Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1894-02-22


| CHICAGO, Feb. 16.-William Preston
Harrison's Honolulu letter to the Times con
tains a long interview with President Dole
| Mr.. Dole said:
THE Chinese and Japanese engaged in
legitimate enterprises are without doubt in
favor of good. pure and honest government.
| Like business men of other nationalticS,
they would favor annexation or a good self
government for the islands in case of such II
decision. Gamblers, smugglerS and thos
interested in lotteries would prefer a return
of the old monarchy.
| A constitution has not been drafted fur
Their than rough drafts drawn by members
of the present government and others in
their individual capacity. If Congress re.
jects the annexation treaty II republic will
undoubtedly be established. but even then we
will not act hastily. We shall wish to have
| representative features in case of the estab-
lshlnent of a republic and in the meantime
! the provisional government will continue to
act as at present. The constitution will not
be proclaimed until we receive final advices
from Congress. The elections. think, will
not be held for some time after. The bust
ness community as rule are satisfied with
our present government. l think there is 10
danger of an uprising
The new constitution will embrace a pop
ular form of government, and that is what
the natives are clamoring for. The conSti-
tuition would embrace a clause making it I'M
constitutional to return to or advocate mon
archy.
The local papers state that President
Cleveland is greatly outraged at my letter
to Minister Willis. But look upon the ac-
counts as unofficial, and therefore place no
credence in them. There was nothing in the
letter of specifications to bring about such
feeling. our representative at Washington
has not referred in any way to the matter
and our relations with Minister Willis at
present are most cordial
y demand to Ictract the letter would now
be illogical. as the original objection raised
by Mr.. Willis has been subsequently waived
and our latest correspondence has been of a
friendly nature. No insult was intended
and none should be accepted The state of
affairs necesstated the information from the
American minister whether his instructions
called upon him to use force in his efforts to
restore the ex-queen, and pressed for an lin
mediate answer
Property interests which we were bound
to protect Were ut stake Citizens were III
state of great alarm and we were forced
to large expenditure in preparing for de-
fence
1t has also been stated that You will be
asked to Withdraw certain statements and
charges and in the event of your non com
pliance that all diplomatic negotiations be
tween the two countries will be cut off -
Il look upon that as Il canard. ] have
nothing to withdraw, have no intention of
Withdrawing amy statements ] have made
but cannot believe that the administration
at Washington would resolve upon such "A
step as to cease diplomatic negotiations with
us. Russia has recognized the present gov
eminent as government de jure. All other
governments must recognize us as a de facto
government.
Ontil the new credentials to the French
commissioner shall have arrived | do not
know what position France intends to as
sumo. II Congress assumes the attitude
that the United States will wash her hands
OF the entire affair, leaving the Hawaiian
Islands to take care Of themselves. but look
ing toward interference on the part of
any foreign power as an act unfriendly
toward the United States. we should
then feel that we could do as we pleased.
We would not recognize the right of the
United States to dictate to us. We would
feel at liberty 10 deal with any foreign
power as we may see fit We feel that we
nave made frank proposal to the United
States for II political union. If She refuses
we feel at liberty to look elsewhere for tho
same, or take any other course if we should
so decide. y
How about the ceSsion of Pearl Har-
Dor to the United States - The treatvmade
with the United States expires the latter
part of this year. Upon the expiration of
That treaty we need only give II months no. |
tice to the United States to vacate. after
which We could feel free to cede il To any |
foreign power. | know that American
statesmen unoffcally have questioned this |
right, looking upon the cession as perman-
ent one. but think il was Secretary BAY
ard who, in his official capacity. took the |
ground that all obligations on our part ends |
with the treaty now in force
HAS any proposal as vet been made to I,
the provisional government relative to an |
neXation or protectorate being offered in |
case the United States should withdraw all |
Interference in your local affairs
The only proposition made was by Can |
ada, looking toward n closer commercial |
union between the two countries -