The herald., 1897-04-05
Trouble Not Apprehended
in Hawaii
THE SITUATION AT PRESENT
ATTORNEY GENERAL SMITH
HoMEWARD BOUND
He Thinks There Is No Danger of
Japan Attempting to Seize
the Sandwich Islands

w. o. Smith, attorney general for the
Hawaiian government, who arrived in
this city last Saturday night on the
Sunset limited, left for San Francisco
yesterday morning at IL o'clock, with
the intention of taking the steamer Rio
Janeiro for the islands within the next
few days. Mr. Smith was interviewed
shortly before his departure, and gave
some interesting facts concerning the
present condition of affairs in Hawaii.
1T reached this country on February
10th last" said he, land my visit was
made upon the request Of President
Dole, who desired me to discuss certain
matters with our minister at Washing
ton relative to the coming changes in
the character of your administration,
which are of vital interest to Hawaiians.
Owing to certain irregularities in the
official mail, occasioned by change of
administration, 1t was thought best for
me to hold the consultation personally,
and in pursuance of that decision, /
went to Washington. What those mat
ters are I, Of course, as a representa-
tive of my government, am unable to
IHdhc hnoWH al PiCSChtb Oot tACy Wiii
become public, in due course of time
through the usual diplomatic channels.
i am now hurrying back to the islands
after the accomplishment of the pur-
pose which brought me here, not be-
cause either myself or my government
fear any trouble with Japan or those of
her subjects now in the islands.
Our relations with Japan are of the
most amicable nature, and 1 do not
nf nj a oh n tn "a ,ff tty6a
of the governments toward each other
The treaty relations between Japan and
Hawaii regarding emigration are the
same as those between all other gov
ernments, with the exception of China
Our allen act admits representatives of
every nation, provided they are intelli-
gent and Industrious and not liable to
become a burden on the hands of the
government"
Does your government intend pass
ing laws to exclude Japanese immigra-
tion, similar to those in effect against
the Chinese" he was asked.
Mr. Smith slightly hesitated and then
said: You must remember that I am
an officer Of the government and cannot
talk as freely as l would wish to do. 1t
Is an undoubted fact that the japanese
in the islands greatly outnumber those
of any other foreign nationality, and
their numbers are being continually
added to- No, do not think there will
be any trouble either with Japan or her
subjects now in Hawaii. The outbreak
reported through the newspapers is
merely a sporadic one and was doubtless
occasioned from dissatisfaction with
wages paid. 1T is a matter of no mo-
ment whatever.
1.-THE Hawaiian islands from their sit
uation naturally come under the pro-
lection of the United States, and one
thing, beyond all others, which would
discouDtenance any intention on the
part of Japan to seize them is the pres
ent friendly relations between that
country and this, together with inter-
ests, which to great extent are identi-
cal. The U. s. S. Philadelphia, which
learn has been ordered to the islands,
goes, in my opinion. simply because
your war department desires either to
relieve the present vessel stationed
there, or to be represented by a larger
and more powerful ship; the move is not
done with the apprehension of coming
trouble, that yeu can rest assured of.
The feeling in Hawaii towards the
United States is one Of the most friend
ly character. All the residents of for
eign extraction and a large proportion
of the native population earnestly de-
sire annexation to this country. The
action Of President Cleveland in regard
to our wishes, although of disappoint-
ing character, has think, been attend
ed with good results, because by throw
ing us upon our own resources it has
enabled us to prove practically that we
can govern ourselves. What the present
administration may do regarding the
wishes of our islanders time can only
tell, and as to the expression of what
the intentions of the Hawaiian govern
ment are my mouth is closed owing to
the position hold"
Mr.. Smith is tall and slender in build,
with brown eyes and dark mustache
sprinkled with gray. His movements
are suggestive of a certain quiet alert
ness, while his smile is genial and his
manners affable. He spent Saturday
night at the residence of his brother-in-
law, w. Waterhouse, in Pasadena and
will join his wife, at present in Oakland,
both sailing on the next steamer for
Hawaii