The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1899-10-25
May Not Get a Settlement as
Soon as They Think.
THE LETTERS From WASHINGTON
Minister Damon's Mission TO Italy
and How it Is Viewed by tho
American Government.

Special Agent Sewali yesterday de-
livered three communications to- Min
lister Mott-Smith at the Foreign Office.
which were in the nature OF personal
answers to- inquiries previously made
by the Hawaiian Government on the
three subjects embraced.
One OF these referred to- the claims
of British and other foreign residents
OF Honolulu who are endeavoring To
collect damages from the Hawaiian
Government for alleged illegal impris-
onment during the rebellion of 1895.
Some time since the Hawaiian Govern
ment caused printed copies OF all tneev-
idence in these cases to be transmitted
to Washington, and II Is understood
similar copies were forwarded to- the
British Government at London. These
cases were sent by the State Depart
ment to Attorney-General Griggs with
request for his opinion thereon.
This was given and the State Depart
ment incloses a copy OF the same to
Special Agent Sewall with instructions
10 forward 1t to- the Hawaiian Govern
ment and to communicate 20 the Gov
ernment that the State Department OF
the United States declines to consider
the claims but recommends that the
Hawaiian Government reconsider them
and endeavor TO effect some settle
ment which will be satisfactory to all
parties. The merits OF the claims are
not acknowledged in any way. as the
United States declines to- 20 into them.
but il is suggested that 1t would be de-
sirable for all parties concerned to- get
rid of them before the enabling act
for the new Territory OF hawaii is
brought up for passage. In a nutshell
these claims are now exactly in the
position they were when first filed.
with the prospect. however. OF receiv-
ing more favorable consideration.
The second letter relates to- Minister
Damon and his trip to Italy. and also
represents the views OF the State De-
partment at Washington. The Ha-
waiian Government is virtually given
to understand that the United States
Government views with considerable
disfavor Minister Damon's mission. as
being in contravention to- the we'll
known views of the United States at
the present time on the subject OF emf
grafton in general and Italian in par
ticular II the Advertiser is correctly
informed. and IL generally Is in these
matters. the Hawaiian Government i
distinctly and plainly informed that
the acts of Samuel VI. Damon as Minis
ter OF Finance and agent OF the Ha-
waiian Government in his endeavors
10 obtain Italian emigrants for Ha-
wall are repudiated entirely. As to his
acts as Samuel NJ. Damon. private citi-
zen, the State Department has nothing
to say; the objection Is solely to the
use of his official position. II Is under
stood that Mr.. Damon has been made
aware of this decision and is govern
ing himself accordingly.
The title TO be given the Minister
OF Foreign Affairs OF the Hawaiian
Government was the subject OF the
third letter. Some time since there
was an intimation from Washington
to the effect that II would be more in
accord with the changed conditions
brought about by annexation IL this
official was hereafter named the Secre-
tary of State. To this intimation the
Hawaiian Government demurred. call
ing attention to- the fact that the pre-
sent Hawaiian Constitution and many
OF the statute laws would have TO be
amended to- conform to the change.
The Washington Government con-
cedes that the Hawaiian Government
is right in this matter and rules that
the Office may remain under It's old