The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-03-11
TR0UBLE IN HAWAII.
Over Bessrtetioa Of Chinese and Dspep.
tati0n OF Royaljst Hosaiaus.


Over Restriction Of Chinese and Dspss.
tatiOn OF Royalist Hsssiaas.
HONOLULU, March 3.-Since the sailing
OF the last steamer there have been no de-
velopments here of q disturbing nature.
There has been much restlessuess, how
ever. on the part Of the Portuguese and
Chinese, and the labor question has been
the governments most serious problem.
The Chinese held big mass meeting last
week. and made a demand for recognition
under the impending constitution. Some
OF their speakers. who are influential citi-
Gems here, went 90 far as to threaten that
the Chinese government would interfere
with q naval force In case the provisional
government should pass the Chinese regis
tration bill before the council. This bill
imposes severe restrictions on Chinese i'm
migrants. and provides registration sys-
tenn even more strict than the Geary act
The Portuguese, on the other hand, have
openly declared against the Chinese, and
many of their leaders are warm support
ers OF the provisional government and
members OF the annexation clubs.
The advisory council has also passed a
law for the exclusion and deportation of
white characters. The law was passed as
result of the arrival here of between 200
and 800 white men who seem to have no
visible means Of support. and who at the
same time receive means Of sustenance
from some unknown source. Investiga-
ton proved that most of them came on
the Canadian steamers from Victoria, and
this gave rise to many rumors that they
have been imported by the ex-queen's adj
herents to fight against the government.
The passage of tho deportation act is the
result Of these rumors. and the suspects
are now closely watched by the police.
The new law compels such characters.
when arrested, to prove their means OF
support.
In order to relieve President Dole of
some of his arduous duties f. NJ. Hatch
has been elected minister OF the interior
The general elections, which under tho
old constitution should be held in Febru-
airy. have been set aside. 1t is believed
that constitutional convention will be-
held within four or five months.
WASHINGTON CRY. March 1o--Secretary
Herbert has made response to the Bouteile
resolution in the house calling on him 10
state his authority for issuing instructions
placing the naval forces at Honolulu under
the orders of Blount. In substance the
answer is that the action was necessary to
prevent a conflict of authority, and that
the secretary's authority for issuing the
orders was the president, commander-in-
chief of the army and navy. and cites .
number Of presidents for the action. The
secretary begins the reply by quoting his
instructions to Admiral Skerritt and that
part Of Blount's credentials to President
Dole describing MS authority as paramount
in all matters pertaining to relations with
Hawaii, and calls attention to the fact that
at this time United States forces
had been landed and the United States
flag was floating over Honolulu. Under
the circumstances, aud in view Of the
remoteness of the islands, the secretary
says, IL was essential that no conflict of
authority with reference to the disposition
of the United States forces should arise,
but they should be employed in harmony
with tho policy Of the state department.;
therefore Skerriit was ordered TO obey the
directions of Blount. Herbert says he
deems 1t at all times the duty of the naval
department, in matters affecting foreign
relations, 70 act in suhordination to the
civil branch and not take the initiative.
except la special exigencies admitting OF
no delay. 1t was especially so in the case
in hand, because special representative
of tne state department was there, charged
With duties Of delicate and confidential
nature. Moreover. the orders were issued
by authority of the president himself
The secretary then cites number of pre-
cedents, running as far back es ls23. 10
show the propriety of the action taken.
In 1923 the United States ship Enterprise
was sent to Porto Rico and the commander
was to regulate his operations by the adj
vice Of Thomas Randall, agent OF the gov
ment. During the Mexican war Nicholas
frost. agent OF the state department.. Was
cios he'd with power TO arrange Tor the nu-
tuaI SUSPENSION Of hostiliiies. and CON-
moaors Perry vas instructed not to relax
the yigor of his operations while he tirost)
remained In Mexico. ''upiess he directs
Won 70 suspend them" This order vas
counlied with. In i.sS Gen. Babeock
went ON bo.rd the United States ship
Albany 10 San Domingo. and the Com
rnanicr xas directed 10 conform 10 al of
Gen. Babeock's wishes aud orders. In 1870
Lieut.. Commander Buncs had similar
orders In ISL, during the Chile-Peru
war Rear Admiral Batch was directed 10 he
governed as far as possible by the wishes
Of William Henry Trescoti. OF the depart
tneas of state, special envoy extraordinary
and minister plenipo.entioary.
sueee.sssi Tess OF HarveyiIed Plate.
wssHrSsrox Cgry. March lo-The navy