The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1897-01-15
HlNS4ER WILLIS DEAD.
United States Representa-
tive at Honolulu Passes
Away at His Post.
CONSUMPTION THE CAUSE
Sketch Of the Man Who Negotiated
with Queen Lii Presi-
dent Grisved.
CONSUMPTION THE CAUSE

dent GrleVed.
HONOLULU, Jan. z, via San Francisco,
Jan. Is, l997.-United States Minister Al
bert S. Willis died at his residence yes
terday at A. NJ, after several months
Illness. The direct cause of death was
pneumonia, which he first contracted in
San Francisco early last year. His con-
dition has been at times such that it gave
his family hopes OF his ultimate reeov-
cry, and again it was precarious to a de-
gree that filled his physicians with grave
alarm. A few days ago his condition was
much improved and his family renewed
their hopes, but the change for the bet
ter was but temporary He has been
surrounded at all times by the best med
ical talent in the city and every care
was given the Minister but in spite of a
vigorous constitution, which has assisted
him in battling with the disease, he
snccumbed after long and severe suffer-
ing. Some time after midnight Tuesday
Minister Willis condition began growing
worse, and it was seen that the end was
not far off. He lost consciousness and
his breathing was difficult. and in this
condition he remained until dissolution
took place.
1t is not known yet whether an escort
will be sent with the remains but it
seems to be the opinion of number of
citizens that a representative Of the For
eign CfIlce should be detailed as an es-
cort to accompany the remains to Louis
viae and turn them over to the officials
there.
Until the funeral takes place a detail of
gentlemen, selected by the Minister of
Foreign Affairs, will remain at the VIII
Directly the intelligence of the death
of the Minister was received by the. Gov
ernment the flags. OF the judiciary build
cred to half mast. Most of the business
houses and the shipping followed suit as
soon as the death was, known;
the E ong s care Of of her f HUSBAND The fa G
lily expects to sail for home with the re-
mains on the steamer Australia, on the
cord State s faaeral to the deceased w rep @
resentalve of the United States tomor-
row. The body will lie in state during
Funeral services viii be held At P. NJ
IN Central Union Church. The process
sion to the cemetery, where the body will
be placed in the receiving. vault until the
sailing of the steamer, will be proceeded
by the local militia and a battalion from
the U. $. S. Alert. President Dole and
Tne CQleI OIlC1dlS OF the Government Will
follow. the mourners. It will be the most
IMPOSING funeral since the burning of Kai-
okhna.
Mr.. Willis left small estate but am
The proposed anti-annexation organiza-
fton, headed by British and German
Planters, came to nothing. It proved IN
possible for them to secure any support
from the Americans, who are said to be
2 unil ior annexation: strong minority
ofs e,I IL. British residents favor it, in spite of
the.r own patriotic inclinations.
Albert e. Willis was born in Shelby
county, Kentucky, in 1845, and served as
a Democratic Representative from the
Fifth Kentucky Gouisville) district, from
the Forty-hfth to the Forty-ninth Con-
gress INCLUSIVE, when he was succeeded
by Mr. Caruth.
After the mission of Paramount Com
missioner Elount to Hawaii and the re-
port he made to the President alleging
that Queen Liliuokalani had been wrong
fully unseated from the throne of the
vention, Mr. Willis was appointed by
President Cleveland in September, 1898,
Minister to Hawaii, and was sent out
with sealed instructions to restore
LiliuoSalani to her throne on condition
that she grant general amnesty to those
concerned in setting up the provincial
government, and recognize all its bona
tide acts and obligations.
Minister Willis account of his inter
view with the Queen, as subsequently
communicated to Congress, was as fol-
lows
made known to her the Presidents
sincere regret that through the unauthor-
ICED intervention of the United States she
had been obliged to surrender her SOW
eissnty, and his hope that, with her con-
sent and cooperation, the wrong done
to her and to her people might be re-
dressed. To this she bowed her acknowl-
edgments.
said to her:-'"The President expects
and believes that when reinstated you viii
SNOW forgiveness and mag anirnity; that
you will wish to be the Queen of all the
people, both native and foreign born; that
and loyalty and to establish peace, friend
snip and good governmen To this she
made no reply. After waiting a moment
I uedi:-"T'he President not only ten
you. Before fully making known to you
aits purposes desire to know whether you
are willing ito answer certain questions
which It is my duty to ask?" She an
Should you he restored to the throne,
would you grant full amnesty as to life
and property to all those persons who
have been or who are now i'm the Proyi-
stp,mn enIual in the overthrow of your gov
ernment?''
She hesitated moment and then
slowly and calmly answered 80 There are
shall abide. My decision would be, as
the law directs. that such persons should
be beheaded and their property confiscat-
ed to the government" I then said, re-
psating very distinctly her words: TT is
your feeling that these people should be
beheaded and their property confiscat-
edl?'' She replied:-'Tt is I then said
to her:-"Do y6d fully understand the
meaning of every word which l have
said to you and of every word which you
have said to me, and If so, do you still
have the same opinieD?' Her answer
vast have understood and mean all
have said, but 1 might leave the de-
cislon of this,to my Ministers" To this
replied: Suppose it was necessary to
make decision before you appointed any
Minister'S, and that you We're asked to
issue royal proclamation of general
amnesty, would you do (t?' She an
swered.--.I have no legal right to do
that, and would not do it, Pausing q
moment she continued:-"'The people
were the cause of the revolution aid
constitution of 1887. There will never be
any peace while they are here. They
must be sent out of the country, or pun
ished, and their property confiscated.s'
then said.-'I have no further communi-
cation to make to you now and will
have none until hear from my gov
eminent, which will probably be three or
four weeks"
The upshot was that Mr.. Willis eventu-
ally recognized the Dole Government and
was subsequently formally accredited to
IT.
The anxieties. of his. position had
marked effect upon his health and APP
pearance. When he left for Honolulu
/ r>f