Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-03-13
WILLIS TO LEAVE HAWAII.
Comment ut Honolulu on the Minis
ter's Intention.

Comment ut Honolulu ON the Minis
ter's Intention.
SAN FRANCISCO, March 13-A special
from Honolulu to a local paper says:
United States Minister Willis has an
nounced his Intention of leaving Hawaii
April II. This statement made in the face
of the minister's recent denunciation Of a
similar report. is construed and generally
believed to mean that he will not return
Many people are of the opinion that the
American legation will be closed for the
. remainder of President Cleveland's term
in order to get even with the Dole regime
for eriticising the action of Minister Willis
in refusing to acknowledge the January
celebration. Mr.. Willis departure is looked
upon as the only recourse left. as he has
been pei soma non grata from the moment
OF his arrival. There has been more or less
talk of the possibility of the Hawaiian gov
eminent giving Minister Wills his pass
ports. and it is fair to surmse that Willis
IS leaving to prevent such a contingency.
What Is Said at the State Departme nt
1t is said at the State Department that
there is no special significance in the home
coming of Minister Willis He has been
at his post constantly for two years and
desires to come home to look after his
private business affairs. He made appli-
cation for leave of absence for that pur-
pose some time ago. and his applca ton
was granted. No one at the State De-
partment will discuss the question as to
Mr. Wills personal relations with the
Hawaiian government or the prospect of
his return to that country. further than 10
say that there is no known reason why
he should not go back unless he prefers
to return to private life. The intimation
that the United States legation will be
closed during the remainder of President
Clevelands administration is not credited
In In. official , circles; On the departure Of
Minister Willis Consul General Mills will
undoubtedly be made charge d'affaires,
and he can continue to act in that capacity,
in the event that Minister Willis does not
return to Honolulu. until his successor
shall have been appointed.
Mr. Willis IS probably no more persona
non grata' just at this particular time
than he has been ever since he asked Pres-
ident Dole to resign his office at the head
OF the government, and replace the dis
reputable queen on her opera bouffe throne
While his presence in Honolulu is hardly
agreeable to the government he tried to
destroy at the bidding of President Cleve-
land. 1t is not considered likely that he will
De given his passports, inasmuch as the
government has no desire to further strain
the relations with the United States
TIE statement that Minister Willis has
been granted leave of absence is confirmed
by the following special dispatch from
Honolulu:
United States Minister Willis and fam
1ly VIII leave April 10 for the United States
The minister will go first to Washington,
and from there to his old home in Louis
VILE With regard to the matter of his &C.
parture MIR. Willis said: I have been grant
ed sixty days leave of absence This Is
accorded to every American representative
OF the United States each year Hereto
fore have been kept so busy that 1 have
been unable to avail myself of the fur
Tough. My departure from Honolulu has no
political significance whatever
When asked If circumstances might not
arise which would prevent his return, the
minister said: of course, such is not i'm
possible. However, 1 expect to return in
two months. I am going for rest, which
l feel I greatly need"