The San Francisco call., 1898-02-13
Hawaii Receives a Reply From the Japanese Govern
 nlent.
ARBITRATION IS ACCEPTED
But There Is a Hitch as to the Mum Der of Arbitrators to Settle
 the Dispute.
Special Correspondence of The Call.

HONOLULU, Feb. 15 - Minister Cooper refuses to say anything in ref erence to the French cable scheme, but the matter is now common gossip here.
 The Government has at length re- ceived a reply from the Japanese Gov ernment through Minister Shimamura. The contents of it, as obtained from the two diplomats, may be briefly con- densed. The principle of arbitration Is accepted, but the details are matters of controversy still. and are likely to be for some months to come. Both Ministers claim that there is cordiality and rapprOchement in the dispatch, but there is one point upon which, appar- ently, neither Government is willing to recede at present, and that is supposed to be the character of the Court of Arbitration. Japan probably wants one arbitrator and Hawaii three.
 The two Ministers agreed on one point, and that was that it was mex pedient to make public the details un- der consideration. The whole of the correspondence between the two Gov ernments up to December 31, 1897, will be published by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and presented to the Legislature on the 16th.
 Minister Cooper states that the Gov ernment has considered no plans for the future conduct of the Government in the event of annexation being de- feated, and if we are annexed the sug- gestions will naturally proceed from Washington. It is understood howev- CT, that should annexation be defeated I,, ' Nf I ri-g, propositions will be brought before that body to broaden the constitution and enlarge the power of the people.
 The following statement published in the Independent is supported by relia- ble evidence:
 The Mormon church in Utah and the representatives of that State were pug the large colony or Hawaiians in the State Of MormonS favoring the anneXa- tion of Hawaii was presented to the Sem atorS and Representatives or the State. Shortly after another petition, signed by every decent member of the Mormon church in the Hawaiian islands, in which the petitioners in forcible and touching language opposed the annexation scheme, was received by the Senators and repre- sentatives of Utah and by the head of the church which claims 5000 adherents in Hawaii. Upon investigation it was learned that the leading Hawaiians at Salt Lake City were blinded by promises or lanQS ana privileges Tn Hawaii by emissaries from this Government if they could get up an annexation petition among the Hawaiian Mormons. The men were tempted, forgot their honor and their Hawaiian brethren, only to learn later on that the promises of their un- scrupulous tempters were idle and value less, and that they are now being laughed at for being duped and led into dishon- orable bargain. A Mormon elder has been sent here, evidently by the same o+a o,,l tIa II-I.- i;o, Lay to that church will be asked to change around and join the fold of the annexa- tionists. The elder will find that his smooth words, his promises and his ere dentials will not help him in his unholy mission. In Laie. where he now is he will get the Klondike heart. Not one Ha- waiian could he find here to follow him on his annexation expedition.
 At brief meeting of the Cabinet some correspondence relating to the establishment of a French line of steamers was read.
 The steamers are to be put on very shortly now, and will run from New Caledonia, Tahiti and other French Honolulu. Honolulu will be the ter minal point of the new line. It IS sur missed that Honolulu will be made the supply point for all the French Islands. Mails, freightS and other goods for the people residing on these possessions will be brought to Honolulu from Can ada and the United States to this port Here they will be picked up and carried to the different islands
 The government would only give out ehe most meager information concern ing the enterprise. From whom the correspondence was received could not be learned, but it is probable that the French government is interested in the new line.
 The news of the establishment of the new line of steamers is hailed with de- light by the merchants and residents in Honolulu. A line of steamers such as the one proposed means many thou