The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1895-05-11
MR. WILDER IS ON GUARD.
The Hawaiian Representative
Is Watching the Fill
busters.
He Does Not Think This Govern
ment VIII Interfere With
Them at Present.

Charles T. Wilder, Consul-General tor
Hawaii, is on the alert for tilibusterlng IN
surrectionists who are supposed to De
making preparations to invade the Para-
disc of the Pacific and overthrow the
present Government of Hawai-. In an
interview on the subject yesterday MI
Wilder said:
There have been rumors and rumors OF
filibustering expeditions for many months
past, but learned nothing definite until q
short time ago. At first paid no atten'
ton to these rumors, but l have since OBJ
tanned information which has caused me
to change my mind. Now l am convinced
that the rumors were not without founda-
ton. In fact, l know there is some
thing in the wind, but just what L know
am not now at liberty to tell. have re-
ceived instructions from my Government
to investigate the matter thoroughly, and
to take such steps as may be necessary to
prevent the shipment of guns and invaders
to the islands from American ports. VI
course as matter of official duty, as well
as one of sentiment and political faith,
shall do all in my power to prevent unIaw-
full shipments of arms and men from
United States ports. And am not IDLE III
"Have you any agents in the held Watch,
ing the suspected leaders of the proposed
1nsurrectionP" was asked.
Yes, l have three or four of them, " re-
piled Mr.. Wilder, land they are WIDE
awake and very sly. l know for GER
tainty who are the men that are working
up this tilibustering scheme. l cannot
give the names of the principals just now,
but / know who they are. | have no hest
in
of one of the agents of the tilibusterlng
chiefs. 1t is Francis l.. G. Harden, an adj
venturous young fellow, who is wholly
irresponsible. He has everything to gain
and nothing to lose. He was banished
from Hawaii last winter, and has royed
about on this Coast ever since. He re-
Gently went to the southern part of the
State On secret mission for the men who
are backing the insurrectionary move
ment. 1 have had him watched and l
have learned that he is up to mischief"
"What will you do in case that you have
positive proof of hostile movement on
the Coast?"
What will do? Well, 1 hardly know
Just what can do. My only course will be
to lay the matter before the United States
authorities and invoke the intervention OF
the neutrality law. But l don't expect
much, if anything, from the United States
Government In fact it has been shown that
this Government will not interfere or take
any action at law in any cases of violation
of the neutrality laws SO far as Hawaii is
concerned. Take the case of the schooner
Wahlberg for instance, and her captain,
Mathew Martin. There was not even the
shadow of a doubt that the Wahlberg
landed the rifles and ammunition, and
further, that Captain Wahlberg swore to a
false manifest of cargo.
When l tried to prosecute Martin fol
violating the neutrality laws l was in.
formed by the United States District At
torney for the Southern District of Cali
fornia, Mr.. Denis, that had no case un-
less it were to prosecute Martin for perjury
in swearing to manifest and then putting
in an additional cargo of arms. When ]
consulted United States District Attorney
Foote 1 was informed that there was no
case on any grounds against Captain Mar
tin. Hence, Martin and the Wahlberg
were released. If the insurrectionists sue
coed in leaving this Coast, with vessel of
light draft, they will have no trouble in
landing in Hawaii. There are hundreds
of coves and inlets and natural harbors on
ali of the islands-harbors that are I'M
guarded and from which guns, men, am
munition and other accoutrements of war
can be landed at any time with ease and
comparative SAFETY