The record-union., 1894-06-04
Contest Between a Hawaiian
Steamer and British Cruiser
TO HOIST A FLAG ON AN ISLAND
IN THE PACIFIC.
No Sign of Cessation in the Influx of
Gold to Europe-Reports From SAL
vador Indicate that the Rebels are
Gaining Ground - Disorders Con-
tinue at Sofia.
Special to the REcoRD-UNroN.

Special to the RECoRD-UNIoN.
HONOLULU, May 26.-The steamer Iva
lani, one of the fleet of island vessels,
sailed last evening on what was at first
deemed most mysterious errand. 1t
was discovered later, however, that the
little steamer was engaged in a race with
the British cruiser Champion, the prize
being an island that has not as yet been
claimed by any country.
On the steamer Warrimoo, that arrived
here from British Columbia few days
ago, was passenger named Reid, who,
as soon as the vessel was docked, claimed
an audience with the Executive Council.
During this conference he announced
the fact that the English Government in
tended to lay cable from Australia to
the United States in the near future, but
did not intend to touch at Hawaii. The
plan was to have the connecting point
between Australia and America at john
son Island, small piece of land slightly
to the north of Hawaii.
AS soon as the Provisional Government
became aware OF the plans OF the English
it was decided to send an officer Of the
Government to the island with the power
to raise the Hawaiian flag over it, thus
securing Hawaii chance to have the
proposed cable touch here.
At the time the Iwalanl started the
Champion was preparing to leave. The
little steamer had an hours start, and as
it is one of the swiftest vessels in the
island service it will have good chance
to reach the island first and thus defeat
the plans of those on board the Champion,
who are understood to wish to elevate the
English flag over the little island and
thus control the Pacific cable system.
r. w. Irwin, the Hawaiian Minister to
Japan. arrived here unexpectedly on the
18th inst. with important dispatches to
the Government in regard to the fran
chise for the Japanese residents here.
The Mikado threatens to withdraw The
Japanese laborerS now here and to re-
strict further immigration If his subjects
are not given the voting franchise in this
country.
Since this has been made public the
planters have made strenuous efforts to
obtain Portuguese laborers from the
Azores, and commission to this end Will
probably be sent by to-day's steamer to
Portugal.
The Chinese have also claimed the
franchise. and have petitioned the Gov
ernment to that effect.
The Constitutional Convention meets
irving daily from the other islands.
Work at Pearl harbor is progressing
rapidly. Borings have been made all
over the proposed entrance to depth OF
thirty feet, and not sign of rock OF coral
encountered. Lieutenant Woods. who is
in charge of the engineering party, has
said that the harbor bids tair to be the
finest one in the world, in case the
United States decides to establish naval
station there.
E. Suhr, one of the original Committee
of Safety in 1893, yesterday resigned his
position in the Councils. His position
has not been filled.
A few days ago the Executive Com
mittee of Hui Hawaii Aloha Alma waited
upon Minister Willis with a memorial
protesting against the action of the Pro-
visional Government in calling a Consti-
tutional Convention. Mr.. Willis was ev-
idenrly reluctant to accept the document.
He told the native gentlemen represent
ing the committee that he kept his Gov
ernment fully informed of all the facts In
the Hawaiian situation, and there was
really no necessity for their Intervention
upon their own behalf.
John q. Bush. one of the brightest and
shrewdest of the half-casr Hawaiians, a
former Minister OF tho Crown, the EN-
bassador to Samoa in 1885, a member of
the latest Legislature, replied to the Min
ister's objections. He said that it was all
right for the United States representative
to keep his Government informed, but the
matter " as vital one for the Hawaiian
people, and the executive of this repre-
sentative body desired to place their
solemn protest formally on record to the
American Government and people.
Minister Willis wilted, and received
from the committees hands the memo
rial.
Rev. Mr.. Twombly, a divine from Bos-
ton, who has been visiting the islands for
the past four months and has been acting
as pastor of the Central Union Church
for that period, preached his farewell SER
mon last Sunday, May 10th. 1t was a
political effort from start to finish, and he
lauded the Provisional Government to
the skies. The Royalist part of the con-
gregation were disgruntled and the BWtle-
tin criticised the sermon strongly. The
Government organ (the STAR, however,
printed the sermon verbatim, and a con-
troversy has set the whole city agog. and
the end is not yet. The Rev. Twombly
leaves to-day. May 26th, for San Fran
cisco per steamer Australia.
Thirteen sailors deserted from the
United States steamer Marion during the
past two weeks. Ten dollars reward is
offered for the return of every b,uejacket.
Six have been returned so far. The other
seven are still missing.
John I. Waterhouse. prominent mer-
chant of Honolulu, has offered to donate
$1,000 toward the construction of an cleo
trio railroad here, the proposed line to
run up the Nuuanu Valley. Several lo-
cal men are looking over the ground and
estimating the cost.
BALIMoRE, June 3.-Victor Smith, an
attorney, claims that should the English
cruiser reach Johnson or Neckar Island
= - q ~ IL
liable to ensue. He says that an
American discovered the island in 1885,
that a question of ownership between
Hawaii and the United States was de-
cided by the Supreme Court of the United
States in favor of the United States, and
that it is now owned by an American
phosphate company.
GOLD GOING TO EUROPE.