The morning call., 1893-06-01
there will be no doubt of a favorable

/
March 81 the total assets were S7,S15.00o.
On the same date the total liabilities were
So. 265, 600, and at present writing the Gov
eminent is running within its monthly
income of 500. 600 and has steady sale al
par for its bonds. The applications for
bonds this week have been $4,000
An investigation of the Governments
finances has developed the following facts
The pure natives of the islands pay but 81
in every 81 90 of taxes, own but acre in
every 7.40 of taxable land and but acre in
16 of the whole area. These holdings are
all heavily mortgaged and are rapidly
passing into foreign hands. On the other
hand, the natives and half-whites form %
per cent of tn entire population and 20
per cent of the voters. while they hold
two-thirds of all the Offices under the Gov
eminent.
On May % the Provisional Government
came into collision with Charles Nordhotf.
correspondent of the New York Herald,
or rather Mr.. Nordhoff came into collision
with the Government, concerning libels
published by him under date of April %
Mr.. Nordhoff's correspondence has raised
much Indignation here. especially those
portions accusing the Provisional Govern
ment and ex-Minister Stevens with con-
spring to have the ex-Queen abdicate, and
the charges made against prominent men
and members of the councils, that they
signed the petitions asking the eX-Queen
to favor and sign the notorious lottery bill
after passage.
When the first batch of misrepresenta-
tions was received Mr.. Nordhoff was
threatened on the streets with coat of
vailed. Demands were made upon him
and the royaliSt Journal which republished
his letters here for ample apologies, and
these have been publ almost daily
since that time. Mr.. Noruhoff is, in other
words, taking his whole cores pondence
back Riecemeal
On May % Mr.. Nordhoff stated that he
feared violence from the American resi-
dents and applied to United States Minis
ter Blount for protection. In other words.
be sought the protection he had demanded
in his Herald letters should be withdrawn
from all American citizens here favorable
to annexation.
a few minutes before Minister Blount
asked protection for Nordhoff the eXecu-
tive Of the Provisional Government had
sent him note demanding retraction of
his published statement concerning eX-
Minister Stevens and President Dale. The
cOunclIS met an hour later and deter
mined to cite Nordhoff to appear the next
morning at II o'clock to explain why he
had wantonly libeled mem berS of the
councils and Government.
In the meantime Nordhoff did not ap-
near on the streets save once, when he
was driven rapidly through town in hack
win his hat drawn over his eyes, and
since then he has not appeared in public
Al O'Clock In the evening of the 22d the
Government sent two native policemen 10
guard Nordhof's cottage or Nuuanu street.
where they still remain, although there is
absolutely no danger of violence.
Yesterday morning the councils met at
II o'clock, and after several items of minor
Importance had been called the citation of
Nordhof was taken up in open session
MI n ordhO offs name was formally called
three times, but be failed TO appear. The
charge upon which he was cited consisted
OF all that portion of his letter TO the New
ork Herald republiShed in the Honolulu
Bulletin, which alleged that members of
the councils and Government had signed
petitions favorable TO the notorious lottery
bin got up in the interests of the ex.
Queen and the palace retainers.
motion to consider the matter in
special session was withdrawn, and Coun-
cillor Hatch arose to introduce resolu-
Ton, when he was interrupted by the
President
President Dole said he thought Mr..
Nordh"tf had absented himself on the
advice of Minister Blount, who had called
at the foreign tffice the previous after
noon, and stated that the United States
Government had established presidents
covering cases where alleged libelous pub
lIcatlOnS had been made by Americans
residing in foreign countries. He stated
Minister BlOunt unofficially called his at
tention to the case of Editor Cutting IT,
Mexico. where that gentleman had been
imprisoned for publishing libel in Texas,
but was afterward released on the demand
of the United States.
1t was Mr.. Blount's opinion that
the precedent would cover any case
where criminality attached, and that,
therefore, if the Government intended to
proceed against Mr.. Nordhoff he would
feel it was his duty to interfere. In con-
clusi0n, President Dole said that While he
considered Nordhoff's case a small thing
by itself, It would be we'll for the councils
to investigate the legal phases thoroughly
before proceeding to action.
President Damon asked If Minister
Blouht had given the Provisional Govern
ment official notice to the effect stated.
President Dole said the Minister had
not given official notice, as il was not
deemed necessary to go into any cores
pondence regarding the matter, but Mr.
Blount had stated it was his opinion the
Provisional Government did not have
jurisdiction to proceed criminally against
an American citizen in such case.
Mr.. Young said that under the circum-
stances the councils had better consider
the matter in special session, as its impor-
lance required discussion before it was
decided what course should be pursued.
The matter was taken up In special ses-
sion and it was decided to begin a civil
SUIT for libel against Mr.. Nordhoff, ard
the Attorney General, assisted by Mr.
Hatch, was ordered TO prepare the proper
papers. They will be filed during to-day.
One of the incidents Of the situation
here has been caused by Mr.. Spreckels'
relations with the Provisional Govern
ment When he came down here he ex-
pressed himself as outspoken against
annexation, but was surprised to find him.
self in hopeless minority.
He was the creditor of the Government
to the extent of $4,000. a sum advanced TO
the eX-Queen, which the Provisional Gov
ernmenr, of course, had assumed. Using
this as a club, as the boys say, Mr.. Spreck-
els sought to Influence the members of the
Government toward his way of thinking. FL
nally the Provisional authorities arranged
Bishop q Co. TO take up the debt falling
due and to stand behind the Government
hereafter if necessary. The gold to take
up Spreckels' claim will arrive on the next
steamer.
1t is thought that Frank Pratt, Consul
General a San Francisco, will soon be re-
moved and his place will be filled by either
General Dimond of San Francisco or
Charles Wilder of Honolulu.
Pending the decision of the Cleveland
Cabinet in the matter of the new treaty
and annexation in general the Provisional
Government is backed by the 1000 mem