Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-12-09
WILL OPENLY RESIST.
Americans Against Res.
tOratIOn.
AN INTERVIEW WITH WILLIS
Does Not Seem to Have Had the Paci-
flying Effect Intended.

DAN hANtlotOp AtCCs Us-AHo iE"uois
brings the following news from Hawai-;
From source almost in touch with the
American legation 1t is learned that the
contingency which has caused delay In
Hawaiian affairs until Washington is
heard from Is The fact that the provisional
government and resident Americans would
openly resist either compromise or restora-
tion.
In conversation with The Associated
Press reporter Minister Willis said he was
confident that legislation favorable to the
Hawaiian Islands would shortly take
place In the United State. He thought
the duty on sugar would be placed at
cent pound, and that the bounty would
Be repealed. This would make a net diff
ference Of about t15 a ton to Hawaiian
planters under their present contracts,
which allow the sugar there heavy re-
bate.
An interview with members OF the pro-
visional government develops a determin-
alton to stand on the defensive and take
nothing on trust until the United States
government Is officially heard either di-
rectly or through Minister Willis. In
the meantime troops will be kept fully
armed and q reserve guard ready at min
ute's notice. Many Americans assert that
no restoration -hall take place.
The provisional government express the
opinion that the use OF force on the part
Of the United States would he equivalent
to o declaration of war. Resident Ameri-
cans have at least 1900 riaes and smmuni-
tion in private hands, which IL would he
impossible to seize in case OF restorat tion.
Those best p sted say the throne would
not stand an hour after the withdrawal of
American troops
The theory Of restoration, however, will
not be believed here until the last moment
Should IL then prove true, serious trouble
will likely follow. Yhs much is admitted
by the clearest heads on both sides:
Haw wsiians stirred Up.
During the afternoon the Alameda
sailed Minister Willis made a statement,
virtually as already published, that moth
ing definite would be done here until he
had received q reply to dispatches sent to
Washington by the Alameda. This state.
ment was published in The Star
The stand taken by Minister Willis In
his interview with The Star c,used con-
siderable anxiety, owing tn the intima-
tion that any breach OF the peac. would be
punished by the American mi lister. To
The Associated Prrss his words were:
"Any trouble precipit tted on the other
side would be stopped at once by the
United States forces"
On the moring of the 18th, the day after
the Alameda left, President Dole called
upon Minister Willis to learn how far the
United States was expected to act in case
OF an emergency. 1t is understood that
President Dole very clearly Informed the
minister that the provisional government
commanded the situa ion, and would re-
quire no aid from the United States un,il
1t was called. The president assured the
minister that any breach Of peace which
might occur would be speedily dealt with
by the Hawaiian government.
The provisional governmtn mt received as
surances on the points mentioned which
were perfectly satisfactory. 1t is under
stood that Minister Willis said that lie
would stand back of the present govern
ment until the present difficulty was set
tied. Minister Willis sta, Ell he made the
public statement that nothing immedi-
ate would be done" to ease matters down,
and he believed crisis was approaching.
His remedy worked for few hou 5, hut
Il now appears he has divulged just
enough to stimulate speculation and no h
sides interpret his expressioI fav,rably.
which in the end will Doubtless add fuel
TO the political fire.
When The attention Of the United States
minister was cal ed to the fact that the
provisto nal government would aid him H.
keeping the peace, he replied that he did
not expect trouble unless 1t came fro a
irresponsible persons on either side.
Newspaper Rivalry.
Minister Willis has gotten into trouble
with the Honolulu Star il publishing the
interview with Mr.. Willis for a scoop ov r
its rivals, and they criticised the minister
for talking 80 freely. These critici m-
drew foI th the follow ing letter from Min.
lister Wills, published in the Hon lu
Bulletin, Nov. IL, the day after the inter
view had appeared In the Star;
ITO the Editor OF the Bulletin: l have
hastily glanced at the manuscript which
you have left The interview in The Star
was submitted to me, but I did not
scrutinze the expressions which are mis-
leading; due, am sure, not to any iuten-
ton on the part of the writer. The sh 1rt
conversation had with him had no poit-
ical significance whatever. When my
government is ready to make any official
or political statements, 1t will be else
where
II regret that casual remark in regard
TO the attitude Of the press here has been
miscopstrued. When I spoke to the re-
porter Of The Star IL was a. Representa-
tive Of the entire press. am not its cen
sor, aud my remark was not intended TO
Be misconstrued to the disadvantage of
any. 1t was intended to all To unite in
peace and good will, which / know is the
Wish of all GOOD citizsna Further than