The San Francisco call., 1899-11-02
MUST RECONSIDER
BRITISH CLAIMS
Washington's Instruc-
tiOns to Hawaii.
NOTIFIED TO TAKE ACTION
DEMANDS FOR DAMAGES FOR
IMPRISONMENT.
United States Government Disap-
proves of Damon's Mission to
Italy With Inducements
for Colonization.
Special Correspondence of The Call.

HONOLULU, Oct. Especial Agent
Harold NJ Sewall yesterday handed TO
the Hawaiian Government three letters
all Of which are quite important. They
come from Washington and are official.
The first and most important refers to
the claims of British and other residents
for damages for imprisonment during the
rebellion of 1898. Inclosed with the COM
munication is the opinion of Attorney
General Griggs in relation to the matter.
He argues the cases in a general way, and
finally recommends that the matters be
referred back 10 the Hawaiian Govern
ment with instructions to act. In other
words. the merit of the claims is ac-
knowledged. No individual cases are par
ticularly specified. It is recommended
that the local Government make settle
ment OF some sort satisfactory to the par
ties.
The Hawaiian Government will first
carefully consider the opinion of the At
torney General 1t is quite long, and con-
tains number of new points. Then, un-
doubtedly each case will be taken up
separately and recOnSidered.
The second letter, and one of great i'm
portance, is in relation to Minister Da-
mons trip to Italy. This comes directly
Agent Sewall, and is transmitted by him
in personal Letter to the Hawaiian Gov
eminent Minister Dole declined to dis
cuss the communication. 1t is understood,
\
ment disapprOYes of the mission of Mr..
Damon.
It IS stated that the Government will
first consider carefully the communication
before acting upon il. Nothing was done
in regard to this matter this morning so
far as can be learned.
This is one of the most interesting of
the letters received Minister Damon
left here some months ago to enlist in
Italy laborers for the plantations, or.
rather. TO open the way for drawing on
ha h. Of
for a portion of the field labor required
here. There was at Washington either a
taCit or positive approval of the mission.
It seems that there has since sprung dp
some question about ii.
The third letter was in relation to the
title Of the Minister of Foreign Affairs
II may be eXnlained that some time ago
there was suggestion that the name of
this office be changed to that of the Sec
retary OF State 10 correspond with the
custom of the central Government and
also with the governments of the several
States. The Hawaiian Government called
attention 10 the confusion such a change
would cause here. Not only the consti-
tuition, hut numerous laws delegate Ger
tain powers to the Minister of Foreign
Affairs The Bureau OF Education with
all OF Its business. Is placed under that
difficulty in getting through The Auditors
office any hills contracted hE q Score
tary of State" etc.
The Washington Government rules
the office may continue under its old
title.
The funeral of the late Minister James
A. King. who died suddenly on the 18th.
took place from the executive building
AZ O. clock Sunday afternoon.
The United States steamship Newark
arrived from San Francisco this morn
t-E on her way to join Admiral Watson's s
feet II Manila. The cruiser will remain
in port about three days.
- Wl.2m .. Smith. formerly Attorney
General Of mis- country, mas been selected
to represent the Hawaiian Islands at
Washington while Congress is in session
He will be the delegate Of the Planters
Association and the Chamber of Com
merce. and his work viii be to supply in
formation 10 Congressman when the en-
ablinig act comes up.
The steamship Carlisle City arrived yes
terday from the Orient with 702 Japanese
laborers on board The vessel will pro-
ceed TO San Diego and will probably go
into the United States army transDort
service. She was built as cattle trans
port and will be better for the shipment
of horses and mules than any steamer
now in that service