The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1896-05-30
MINISTER WILLIS
Says the Hawaiians Feel Cordial Toward
This Government.
Washington Star.

Minister Willis, the United States rep
resentatiyesat Honolulu, is In Washing
ton. He will remain here until about
the middle of next week, when he will
go to his home in Kentucky. He was at
the State Department. today, and saw
Assistant Secretary RockhilL. Secretary
Olney was not in, and the interview with
him was therefore postponed until Mon
day. After seeing the Secretary, Minis
ter Willis will call or the President.
Minister Willis has just recovered from
serious attack of pneumonia, which
laid him up for fourteen days on the
Pacific coast, but he is now fully recoy-
cred.
THE HA WAIIANS' FRIENDLY
FEELING.
. He talked freely. this morning with a
representative of The Star, who called on
him. "The feeling of the Hawaiian peo-
pie and the government" he said, sis
not only friendly and amiable toward US,
but is very cordial. My residence in
Hawaii from the time of my going thore
to my departure on leave of absence has
been very agreeable and pleasant, with
o ut anything Earring or disoordant, ex-
Dept for about week during the excite
ment Of the revolution. ! could not de-
sire moro oord1ality and manifestation
OF friendly feeling than I have received
fr ON both the citizens and the govern
ment of Hawaii. Everything is peaceful,
beautiful and delightful on :he island.
The legislature was about closing up its
work when left, and they accomplished
several important things. The immigra-
ton question and q number of other
questions are of great Importance, but
the government has manifested wisdom
and capacity in dealing with the questions
as they arise. The islands are enjoying
period of phenomenal prosperity, and
the people seem contented. There is no
talk and apparently no thought Of revo-
luton Ur disorder. When people have
money In their pockets and plenty to eat
they are not apt to be discontinued and
to grumble. The immense crops and the
high price of sugar have made money
abundant.
sis there still talk of the restoration of
Queen Liliuokalanif"
"None whatever. There is no talk and
apparently no thought of the restoration
of the queen. To show how far this is
from the public mind, the government
has granted pension of 50, 900 year to
Kaiulani, the heir of Liliuokalani. I'm
doubtedly suitable pension would have
been provided for Liliuokalani but for
the revolution in which 1t appeared that
she was very much involved. No, there
docs not appear to be any dissatisfaction
of it's overthrow"
sis there any indication of resentment
toward this government on account of our
former attitude?'
"None at all. On the contrary, the feel
ing toward the United States is most
friendly. I, as the representative of my
country, have received nothing but the
warmest hospitality, They are cordial,
resentments. The delightful climate and
the disposition Of the people seem to
make them speedily forget whatever has
irritated them. Their amiability domi-
Mates"
''Is there anything in the talk INDUCED
in some time ago about danger to the
| government from the JapaDeseT'
II think not. The Japanese partioi-
pate in the general prosperity of the
country and are therefore contented, as
are the people. AS long as this prosper
lty continues there is not apt to be any
complaint of the government. audit is
likely to last long enough for the govern
ment to be so well established as to main
tain itself in the presence OF any hard
times or disasters that may come along
in the course of events"
Minister Willis said that his departure
from Honolulu was only for vacation
to enable him to visit his home, and that
he had no intention other than returning
to his post at the close of his leave of alb
Senoe.
but they are talking about Dolninat
ing you for Congress in your DISTRICT
Eyes, have discovered this upon my
arrival in this country, but 1t hao moth
ing to do with my vacation. l had no
thought of it, and do not, now know how
much seriousness there is in it. / shall
have to say to you rs I did to a represen-
tative of the papers in my district who
was sent to meet nee at Chicago that l
have not thought over the matter, do not
know how general the feeling may be in
favor of my nomination and shall have
to reserve any decision on the matter I'M
til have been home. Whom l get home
l shall come To q decision as speedily as
possible in justice to any aspirants there
may be for the nomination. l am told
that the newspapers in my district are
quite unanimous in mentioning my name
in this connection and it Is of course
gratifying. ] do not know what / shall
| DO. AS have said, have had no inten-
! ton other than TO return to my post"