New-York tribune., 1894-01-07
TILE LITENT EROM H1WIM

1t is now reported from various sources that
another colossal blunder must be charged
against the Administration in the Hawailah
business This time it is said that Minister
Willis is the individual by or through whom
the blunder has been committed, and that II
consists in his having demanded in the name
Of the United States Government that the Fro
visional Government Of Hawaii should surren-
der TO the cX-Qucen in consideration OF her
tardy acceptance OF the conditions imposed by
President Cleveland. There are two reflections
which make it difficult 10 believe this report
The first is the improbability that Mr.. Willis, al
the time when he s alleged TO have instructed
President Dole and his colleagues TO withdraw.
was ignorant of that change in President Cleve-
lands state of mind which only week later
induced him to turn over 10 Congress the JoD
which he had botchcd. The second is the rcputa-
ton for intelligence and discretion which MI.
Willis has been generally thought to have
earned by his conduct at Honolulu prior to the
date of this alleged occurrence. But, on the
other hand it must be admitted that the Prcsi-
dent has not made it impossible to suppose that
he was capable of chcrishng secret eXpcctl-
tions Mt the very moment when he was trans
mitting to Congress Il message purportlng 10
reveal his views and intentions TO the utter
most
The truth is that in the light Of what has
actually occurred no snppositlon lmpu'lhS he"
acts of folly and mischief to the Administration
and its agents is incredible. And hence the
intense desire of the people for the facts ana
all Of them Yet. though it is known that the
Corwn brought dispatches which have eXcitcu
The deepest solicitude at the White House and
tbe State Department. Secretary Gresham
thinks il enough TO say that he has no news
for nuhjcation How much longer Is tins
miserable policy of mystery and subtcriusc 10
be continued? 1t is more disgraceiul 10 the
President and more offensive to the people 'ii'ih
any bunder which candor might reveal wouiu
he If the worst has not been told. let lis near
il now. If there is any consolation in the secret
DISPATCHES OF the Government, to deprive the
country of 1t is refinement Of cruelty
From the mass Of conjecture respecting the
course OF events in Hawaii one substantial 1act
stands out. Nobody appears to nave even con-
cciycd il possible that President Doie mas ap'"'
doned his trust whatever liberties MI "liis
NAV have taken. 1t is assumed as matter oi
course that nothing except conquest OF arms
could abolish the Provisional Government ana
restore the monarchy. And this assumption Is
well founded on ample proofs OF the courage
and fidelity of the men VINO nave auinihioNi'"
the affairs of the islands during the last year
Whatever may be doubtful their devotion ana
copacjty are certain. On that point we nave
ot last the official testimony Of Mr.. Willis him.
self TO ratify the verdict Of facts. To be sure II
WAS not needed, but it comes in time to shut
some foul mouths. On November ii Mr Wits
wrote to Secretary Gresham: Fortunately the
men at the head of the Provisional Government
are acknowledged by all sides to be OF the hsh
est integrity and public spirit. which, combined
with the large material interests they repre-
sent. WILL it is hoped cause them TO stahd
firmly and successfully for peace and good gov
ernment" Since these men are universally ac-
knowledccd in Hawaii to be of the highest III
tecrity and public spirit, from what source
comes the assumption. on which the whole cam
naipn of the Administration has been conducted
| and defended that they are wanton llars' op-
prcssors on large scale, fundamentally selfish
base and despicable?
II has no other source than the desperate
necessity Of a fragment of the American people,
in and out of office, who stopped TO employ
calumny in support OF a cause which the truth
!