Hawaii holomua = Progress. [volume] (Honolulu) 1893-1895, 1894-12-29

Minister and transacting diplo-
matte business with the govern
ment de facfo, he had been a
pronounced and partisan ROYAL
list. 1t is currently believ-
ed that lie had been con-
stantly In secret comma
nication with the ex-Queen and
entirely in the confidence of the
Royalist leaders, and be had
certainly lost no opportunity to
elnbarrass the present govern
ment, disregardipg the courtesies
and amenities due from one IN
his position. But for his i'm
pending retirement matters would
have probably come. some time
ago, to an issue which would
have resulted in his recall or dis
missal.
8. The commanding officer of
the Champion had the same in
terests aud views and was quite
ready to support his Minister.
9. The unusual circumstances
presented the situation in the
following light: The chances of
any disturbance taking place
through the action of the Royal
lists after the departure of the
Philadelphia were considerably
increased by the significant de-
tention of the Champion. Should
any such disturbance take place
it is believed the British Minis
ter would seize upon any pretext,
however slight, to land the Cham
pion's force, and that once on
shore their influence would be to
encourage the Royalists and to
increase or prolong the difficulty.
Should such action result in the
restoration of the monarchy Eng
lish influence would henceforth
control with Liliuokalani.
Although [ had full confidence
in the Republics ability to pre-
serve 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 a remote
chance should be taken, and l
decided to postpone the Phila-
delphia's departure at least until
the arrival of the Australia's mail
on the 18th inst. Before reach
ing this conclusion 1 consulted
with the United States Minister,
whose views conceded entirely
with my own. and l was further
confirmed in my opinion by the
receipt Of a petition to keep the
Philadelphia at Honolulu. sign
ed by several prominent mer-
chants and business men repre-
senting large American moneyed
interests. This petition is en-
closed.
IA. When l left Honolulu the
Champion was to remain until
the arrival of the Hyacinth which
plan keeps an English ship con-
tinually at this port Under
these circumstances an American
ship should also be kept there all
the time. While l would not
hesitate in the least to leave the
islands entirely alone | deem it
unsafe to leave them under Brit
ish protection. 1t jeorpardizes
our influences there and might
lead to an awkward complication.
The position of the United States
as expressed by the late Senate
resolution, is sufficiently defined
an in its relation to other Powers
is clearly understood by both
natives and foreigners in Hawaii;
but that position involves respon
sibilities as we'll as rights. and if
we are lat hand to perform
the duties of our virtual protec-
torate no reproach can attach to
another Power which, in the
event of a disturbance, steps in
and takes our place. 1t would |
have strong argument In its |
favor, and that-British sentiment |
in the Pacific would eagerly en-
brace such an opportunity and
would make the most of its con-
l have little doubt.