kept under the domination of the whites
and the other, aud, l suspect, the stronger
reason, that they are utterly in doubt
whether annexation on any terms will be
obtaiued.
There is plenty of human nature in their
motive for inaction; they do not care to be
branded as anneXationists by a restored
monarchy, but once lei them be sure of
equal rights with white mer and annexa-
tion is coming. and there will be few ma
tives to OppGsa it,
Colonel BlOunt's ordering down the
American flag and the withdrawal of the
United States forces so suddenly caused
surprise, approaching in many minds con-
sternatlon. L do not think that such abrupt
action was judicious. United States Drotec-
tion had been granted to the community pend
ing negotiations with the United States.
In consequence of that act the Government
had taken no steps to secure such supplies
Of arms and ammunition a otherwise would
have been taken, or TO make any overtures
looking to foreign protection from England
or any other source, consequently Honolulu
was left in far more exposed condition
than ii would have been in if United States
protection had never been granted.
However, great as the risk was, and l
think it was very great, the result is GER
tainly thus far very gratifying In bringing
out the strength Of the annexation party
to an extent that otherwise might not have
been discovered.