The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1894-06-18

WASHINGTON, June 3.-Tbe full signifi-
canoe OF Resr Admiral Walkers assign
ment TO the command of the Pacific
waii, has at last leaked out, SO states
the Herald's correspondent In a dis
patch to that newspaper tonight.
AS stat d in the Herald Mt the time OF
his sudden detachment from the Navy
Department and assignment TO duty at
Hawaii, in place of Commodore Kirk
land, who was recalled by telegraph be-
fore he reached San Francisco en- route
to Honolulu, meant something more than
the establishment of a coal station at
Pearl Harbor.
It is true Admiral Walkers mission
has something to do with a naval sta
ton, but have it upon absolutely relI-
able authority that the prime object in
dispatching Admiral Walker to Hawaii
was far more important In all its bear
ings. At the time his assignment was
determined upon, information came to
the President that the Provisional Gov
eminent was liable to go TO pieces at any
moment; that the adherents of the de-
posed Queen were plotting revolution,
and were only waiting for their plans 10
mature to attempt TO regain control OF
the Government by force. 1t was feared
this would lead TO civil war and anarchy:
that the Provisional Government would
be unable to restore or.ier, and that in
their helpless condition President Dole
and his advisors would call upon Great
Britain or Japan for assistance.
President Cleveland knew what it
meant in case British marines and blue
jackets were landed in Hawaii. He
earsd it would take about as long 10
restore order in Hawaii as it has taken
Great Britain to restore ordero In
Egypt. Hawaii would be practically
under British military control And ii
England once had the upper hand the
United States would play but minor
part in any settlements.
MUST KEEP HANDS OFF.
Admiral Walker was told by the Presi-
dent that the administration had no in
tention of restoring the Queen. but at the
same time this country would not per
nit any other country to exercise DOM
mating influence in Hawaiian affairs.
The Admiral was invested with diplo-
matte as well as military functions.
OF course, he was not to interfere In
any way with Minister Willis, but he
was told If Ii became necessary to act he
was TO act with the greatest promptness
in case of any outbreak. In case of an
attempt on the part of the queens ad-
h"fents to resort TO civil war Admiral
Walker was To take ADVANTAGE of the
situation as to have a voice IN the set
tlement OF affairs, and above everything
else, IN case necessity arose for foreign
intervention, he as ranking foreign
officer, being an Admiral, was to be in
command OF the forces and take the
leading part in everything that was
done.
The fact that the United States and
not Great Britain or Japan or any other
nation was going to have the first voice
in the settlement was TO he made known
by Admiral Walker to the representa-
tives of foreign powers, naval as well as
diplomatic.
The proper carrying out of this mis-
sion called for rare qualities. 1t needed
man of cool and determined courage.
eelf-restraint, judicious, prompt to act
it occasion demanded il and vet not ex-
citabe, and with it all diplomacy of the
highest order.
WHY HE WAS CHOSEN.
In looking over the list of officers
available for this duty the President
Walker was the one for this
That was the reason whv
he was ordered to the comm and and re-
lieved Commodore Kirkland on the eve Of
sailing Another rea on why it was deen,-
ed edinexpedient t. allow Commodore Kirk
land t. reta N command, although he ia
a splendid officer, is that he is only a
Commodore while Admiral Walker mas
the highest rank in the navy, and in the
event OF trouble it was necessary that
the American commanding officer should
be of the highest rank. Great Britain
has no officer there above the rank OF
captain.
That was also the reason whv Admiral
Walker was given permis sion 10 take mn
his quarters on ehore instead of hains
confined to his flagship. 1t was essen
Lial he should be in close touch with
everything that was going on; that his
hands should be cons antly on the p,,lsa
)f the people. Ostensiblv he has baar
levoting all OF his energies to the aroui-
'ieon OF Pear harbor, really he has bean
loosely Watching events on the islao,ia
Admiral Walker has sent several intar.
'eiing dlspa cheH to the President. He