The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1895-05-31


Call of May 18th, Charles T. Wild
er, Consul-General for Hawaii, is
on the alert for f1libustering insur-
rectionists who are supposed to be
making preparations to invade the
Paradise of the Pacific and over
throw the present Government Of
Hawaii. In an interview on the
subject yesterday, Mr.. Wilder said :
There have been rumors and
rumOrs of filibustering expeditions
for many months past, but [
learned nothing definite until a
short time ago. At first [ paid no
attention to these rumors, but [
have since obtained information
that has caused me to change my
mind. Now [ am convinced that
the rumors were not without found
alton. In fact, [ know there is
something in the wind, but just
what [ know [ am not now at lib
erty to tell. [ have received in
structions 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. Of course,
as matter Of official duty as well
as one of sentiment and political
faith, [ shall do all in my power to
prevent unlawful shipments of
arms and men from United States
ports. And I am not idle in the
premises, can assure you"
Have you any agents in the
field watching the suspected lead
ers of the proposed instruction"
was asked.
"Yes, [ have three or four of
them," replied Mr.. Wilder, and
they are wide-awake and very sly.
[ know for certainty who are the
men that are working up this fill
clustering scheme. I cannot give
the names of the principals just
now, but [ know who they are.
have no hesitation, however, in
mentioning the name of one of the
agents of the filibustering chiefs.
It is Francis L. G. Harden, an ad-
venturous young fellow, who is
wholly irresponsible. He has every
thing to gain and nothing to lose.
He was banished from Hawaii last |
winter, and has roved about on this |
coast ever since. He recently went |
to the southern part of the State on
a secret mission for the men who |
are backing the insurrectionary |
movement. | have had him watch
ed, and [ have learned that he is
up to mischief"
what will you do in case that
you have positive proof of a hostile
movement on the Coast"
What will do? Well, hardly
know just what [ can do. My
only course will be to lay the mat
ter before the United States au-
thorities and invoke the interven-
ton of the neutrality law. But I
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
Whalberg for instance, and her
captain, Mathew Martin. There
was not even the shadow of doubt
that the Wahlberg landed the rifles
and ammunition, and further that
Captain Wahlberg swore to false
manifest of cargo.
when | tried to prosecute Martin
for violating the neutrality laws I
was informed by the United States
District Attorney for the Southern
District Of California, Mr.. Denis,
that had no case unless it were
to prosecute Martin for perjury in
swearing to a manifest and then
putting in an additional cargo of
arms. When I consulted United
States District Attorney Foote I
was informed that there was no
case on any grounds against Cap
tain Martin. Hence, Martin and
the Wahlberg were released. If the
succeed in leaving
this Coast, With q vessel of light
draft, they will have no trouble in
landing in Hawaii. There are hun
dreds of coves and inlets and nat
ural harbors on all of the islands-'
harbors that are unguarded and
rom which guns, men, ammunition
and other accoutrements of war can
Do landed at any time with ease