The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1894-04-12
LATEST ABOUT HAWAII.
Nothing Secret About Admiral
Walkers Mission.


April 3 the following appears about
Admiral Walker. 1t would seem
that Admiral lrwin's pame is used
in one paragraph by mistake for his
successors:
Admiral j. q. Walker, who will
relieve Admiral Irwin OF the com
mand uf the squadron at the Hawai-
ian Islands, arrived in the city from
Washington yesterday. He will leave
ou the next steamer for the islands.
He is accompanied by 5. A. Stauu.
ton, his flag lieutenant, a position in
the Navy that corresponds to the
office of adjutant in the Army, and
his secretary, Samuel Wood.
Admiral Walker was very much
amused, when seen at the Palace
last evening, over the published re-
ports that he had barred his door to-
reporters.
There is moi hing secret about my
mission he said. IL am going to
Honolulu to relieve Admiral Irwin,
but what | will do after assume
command of the squadron is mat
ter that am not fully advised on
myself Admiral Irwin will be
placed on the retired list on April
18th. That will be his sixt second
birthday, and, pursuant to Navy re-
gulations, that event marks the con
clusion cf his active service in the
Navy. ] will be on hand to- relieve
him of the command on that day,
as | expect to arrive in Honolulu by
the 18th"
1t is rumored at Washington that
Admiral Irwin has instruct ions from
the Administration bearing upon a
proposition made by Queen Liliu-
okalani to relinquish all claims on
the throne and favor annexation
provided she receives an annuity of
S2O,OOO. When questioned on the
subject Admiral Irwin smiled and
said he knew nothing of what he
might be called upon to do at the
islands.
Another rumor bearing on the
subject Of Admiral Walkers mission
is to the effect that he is inst tructed
to secure Pearl harbor for coaling
station for the Pacific squadron.
Concerning this rumor he said
Pearl harbor was designated a. a
coaling station in a treaty made with
the Sandwich Islands a number of
years ago, but il has never been
used, for the reason that there is a
reef across the mouth Of the harbor
covered by only five feet OF water,
and IL would require the expenditure
Of a considerable sum of money to
lit il for the purpose. There is an
appropriation Of S25O,OOO available
for the purpose. but that is all ! can
say"
UNUSUAL DISCRETIONARY POWERS.
In referring to Admiral Walkers
departure the Springfield Republi.
can says: "He is charged with the
mission Of determining the most
favorable locality inside Of Pearl
harbor for United States coaling
station, adapted Tor docks and
necessary shops for the general uses
Of the navy, aud Of entering into
negotiations for the purchase OF
such property. He has had con.
ference with the President as well
as 5, cret aries Gresham and Herbert,
aud departs with unusual discre-
tionary powers.
before leaving, the Admiral said
he expected To be back in Washing
ton in the course OF two or three
months. He had no idea that he
would have to 20 To Bebring Sea.
Naval officers were highly elated
this week when the object OF Admi-
raj Walkers mission became def.
nitely known. II Admiral Walker
takes possession OF points at the
mouth Of Pearl harbor, such as
would naturally be required for
fortifying and defending it, then
the construction placed upon his
action could only be that the United
States intended to protect il not
eventually y annex Hawaii"
COMMENTS ~ THE TIMES.
Commenting upon the approach
ing departure to Honolulu OF Ad.
miral Walker OF the American navy
to establish q naval station the Lon
don Times says: This seems to mark
a precipitate descent from the pin.
nacle of virtue on which President
Cleveland took his stand short
time ago. 1t is easy to underst and
the advantages that would accrue
To the United States navy from the
possession OF such an advantageous
place as Pearl harbor. The civilized
world has every reason to be con.
tented with the United States to pro-
tect those islands, even though such
protection seems Ia have no other
meaning than confirmation OF the
Provisional Government. What
seems perplexing is the con
trast between this concession to
sordid expediency and the lofty
resolution expressed by President
Cleveland hardly three months ago.
1t is so impossible To question the
correctness Of the canons of na-
tional morality then laid down by
him that one cannot help inquiring
what has since occurred to invali-
date them. Neither the House OF
Representatives nor the Senate has
repudiated his high moral princi-
pies. Possibly the recent electoral
successes Of the Republican party
have produced in the President s
mind an apprehension. A great re-