The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1893-04-01

THE FLAG DOWN.
The American PrOtectOrate
is Ended.
Will the ex-Queen Appeal to
Japan ?
Signs That the Japanese Favor Her
Cause.
SCENES AND INCIDENTS OF THE
EVACUATION.

Reported.
The fact that Commissioner Blount
had told President Dole and Minister
Stevens that the flag would be lowered
to-day was known yesterday afternoon.
At the request of eminent citizens who
feared a night of turmoil and excite
ment, the STAR RETAINED from giving
out the news. Its force, however, made
an active canvass of official quarters
and learned of a number of things
which throw light on the situation and
may now be printed.
Commissioner Blount does not lower
the colors with a view to restore the
monarchy but to put the Provisional
Government on an independent basis
of its own SD that he, as representa-
tive of power not responsible for local
administration, may negotiate with it.
Neither does the withdrawal of the
naval arm mean that the royalists will
be permitted to revolt. If the peace is
disturbed the American forces will land
again, if needed, and assist the Provi-
sional troops in keeping order.
The ex-Queen, who has been plot
ting against the powers that be, made up
her mind yesterday to appeal to the
Captain of the Japanese cruiser to land
his men to day and put her authority
under the protection Of his flag. The
statement comes to US that he agreed
to do so. The Naniwas commander
has made his hostility to the United
States known in many ways and has, at
least once, declared his ability and
limited his inclination, to blow the
United States vessels out of water
This was when a royalist Chaffed him
with the story that he might have to
give up the Japanese prisoner who es
capped to his ship at the demand of the
American admiral.
"You would come to time quickly
enough" said the royaliSt, :" if Admiral
Skerrett should go on board the Nan
iva and threaten in case the man was
not given up, to remove him by force. "
"You deceive yourself" was the rep
ly, 81 would give the Admiral time
enough to go to his ship and then l
should blow the American fleet out of
water. 1t would be mere play-spell for
the Naniwa. l believe my government
would approve such a course as it deep
ly feels the treatment given Japanese
residents in the United States, where
they are classed with the Chinese.
beg to assure you that we have no fear
of the American navy. Ours is much
stronger and more serviceable and we
have the sympathy and financial aid of
the leading European power. An at
tempt to coerce my ship would be cause
for immediate battle and subsequent
hostilties"
Other evidences of anti American
feeling were given when the Japanese
officers refused, with open contempt,
to attend the W.ltse ball, and when the
Captain of the Kongo, declined to take
a letter of introduction to Mr.. Baker OF
Hilo, on the ground that he did not
wish to meet an American. When as
sured that Mr. Baker was half caste
Hawaiian, he said:
"Oh in that case | should be most
happy to receive it"
Other straws serve to show the direc
ton of the current For week past
the Japanese contract laborers all over
the island have been uneasy and have
shown desire to get the earliest news
about "trouble with America" One
of them said to his employer yesterday
"You let me go9 l go may be fgh
with America. Gun fire on Naniwa
go town. You get piliki go?"
This mao afterwards showed a re
volver and asked if he could 6gbt
America with that.
mo" was the response.
'"Then know where get gun" said
the man significantly.
About 1000 Japs around Honolulu
have served in the imperial army and
it is rumored that they are ready, on ;
signal from the Nanlwa, to hurry to the
wharves and join the japanese sailors
who would supply them from the cargo
OF small arms believed to be in tn,
cruisers hold At any rate the pros
pect of overwhelming aid from JSpal
has seemed good enough to the ex
Queen and her advisers, in case tn
American colors were to be haule'
down, to make her and they coniden
of all early restoration.
The Japanese phase of the matte
was brought to the notice of Ministe
Stevens, Commissioner Blount an,
Admiral Skerrett last night, and is be
leved to have formed the basis of al
important consultation. We are tolC
although the important fact canno
vet be verified-that Admiral Skerrett
will prevent the landing of any foreigl
forces, and that he feels confident tina
he can hold his own against any attacI
upon his vessels that may follow.
1t is reported that the America
Commissioner, in view of the Japanes
threat, thought best to take decisiv
steps and notified the diplomat
AIot he mould ,artNit d,