Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1894-12-20

What serious light. TO thoroughly apprc-
ciate whlch II is necessary to under
SAND the attitude. and ambition OF
Major Wodehouse.
Z. lie had been at Honolulu nearly so
years, ana his constant struggle had
oeen to set English influence against
american influence and make it pre-
dominate. and as an essential part OF
ms policy 10 maintain the monarchy.
me successful revolution and the es-
,auHsninent OF a republic. during the
LAST year OF his diplomatic service. upon
the eve OF his retirement, was an evil
uence OF failure which made him bit
ter ana hostile. Although holding the
position OF British minister, and trans
acting diplomatic business with tho gov
eminent. he had been pronounced
ana partisan royallst. 1t IL currently
believed that he had been In constant
secret communication with Lliluokalni
ahu entirely in the confidence OF the
royahst leaders and he had certainly
7 1851 no opportunity 10 einbarrass the
present government disregarding the
courtesles and amenities due from one
IN ms position. But for his impending
| retirement mRtters would have prob
any come, some time aso. 10 an issue
which would have resulted In his re-
call or dismissal.
g. The commanding officer OF the
champion had the same interests and
views and was quito ready to sup
port his minister.
y. The unusual circumstances present.
ed the situation In the following: The
chances Of any disturbances taking
place through the action OF the royal
ISIS after the departure OF the Phlla-
delphia We're considerably Increased by
TINS significant detention OF the Cham
pion, Should any such disturbances
tate place, 1 believed the British min
ister would seize upon any prcxteNt.
however slight, to land the Champions
force, and that once on shore. thelr
influence would be to encourage tho
foyalists. and to increase or prolong
the difficulty. Should such action re-
suit in the restoration OF the mon
archy, English influence would hence
forth control with Lllluokalanl,
10. There Is another consideration
which bears upon this point. The Brit
ish are very much in the habit OF re-
tanning any foot hold once obtained:
there is much talk at present or "A ca
BILE between the Pacific colonies. 70
land only on British soil. Should an
English military force be established
on shore at Honolulu, TO preserve order,
there might not readily be found the
opportune moment for its withdrawal
Whstever might be the Willingness OF
the home government TO yield 10 the
claims OF the United States, strong
colonial pressure would be brought to
bear upon 1t TO oppose these claims,
II should not be forgotten In this COM
nection that Pearl harbor offers atratc-
gically and otherwise the finest site
for a naval and eealiHs station to be
found in tho whole Pacific,
H. Although | had fun confidence In
the republics ability 10 restore order
and regarded the chance OF an uprising
OF the royalists, even under the favor
able circumstances mentioned above. as
very remote, l did not feel that even
such remote chance should be taken.
and ] decided 10 postpone the phila-
delphia's departure at least until the
arrival Of the Australian mail on the
18th instant. Before reaching .his con-
olusion l consulted with tbs United
States minister. whose vlews Ioineldcd
entirely with my own, and | was fur
Their confirmed in my opinion by the
receipt OF a petition 10 keep the philn-
dclphia ut Honolulu, r. med by several
prominent merchants and business men.
representing large American moneyed
interests. The petition Is enclosed.
u, Before the arrival Of the Austral-
ian mail Wodehouse had been relieved
by Captain a. S. Hayes, who came In
the steamer Arawh from his late post
at Tahiti, and who has the title of
British commissioner and consul-gen-
eral. The advent OF new man who
had no other policy than the policy OF
dis government and who WAS not In
volved in local politioa changed the sit
uation again, and feeling that the risk
involved was then considerably dim
inlshed l left Honolulu on the i2th.
IS, It Is a fact that should not be
lost sight OF that English Influence is
always opposed TO American influence
IN the Hawaiian Islands, II ~ colonial
and local in Its character, Influenced
largely. II not principally, by trade
iealoualcs, but It 10 a very potent fac
tor. and Is strong enough to eventually
influence the attitude OF the British
diplomatic representatives, and TO have
/ lts effect upon British naval officers
who remain there for any Length OF
time. The existence Of this antagOnlsm
ana OF Its influences should always be
taken Into account. Their expression
was notable during the last few days
OF my stay at Honolulu. especially be-
fore Major Wodehouse ceaged TO be
minister. The English royallsts were
! equally clated at the impending depart
ure OF the Philadelphia, leaving the
Champion in port, while the supporters
Of the government regarded the sittia-
ton with regret Many women ospe-
cially were emphatic in their npprc-
henslon. fearing a revival Of former
anxiety.
I IL. Nnen ltlI honolulu tue tnAtn-
/ pion was to remain until the arrival
OF the Hyacincth, which keeps an Eng
iish ship continually at that port I'm
der these circumstances an American
ship should also be kept there all tho
time. While | would not hesitate In
the least to leave the Islands entirely
alone. deem It unsafe to leave them
/ under British protection. II jeOphrdizca
/ our influence there and might lead 10
| an awkward complication. Tho posi-
ton OF the United States as expressed
| by the late senate resolution is SUM
GENTLY defined, and IN Its relation 10
other powers ~ clearly Understood by
both natives and foreigners In Hawaii,
but that position Involves responsibili-
ties as well as rights, and n we are not
at hand TO perform the duties OF our
virtual protectorate no reproach can
attach to another power which, ia the
event OF disturbance, stops IN and
takes our place. II would have a
strong argument in its favor. and that
British sentiment In the past would
eagerly embrace such an opportunity
and would make the most OF It's con-
sequence have little doubt
Is. Had the departments orders given
me discretion IN tile matter ! should
have left the Philadelphia az Homo
lulu and returned TO San Francisco with
my staff by mall steamer, sailing on
the arrival of tho Charleston by the
18th: but as they were entirely unquaii-