The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1896-01-24
Kate Fields Interview with the
President.
SOMETHING OF PAST CABINETS.
The Government Solid for Annexa-
tion-No Discomfort Among OFF,
cials-Ideas on Form OF Govern
ment If Islands are Annexed.

HONOLULU, Dec. l0.-"Our sole
policy is annexation TO the United
States" Thus President Dole con-
cluded statement in the course OF an
interview relative to the intentions of
his Government.
Whoever meets Mr.. Dole realizes
that the noblest work of God is an
honest man. hear much criticism
from royalists of the Republic, but no
criticism of the President. He has
the respect Of all classes and deserves
it. Loath to express himself on pub
lie questions, President Dole has
kindly departed from his practice, and
L send across the ocean verbatim
report OF the most interesting con-
versation that throws light on an i'm
portant international question. My
first inquiries were based on a desire
to gain information relative to the
present domestic and material inter
ests of the islands.
Mr.. President, what, in your
opinion, is the present condition of
Hawaii?" 1 asked.
"Do you refer to religion?"
"No; we are not in a religious frame
of mind just now. I refer to the
prosperity, peace, and politics OF the
islands,"
Business is good. The prospects
for next year in connection with the
sugar crop are very favorable indeed.
Politically, there is no danger OF local
trouble or disorder. / mean local
trouble as distinguished from disorder
coming from foreign interference or
outside expeditions"
How does the present status COM
pare with that which preceded the
overthrow of the monarchy? People
have been talking about hard times
aud how beautiful things were under
the old regime"
The Monarchy Was Disturbing.
"The last year of the monarchy was
unsettled and disturbing on account
of the sitting of the Legislature, the
longest session we ever had It had a
disturbing effect on business. There
was anxiety and want Of condolences.
think in those particulars our pres.
ent condition is a great Improvement
on that Of last year.
'How many ministries did you
have during that timer"
"FOur or five"
WAS each ministry an improve
ment on its predecessor, or the re-
verse?"
"Each ministry was not an inn.
provement. In one or two cases it
was. The last ministry but one, /
think, was recognized as favorable to
quiet and business confidence. The
ministry that succee led il, the last
one, L think was regarded as an in
jury to the country. This is merely
my impression. OF course there were
partisan views, though think all
business men felt as did,"
"Why was the preceding ministry
turned out?"
because the queen did not like
them. They were established in the
latter part of the session, aud she still
had her plans in regard to the lottery
which she could not carry
with them in power. And.
she did not want them in
at the close of the session, because IL
they had remained in after the close
Of the session she could have done
to put them out until the
neAt seseioD. Oniy the Legislature
could do that
"Certain people say that the pres-
ent Government turned out a great
number OF natives and put white peo-
pie in Office in order to have adhsr-
ents. Is this true2"
Royalists Only Removed.
"The Government removed office
holders, white men and natives, who
were hostile to it, who were In favor
~ me restoration of the monarchy. I
don't know how many were turned
out, natives or white men. We acted
very slowly and cautiously In regard
to those matters. We found out defin-
ltely whether they were loyal to this
or not, and If not. we
turned hem out. There was no move
ment whatever against Hawaiians as
"Then you are accused of being an
"Our answer is in the constitution.
That states exactly what our system
ls. We have limited suffrage by
qualifications OF both property and
purely for the sake of
having M inteiiigeht electorate as
matter OF safety and as a decent ad-
OF the government
"Only that, aud nothing more?''
81 don'C think there is any founda-