The San Francisco call., 1897-06-07
SOME ALARM FELT AT
HONOLULU.
1t Is Said the Invaders Will
Seize the Receipts From
the Custom-House.
DoLE's GOVERNMENT TO OFFER
RESISTANCE.
United States or England
Interferes.

HONOLULU, HAWAII. May 31.-The
Japanese imbroglio is the all-absorbing
topic at present, even 10 the exclusion of
the fate of the reciprocity treaty in the
Senate and the tariff on sugar.
The Coptic arrived from Yokohama this
morning, having made the trip in 8 days
hours and 45 minutes, beating the Doric's
best time by half an hour and capturing
the Occidental and Oriental Company's
record, besides coming within two hours
of the world record, made by the China.
She brought voluminous bundle of cor
respondence for Minister ShiIhamura,
some of which must have been of the
highest importance, for Immediately after
reading his dispatches he was driven to
the executive building, where he was
closeted with Minister Cooper for some
time.
Both officials were promptly interviewed
by representatives of the local press after
the conference, but declined to talk. Min
lister Cooper denied that any papers of
any Importance had been filed with him
on behalf of the japanese Government,
while the Japanese Minister intimated
that the contrary was the case. 1t is
understood here that there is very great
i'll feeling between Japan's representative
and Minister Cooper on account OF the
Iatter's disclosure of the nature of his an
swer to Japan's demands to the local
press, which unfortunately was made
public before Minister Shimamura re-
ceived his official copy. THE CALL corre-
spondent learns. however, that Minister
Cooper has fully justified his action by
producing for Minister Shimamura's in
spection copies of Japanese papers con-
tanning the full text of Japan's demands
on Hawaii, of date weeks previous to their
presentation to the Hawaiian Government.
So far it would appear that honors are
even, though Minister Shimamura is very
sore over what he terms undipIomatic
treatment.
In the meantime the tension over the
present state of affairs is increasing and a
general feeling of interest is beginning to
permeate the community, similar to that
which prevailed here during the time the
late Minister Willis was said to be in
triguinG for the restoration of Liliuokalani
at the behest of President Cleveland.
While there IS no apparent cause for
alarm the uncertainty of the outcome is
beginning 10 make itself felt and cause
timid people to commence to worry and
lie awake nights. If there is any tangible
reason for this alarm it must arise from
The very lofty talk OF the Japanese here.
which is found in all classes, not even ex.
Guiding the innermost diplomatic circle to
be found around Minister Shimamura's
festive board. Leading Japanese here
openly say that the next move on Japan's
part will be TO send another warship with
an ultlmatum demanding the immediate
pay ment by Hawaii of the sum demanded
by way of indemnity. In case of the re-
tusal the Custom-house is 10 be taken
possession 'of and the amount collected
from the receipts.
This is not expected to be accomplished
without some resistance from Hawaii.
which will give the Japanese the excuse
they need for taking possession of the
islands. They say the United States NAV
protest but will not dare to interfere, and
that once in possession of Hawaii no
power on earth can dispossess them.
This is not idle talk, but is the sub
stance of the feeling the japanese IN Ha-
waii are imbued with. When told they
have no arms they retort: There are
plenty on our ships, all ready for u.s." and
that this is no idle threat was found out
when the Naniwa came here before with
her hold full of small arms, ready for dis
tribution when needed. When It is taken
into consideration that fully two-thirds
of the Japanese in Honolulu have seen
military service at home it must be con-
ceded there is some reason for alarm over
the possible outcome.
The Coptic brin IS word that a second
man-of-war is already on the way here
from Japan, and some of the japanese
here claim to have private inform alton
that third has been ordered to the scene.
The vessel now on the way is the Taxi
chino, the same one that came down here
in 1894 after the Naniwa. Similar infor-
nation also comes from officers of the
Naniwa.
Some of the stories told of the Japanese
are quite funny. For instance the wife of
a prominent photographer was advised
by her Japanese cook to lay in six months
troops were going to land and take pos
session of all the stores.
Another tells of the great things his
company is going tn do when it gets into
action. His company in the meantime is
being drilled in some back room in Japa-
nese Town with wooden swords. These
stories do not seem to be told with the
idea of creating alarm, but are sim ply
illustrative of the national braggadocio.
''Will Hawaii fight 2" is a question often
asked. 1t may be answered that she will.
and to the bitter end. The Japanese NAV
land troops in Honolulu under cover of
the guns of their ships, but the minute
they get beyond that cover they will have
to fight for every inch OF ground. The
Hawaiian Government will fight for its
rights at least long enough to compel in
reference by the United States, or, fail
ing in that, by England.
The Grand Army parade on Saturday
was the finest yet seen here from a mill