The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-04-20
MISSION 0F THE CRUISER
DOES IT MEAN ANNEXATION, RES
TORATION OR WAR?
j. o. Carter Calls on the Admiral, But
Minister Shimamura Comes Not
An Annexation Story.

Speculation regarding the mission
of the Philadelphia here has not
ceased, because Admiral Beardslee and
his officers have been, since their ar
rival in port, paying more attention to
their social duties than to prepara-
the part of the Admiral has given rise
to all sorts of rumors, and the people
are constantly on the tiptoe of eXpec-
fancy. Fresh food for speculation was
furnished yesterday by visit of j. o.
Carter, the eX-Queen's representative
in the islands, to Admiral Beardslee.
Although it proved, on investigation,
to be merely a friendly call, the mere
"friendliness" of it was significant,
according to the gossips.
1t is now quite certain that Admiral
Beardslee has not come to Honolulu
clothed with executive power to ex-
ecute a special mission for his Gov
ernment. Had he come to annex the
islands or to reseat the ex-Queen on
her throne, he certainly would not
hoist his deck awnings, set his paint
ers to painting the ship and. with his
officers, accept the hospitality of
friends ashore. The forecasters of
future events reason thus, and have
concluded that the Admiral has come
here under orders which carry him no
further, and that he must await fresh
orders by the next steamer before pro-
ceeding on his mission.
When the Mariposa left the Coast it
was rumored that President Mckinley
was about to take the initial step to-
ward making the islands a part and
parcel of the United States. The story
went that he was preparing message
to Congress urging the immediate an
neXation of the islands, and that it
would reach Congress within few
days after the sailing of the Mariposa
There was no doubt, it was said, that
Congress would take the President s
view of the matter. and that the an
neXation bill would be put through
with a rush. The next step would be
the appointment of Minister to Ha-
waii, who would come here and con-
summate the deal.
Should the rumor prove correct, the
mission of the Philadelphia in these
waters is easily explained. The annex
erly accomplished without the pres
ence here of a large armed force,
under the command of an officer of
high rank. With the Philadelphia,
Marion and Petrol in port, the United
States Government could muster about
700 men under arms, with a large
quota of officers. Such force. com
manded by Admiral Beardslee, would
make an impressive showing ashore.
But there are those who do not take
any stock in the annexation story.
They are of the class who believe i'm
plcity that the eX-Queen will be re-
stored through the potent influence
of her great and good friend" who
has just been retired from the head of
the United States Government. just
how the restoration is to be accom-
plished does not appear, but so small a
discrepancy ought not to destroy the
effect of the story. To these people
the visit of j. o. Carter to the Phila-
delphia yesterday was full of signifi-
cance. Lieut.. Stoney, the Admiral's
adjutant, took the romance out of it
when he explained that Mr.. Carter,
accompanied by Mr.. Irwin, had mere
ly called to formally thank the Ad-
miral for some fine orchids he had
distributed among his friends ashore
upon the arrival here of the Philadel-
phia.
Mr.. Carter, when seen this morn
ing, also made light of the restoration
story. He said that he had made