The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1894-02-08

The conduct OF Minister WILLIS in Ha-
wall since the failure OF the main project Of
Mr.. cLEvELASD's policy of infamy. requires
explanation. Mr.. WILLIS studied insult
On Jan. II 10 the Government to which he is
sccredited. looks like an attempt on his
part. under instructions from Washington.
10 foment trouble In the interest Of the rap
Idly dwindling royalist party.
Although Mr.. WILLIS occupies In one re-
spect position unique in the history Of
diplomacy. he is yet the Official representa-
tive In Hawaii OF the United States Govern
ment. He has been compelled. 1t is true.
20 bear to the Government to which he is
sccredited the preposterous and unheard-of
fsquest OF Mr.. CLEVELAND that that Gov
eznment shall voluntarily abdicate its pow
er In favor OF woman who has been for
pear private citizen OF Hawaii. The re-
eaest was promptly. firmly. and with dig
sity declined. TO Mr.. WILLIs's humiliation
and to the angry and spiteful modification
OF his principal in Washington. Neverthe-
less. WILLIS is still Minister. bound by the
ordinary diplomatic rules OF courtesy to
the Government receiving him.
That Government has been recognized
not only by BENJAMIN HARRISON and by the
Senate OF the Fifty-second Congress, but
over and over again by the present Admin
tstration OF Mr. CLEVELAND. AIr. WILLIS
ofhcial relations with IL are precisely the
same as those OF Mr.. BAYARD with the
British Government. Of Mr.. EUsTIs with
the French Republic. or OF Mr.. RUSYoS with
the Imperial Government OF Germany. Jan.
II Is the Hawaiian Fourth OF July. The 18th
OF last January was the first anniversary OF
the establishment Of the Hawaiian Govern
ment. to which both BLoUNT and WILLIS
went outcarrying almost gushing messages
Of friendship and good will from Mr.. CLEvE-
LAND. To an invitation to participate official
ly In the celebration OF the day. WILLIS re-
turned a refusal; and he also put emphasis
upon his declination by sending orders to
Admiral IRWIN to display no flags upon the
American ships. and To permit no American
officers or sailors Ia attend the celebration.
II is alleged in the last dispatches from
Honolulu that in this matter Mr.. WILLIS
acted ON private understanding with the
British Minister. who is an open partisan
- the dethroned Queen. However that
bay lie. the insulting behavior Of the
american Minister brought to him promptly
The thanks and congratulations of the lead
ing royaltst cunspirators in Honolulu.
Hhusit appears that although Mr.. CLRvE-
LAND pretended to turn over To Congress
the settlement Of the Hawaiian question.
and TO act from that time merely as a re-
porter TO Congress Of information received
through the Department OF State he is
really az work as before. prosecuting
through WILLIS his intrigues in behalf Of
the woman LILIUOKALANI
Apparently tho game which WILLIS is
noS playing Is 10 provoke by deliberate in
suits % the Provisional Government his
own dismissal from the islands. Such a dis
missal would be justified by the incident of
Jan. IL; hut IL would afford to Mr.. CLEvE.
LAND the opportunity which he seems most
OF all To desire, namely. to break on dIplO-
matte relations with Hawaii by refusing 10
send Ia the Senate the name uf successor
To WILLIS, leaving the field clear in the
Islsuds FOR British Influences and royalist
eonspirators to do their utmost 10 destroy
ths Provisions! Government
fettinsss Is too large-sized a word to use
IN describing such . tTick, attempted w.