The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1894-01-10
STILL IN IGNORANCE
Secretary Gresham Repeats that
He Has No News from Hawaii.
Paramount Minister BlOunt Arrives i'm
Washington and Swaggers About
with Much Confidence.
A SURPRISE In THE HOUSE
Committee Votes FavOrably on
the BOutelle Resolution.
Senate Committee Continues It's Inves-
tigatiOn-Pertinen Opinion from
the London Times.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 9.-Secretary GreSfl-
am, in speaking this morning of the news
brought by the Associated Press from
Honolulu via the steamer Warrimoo, re-
peated his statement of last night that he
was without news of the condition of af-
fairs and the happenings in Hawaii, save
as he gathered it from the newspapers.
The Secretary said that he was awaiting
advices which were coming by mail.
The definite news that was published
this morning, brought a flood of in
quiries to the State Department Senator
Mills, of Texas, was one of the earliest to
appear. Soon after him came James F.
Blount, ex-commissioner to Hawaii. He de-
clinad to discuss the news from Honolulu
or to talk on the Hawaiian question at all,
His manner indicated an entire easiness
over the nature of Developments in Homo
lulu, and there was no sign of any per-
turbation on his part. He called on the
Secretary of State, he said, to pay his
spectS and then went over TO the Navy De-
partment for a friendly visit with Secre-
tary Herbert, who was chairman Of the
House committee on naval affairs in the
same Congress in which Mr.. Blount was
chairman of the foreign affairs committee
Later Mr.. Blount went to the House of
Representatives and mingled among his as
sociates before appearing before the Senate
committee of inquiry. He spent half an
hour in Speaker Crisp's private office
where he chatted on Hawaiian affairs with
Representatives Outhwaite, Tarsney and
others He confined his views to interest
ing descriptive features of his trip to Ha-
waii, and had nothing TO say on the merits
of the case or the situation at the present
time.
IN, 90 - ~
Congressman Mr.. Blount told of his visits
to the ex-Queen. They had been so brief
that they did not give him fair opportu-
nifty to Judge of her character intelli-
gence The first visit lasted only five mill
utes, and the Queen had little to say, ap-
parently desiring him TO do all the talking
and evidently not having a clear idea of
the situation OF affairs at that time. Mr.
Blount said that among the people there
a good opinion of the Queen, and tie
sensational stories corceiH:'.s. her found lit
tie credence. He referred to the fact that
since ne had arrived in Washington he
met a lady, the wife of a Congressman
from Mississippi. who had been in Hawaii
and knew the Queen. The lady stated that
at the time of her visit to Hawaii which
was prior to Liliuokalanis ascension to the
throne, people were honored at receiving
attention from her and at being privileged
to associate with her. To one of the Con-
gressmen who asked Mr.. Blount IF he at
tached significance to the news that the
British forces had been landed at Honolulu
for the ostensibe purpose of protecting
British interests he said that it was prob
ably fer the sole purpose of protection.
He added that it disclosed that much feel
ing and excitement existed on the islands.
ENTERTAINED RY RT,OTTNT
Some of the members referred to the
Blount report whereupor it's author said
that he had been compelled to make it
much longer than he wished. There was
very general desire among the people at
Honolulu TO say something on the subject
and they made constant applications to be
heard, so that much was necessary in
avoiding prolix statements and cumulative
evidences. Mr. Blount was asked for a
statement of the present situation.
Il have nothing to add to my report
n6 d NE IN I'm ff6 f6e condition nit NO of aaps
since | left the isalnds, and my report
closed l have been at home, and have
had communication with Washington
on the Hawaiian subject until | received
this summons to appear before the Senate
committee"
Frank z. Hastings Hawaiian charge d'af-
faires, also called at the State Department
this morning, but did not see the Secretary.
The legation had received no word from the
Warrimoos this morning, but confidently eX-
pected q telegram The Hawaiian charge
d'affaires is invited to the diplomatic din
on Jan. IA. Relations between the legation
and the department remain undiSturbed In
morning there were evidences of special ac-
tivity in the rooms of the secretaries and
clerks 1t is expected that anotner 21 speiclat peit
message will go to Congress In a very snort
time. but it could not be ascertained
whether work was being done on that this
morning The Cabinet meeting was lonser
tHan
devoted TO the Hawaiian question: 1here
were no absentees: IL vas nearIy 1gft tbe tiSo
Cabinet ROOM accompanied by Secretary or
Agriculture Morton. He seemed in a more
comfortable frame Ma eniovinr GI ne 'H good laugh
over a joke. He declined to be inter
viewed. however either , then tnen or on ms re-
turn TO the State Department; .
a surprise was furnished in the Hawaiian
matter by the action of the House commit
tee on naval affairs this morning. which
vot od unanimously to favorably report the
Routelle resolution TO the House. This res
olution is an iron-clad one, calling on the
Secretary of the Navy TO inform the House
what authority instructions were issued
p,acing tie naval forces under the orders
of Minister Blount ana TO Iurnish copies OF
all orders or suggestions issued by himself
or any officers of the navy since March T.
1899 concerning the naval forces at the
Hawaiian Islands. An amendment was
made Changing the date to March 4. 1892. so
that the operations of the navy in Hawaii
under the Harrison administration would
directed to furnish the information. and is
given no option to withhold documents
which he might consider secret or the
publicity of which he might hold con-
trary to public policy. One Democrat and
one Republican member were absent from
the meeting. Mr.. Boutelle did not object
10 the amendment. Chairman Cummings.
of the naval committee. will report the
Boutelle resolution 10 the House immedl-
ately, but SAYS ii cannot be considered un-
til the debate on the Wilson bill has fin
ished Mr.. Boutelle, on the other hand,
thinks that the resolution can be called up
at once and be debated for fifteen ninuets
each side as provided for in the rules.
Mr.. Boutelle SAYS that he is not surprised
at the course of Minister Willis in the
light Of all correspondence which has been
made public.
WORK OF SENATE COMMITTEE.
The work of the subcommittee of the Sen
ate committee on foreign relations. which
is charged with the Hawaiian investigation.
met a few minutes past 10 O'Clock this
morning and proceeded promptly to busi-
ness, Senator Sherman being the only alb
sentee.
The committee held brief executive ses-
sion for the purpose Of discussing the
charges which have taken place in the Ha-
waiian situation with reference to Hawaii
since the COMMITTEES adjourned on last
Thursday. The witnesses summoned for to-