The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-02-12
WILL BE ANNEXED.
That Much Is Almost Set
tied.
HARRISON COMMITTED TO 1T.
The Commissioners Were Formally
Received and Are Delighted With
the Progress So Far Made.
Special to THE MORNING CALL

WASHINGTON. Feb. IA long step
toward the accomplishment of their mission
was taken by the Hawaiian annexation
commissioners to-day in their formal recog-
milton by the President
They had a conference with Secretary
Foster at the State Department this morn
ing lasting from 10 to Il 80 O'clock, and
completed all the preliminary details for
the conclusion of a treaty of annexation.
They reassembled at the department at y 80
o'clock and accompanied the Secretary Of
State to the White House
Their reception by President Harrison
was devoid of ceremony. 1t took place in
the beautiful oval room on the main floor
known as the blue psrlor. The entire party
walked from the State Department in pairs,
Secretary Foster leading with Mr Mott
Smith, the Hawaiian Minister. followed by
Mr.. Thurston and his four associate c0m-
missioners and Mr.. Kenney. their legal ad-
wiser. They were ushered at once into the
blue parlor and were almost Immediately
Joined by the President. who was in his
Office when they arrived.
There were no formalities but the pro-
ceedinEs were marked by 8 quiet dignity
befttlng the lmpor tance Of the occasion.
The Secretary of State first presented Mr..
Thurston, the head Of the commission. He
took the Presidents proffeTed hand, and
then handed him the credentials Of the
commissioners, explaining briefly the ma
tuEs Of their instructions.
The other gentlemen were then presented
Individually to the President. and an in
formal conversation followed in regard to
the condition Of affairs In Hawaii. The
pracfdanf vary r0rdi nl In his unaDnar
and expressed his personal pleasure at
meeting the commissioners and in accept
Ing their credentials. He said that the ne
Eoliatlons on the part Of this Government
would be conducted by the Secretary Of
State and express ed the hope that they
would result in an agreement TO the entire
satisfaction Of all parties concerned.
No speeches were made on either side,
and the Presidents remarks were made in
conversation with different members of the
party The reception lasted about fifteen
minutes and was very satisfactory to the
Hawaisns, Judging from their smiles and
happy remarks to one another as they left
the audience chamber TO return to their
hotel
The Star says: at is learned on good
authority that this Government has prac-
osition for the annexation Of Hawaii, and
that the President will send a message TO
Congress on the subject next week. It is
known that the commissioners feel satisfied
with the present status of the negotiations.
They make no effort to conceal their con-
fdence in the success Of their mission, and
evidently expect tangible results In a short
time. The absence Of representatives Of
Fho --in 6afaTr in
fixing the general policy of the United
States, as it is understood that the object Of
their visit to Washington is merely to see
that proper provision is made for the Queens
household. That is q detail that can
easily be arranged after the general plan Of
action Is determined"
The action Of Minister Stevens and
Captain Wiltse of the Boston In declaring a
protectorate over Hawaii without specific
authority from this Government continues
to be talked about In official circles. The
prevailing opinion is that unless Minister
Stevens has very strong case mis- action
will be repudated as unauthorized a
prominent official, speaking on the subject,
remarked that while the United States was
negotiating with the Provisional Govern
ment it was treating with an independent
power but when it came to negotiate with
q government over which we had already
extended protectorate, that was some
what different matter. He thought it was
too much Ike negotiating with man while
you held a pistol at his head. Others ex-
pressed every confidence In the Minister'S
ability 10 prove the wisdom Of his action.
The Hawaiian commissioners followed up
the distinct advantage gained by their Off
cial recognition to-day by the President,
which gives them diplomatic standing, by
calling in their new capacity as recognized
ENJOYS on Secretary Forster at the State
Department this afternoon. The confer
ence lasted an hour and a half
The Pres dent, as Will be seen, In ac-
centGating the cordial reception OF the CON-
missiouers this afternoon, intimated that
the negotiations which formed the subject
Of their mission would be conducted by the
Secretary OF State. The commissioners ac-
eordingly repaired to the State Department
at the close Of the ordinary routine of the
days business, and laid before Secretary
Foster 10 detail the practical proposition
they were authorized to submit. Some prog
ress was made as TO arriving at an har-
monious view Of the exigencies of the situa-
tion, and the conference adjourned until
Monday. The commissioners are meeting
in detail the objections urged against the
annexation of the islands.