The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1894-12-31

y
of Pearl Harbor was being made by
his order.
Another telegram, dated July 9th,
ordered him, upon the arrival of the
Charleston at Honolulu, to turn over
his orders to the commanding officer
OF that vessel and return without de-
Law on the Pliladelphia to Mare ISL
and. On July 11th the Admiral was
directed by telegraph to Mare Island
to turn over the command OF the Pa
cific squadron to Admiral Beardslee
duties of superintendent of the Naval
Academy. Another telegram, of date
of July Goth, directed the Admiral.
then at Honolulu, to proceed at once
to Mare Island without awaiting the
arrival of the Charleston.
Admiral Walker began his reports
to the department by letter from
Honolulu, dated April 25th, stating
that he had assumed command of
the station, and telling of the con-
sequent formalities. On the 18th OF
the same month he wrote a long
letter touching the political position,
giving his impressions. Promising
his remarks with the statement that
the Provisional Government appeared
to be firmly established, and that life
and property were secure, the Admiral
saws that there are two causes which
give uneasiness-the uncertainty of
the natl yes as to ultimate restoration
of the Queen, and the possible disaf-
lection of the Japanese. The registra-
ton had closed with but 1900 regis
trations in Honolulu. Comparatively
few natives had registered, their policy
being one of abstention from political
affairs under existing circumstances.
l. inf hU
leaders that they would be punished
if the Queen was restored, and they
were afraid to take the risk. They
were being constantly told that she
would be restored by the United
States, and foreign influence encour-
aged this balief and apprehension.
Could they feel assured that the mon
archy would not be restored by out
side interference, it is believed they
would readily participate in the for
nation of a new government. The
sentiment of loyalty to the monarchy
and Queen is, says the Admiral, to q
considerable extent, a sentiment of
self-interest, of self-preservatlon in
the event of restoration.
"I am satisfied" said the Amiral,
"that clearly formulated assurance
from the United States of non-lnter-
ference with political affairs of Hawaii
and of the disapproval of interference
upon the part of any other nation
would rest the situation clearly upon
it's local merits in the estimation of
all classes without hope or fear of out
side pressure, and would tend to
speedy settlement of all troubles"
{ Touching the japanese, the Admiral
says they number over 10000 on
the islands, and are inclined to be tur
fbulent. They stand together as a solid
body. Their leaders have political
ambition, and propose to claim the
right to vote. Many persons think
them possible source of future dam
ger. They are brave, with military
instinct, and would fight if aroused or
excited. The Portuguese also have
political aspirations, but they are q
law abiding, desirable class of lmmi-
grants. The Chinese do not enter into
politics to any extent. AS a rule, the
English are royalists, but many favor
the Provisional Government and an
nexation.
The Admiral complains of our lack
of naval strength and the taking away
of the Adams, leaving the flagship
unsupported. He says we should have
a force equal to any two other foreign
forces combined, while we are equaled
by the English and excelled by the
81
Charleston, he recon- mends the send
ing of the Monterey 10 Honolulu, and
closes by saying that if the Marion
touches there on her way to San Fran
cisco he shall detain her until after
the elections, and longer if deemed
advisable.
In his next letter, of date April %,
the Admiral tells OF the notice served
by the British Minister, Wodehouse,
upon President Dole Of the intention
of his Government to use Necker ISL
and as a cable station and his request
that nothing be said about it to the
French or to any one. The President
replied that he felt bound to inform
the United States, in view Of the close
relations with that Government.
There is little of interest in the next
three letters beyond one statement
that the hopes of the royalists appear
to be diminishing, but on May 30 the
Admiral tells of the celebrated race for
the possession of Necker Island be-
tween the Champion and the small
steamer chartered by the Hawaiian
Government. On June Il the Ad-
miral sends a preliminary report upon
Pearl harbor, which has already been
published in substance, which he says
he has caused to be surveyed because
! OF the interest he has long held in the
subject and in view of it's great value
| to the United States.
On June % Admiral Walker notes
| the receipt of the formal announce
| ment Of the action Of our Senate to-
ward Hawaii. He says: "This definite
announcement Of policy, expressed
! in terms so clear and unmistakable,
| has strengthened the hands of the ex
| isting Government and will undoubt-
| edly assist in the solution of certain
| difficult questions which attend the
/ adoption of n constitution and the es
tablishment Of permanent form oi
| government. The royalists are CORE
spondingly depressed and discouraged
"In my opinion" says he, "the peace
is not in danger Of being disturbed a.
/ present"
Many letters tell of the various for
malities attending the organization 0
the Republic. He says: 81 hear OF M
objections being made to those Provis