The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-02-20
70 OFFENSE WAS MEANT.
Rather Surprising Effect of
DOIe'S Letter.
SATISFACTORY ALL AROUND NOW
Why independence Day Courtesies
Were Declined by the American
Minister to Hawaii.

batch of Hawaiian CORES pondence. in
Guiding the dispatches which arrived from
San Francisco February 10 and which
reached the State Department Saturday
morning. Aside from the portions al
ready published it opens with letter from
Willis TO Gresham telling of the celebra-
ton of the first anniversary of the Pro-
visional Government on January II, and
saying:
None OF the foreign representatives
participated in the observance of the day.
No salutes were fired from the American.
British or Japanese war vessels in port.
The representatives of foreign Govern
ments acted upon instructions from their
own Governments and upon their own
responsibility, with the distinct disavowal
on the part of the representatives of the
United States that its action vas either in
tended or desired TO control theirs"
Willis incioses editorials from the daily
papers of Honolulu severely rejecting Oh
Cleveland. Gresham and Blount, and ask
ing instructions on the subject.
The matter of chief interest in the cor
respondence is President Dole's letter to
Willis giving specifications as 10 the att
tude of the United States toward Hawaii,
and already published, 20 the effect that it
seemed 10 Dortend forcibe restoration,
and Wills reply, which Willis says will
end correspondence on the subject.
Willis begins his reply to Dole by say
ing: The only question of practical i'm
portance arising out of the presen. CORE
spondenee is whether United States war
vessels were at the time your letter was
written Objectionable to your Government.
that idea was in the subsequent note of
January Is withdrawn. thus, as l am
pleased to know, leaving their peaceful
and friendly purpose without question.
In addition TO the above were statements
which were, as [ thought. unjust. in that
the sole responsibility for the recent dis
turbed condition of this community was
attributed to me as the diplomatic agent
of the United States. In your last com
municatiOn you expressly disclaim any
intention of charging me or my Govern
meDt with intent TO produce the results or
conditions described in the communica-
,tion of December 81. Your first letter
contains a similar assurance. coupled with
the statement that your Government is
reluctant to believe this condition Of
affairs was contemplated or expected by
yourself or by the President of the United
States.
In view or the above, reply to your
last com municatiOn may not be necessary,
Bor would one be made except from the
desire that my Government may have the
good will and friendship Of the people for
whom you speak"
Continuing. Willis says he is not at lib
erty 10 discuss matters occurring before
his arrival, except to say they were not
given unfrlendly construction at the time.
Touching the interview published in
local paper November 16. quoted from
by Dole in his letter. Willis points out
that the facts were that on Novem ber Is
Damon. Minister of Finance. came to the
United States legation, saying there were
TumOrs Of an attack that night or the next
on the Government building, and the
guard had been increased. Willis told
Damon that the japanese Consul and
British Minister had requested him to IN
dertake the protection of their people
from apprehended mob violence, also
friends of the Queen. In view Of this
Willis said to Damon:
81 do not wish to interfere in any way
with your domestic affairs, except With
your approval. If you d o not object, how
ever. L will publicly announce that the
United States will cooperate to prevent
mob violence"
Damon expressed pleasure at Willis at
tiiude in the matter then and afterward.
Later Dole himself expressed approval
and satisfaction at what had occurred. It
was generally accepted as having had an
excellent effect. Willis adds: "The ac-
a We
the time as in The interest of peace. hu-
manity and good order. and will, after this
explanation, no longer, l hope, be consid-
cred evidence of hostility"
Willis denies that he said anything to
the delegation of the American League
November IL which could be construed as
unfriendly. Willis refers to the revoca-
tion on November 90 by the Provisional
Government of permission of United
States forces to land for drill. He SAYS no
reason was given and he knows of none,
but the revocation was respected, and no
armed United States soldiers have landed
since for that or any other purpose. lie
reminds Dole that under the constitution
the United States Congress alone can de-
clare war, and, as the President distinctly
announced he would only act within the
SOUStltul!OHdl IltDib5 OIL the executive
power" he precluded The idea OF using
force and affirmed his declaration of No.
vember l, delivered through Secretary
Gresham, not so do anything which
would cause injury to life or property of
any one at the islands,"
AS to visiting citizens, referred to in
Dole's letter, who witnessed drills and
other warlike preparations on board
United States vessels. Willis says: Their
apprehension would have been promptly
allayed by the information that what they
saw that Friday they could see any third
Friday in the month. it being the usual
squadron routine drill, viz: Boat drill.
IRE party, arm and away, requiring the
packing Of knapsacks and other prepare
tons which you detail"
Wills appends the letter from Admiral
Irwin. who says: ''No different prepare
tions for landing ever have been made
since l assumed command Of this SQUAD
ron than those made by my predecessor.
Admiral Skerrett, which were intended to