The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1895-01-17
SENT TO CONGRESS.
ANOTHER INSTALLMENT OF HA-
WAIIAN CORRESPONDENCE.
This Last Chapter Discloses a Notable
Difference of Opinion Between the
Admiral and the American Minis
ter ut Honolulu.

- N"ii VI lhltItSt, lHuSHluCu us IL re-
vealS in one case II notable difference of
opinion between Admiral Walker and
United States Minister Willis, making a
clear issue between them. In the second
place, it disclosed an effort being made
by the British government. with the con-
sent of the Hawaiian authorities, to Sc
cure the lease of an island of the Ha-
Wallan group to be used as Il cable sta
ton. The issue between the admiral and
the minister is made plaa by the follow
ing extract from letter from Secretary
Gresham to Minister Willis, dated Aug.
81, and the minister's reply:
A very remarkable dispatch from Rear
Admiral Walker, dated AT Sea, Aug.
H. and reporting events at Honolulu up
to the date of his departure on the 10Th,
has been communicated to me by the sec
rotary of the navy for my information. L
enclose copy for your perusal The ap-
prehensions of the admiral do not seem
to have been shared by you sufficiently to
warrant your reporting the petition for
the retention of the "Phila delphia," which
was addressed to you as well as to the
naval commanders, and it is trusted that
your reported concurrence in that officers
views will be found due to some misap-
prehension. / am, etc,
w. @. GRESHAM.
Mr. Willis reply to Mr. Gresham is
dated at Honolulu, Sept. 30, and reads as
follows:
have the honor to acknowledge the
receipt of your No. Al of the 31st ultimo,
lnclosing dispatch of Rear Admiral
Walker of Aug. H.
After lengthy statement seriously re-
tiecting upon the late British minister
and the commanding officer of the Cham
pion." and expressing such apprehensions
touching the political situation here, ms
necessitated the retention of the Philadel-
phia, the admiral in the 18th paragraph
says: Before reaching this conclusion
ito postpone the Philadelphia's departure)
l consulted with the United States min
lister, whose views entirely conceded with
my own"
Your dispatch indicates that these words
Oh the admiral have been given a wider
meaning than could have been intended
by him. A brief recital of the facts may
therefore be proper. On the 9th day of
August l was informed by the admiral
that he would leave with the PHILADELPHIA
on the Sth. On the 9th the British min
lister, Major Wodehouse, having been sue
ceeded by MIR. Halves, made his farewell
official visit to this legation, dur
ing which he mentioned the fact
that the Champion had intended to
leave on that day, but some of the English
residents had become nervous when they
heard that the Philadelphia was also TO
leave, and yielding to their request the
Champion would remain until the Hya-
cinth arrived. Upon the same morning |
made parting call on the officers of the
Philadelphia, when the admiral told me
mat several citizens had expressed their
10 1nf Dptt,,,., 4 II.
before the arrival of the Charleston, which
vessel was daily expected. He also eX-
pressed some surprise at the change of
plans OF the Champion. In view of these
1acts he asked my opinion in regard to
the detention of the Philadelphia. | re-
piled that as the steamer Australia was
due here August II at 8 a. m. which
would probably bring correct advices as TO
the Charlestons movements, | saw no
reason, if not in conflict with his orders.
las to the nature of which | was not in
formed, [ saw no reason why the Phila-
delphia should not wait until then. When
the Australia arrived | Immediately no.
tilted the admiral that no news warrant
ing his further stay had been received.
lie left the next morning.
1t is this conversation and the unim-
portant result following it, with which the
admiral connects me. The statement as
to the conduct and sentiments of the
British cruiser, and especially as to their
purpose to land troops for political adj
vantage, and the dangers resulting there
from to American interests ] cannot CON
firm, either from personal knowledge
or reliable information. If called upon
to express an opinion / should be con
strained to say that during the past six
months, and especially since the procla-
nation of the republic, the presence or
absence of the British war vessels here
ought to have been regarded with in
difference by our government as it is now
by this government
ALBERT Ii. WILLIS.
The projected lease of the Hawaiian
Island as cable station is explained by
Minister Willis in several letters. begin
ming Oct. Is. In the first letter Mr.. Will
lis says that during the past week nego-
tiations had been pending between the
Hawaiian government and the repre-
an ocean cable between Canada and Aus
tralia touching at Necker island or at
Honolulu. He did not think that an
agreement would be reached at present
owing to the clause in our treaty with
Hawaii prohibiting the cessation Of any of
the islands TO any foreign government
without our consent.
On Nov. = the minister tells of the sue
cess of the full ticket of the American
party without excitement and Of the
arrival of 800 japanese immigrants to
labor on the sugar plantations under
contract.
On Dec 3 the cable proposition seems
to have taken full shape, for on that date
Mr.. Willis writes, recalling his former
reference to the subject and stating that
the Hawaiian government is of the opin-
ion that ii is stopped from considering
the proposition by the British commits
sioners by article of the reciprocity
treaty between Hawaii and our govern
ment.
In the note to which Mr.. Willis refers.
from Mr.. Hatch the latter explains that
the British propositions involve the use
Of one of the uninhabitcd islands be-
longing to the republic. viz, Necker
Island French Frigate Shoals or Nihoa
Bird Island. as Il cable station in con-
sideration of such use and such sub
sidy as might be agreed upon, and the
connection of Honolulu TO the main line
by branch cable to the island which
might be selected The minister eXpa-
tate at length upon the importance of
the proposed cable to Hawaii. The OPP
portunity now offered, he says. is one
to which his country cannot be indif-
ferent, if it can be taken up consistently
with treaty obligations, and if no more
desirable scheme is presented.
As the proposition is one in which the
British government is directly OF indi-
.,,fz N.1 NJ nff.h hn