Mr. Willis to Mr. Gresham.
Honolulu, November 11, 1893.
Sir: On the 7th instant, at 11 o’clock, I presented to the Provisional Government Mr. Blount’s letter of recall and the letter accrediting me as his successor. I inclose an extract from the Commercial Advertiser giving an account of the proceedings. The time since then has been occupied with the reception of executive, judicial, and diplomatic rep resentatives of the Provisional and foreign Governments. I have not, therefore, had an opportunity of executing more fully your instructions, nor was fuller action advisable while the excitement was so great. I expect on next Monday morning to have an interview with the Queen which, if satisfactory, will be followed immediately by one with the Provisional Government. I have, therefore, inclosed a telegram to [Page 433] your dispatch agent at San Francisco as follows: “Report can be sent to Congress on 19th November,” it being my understanding that you desired to have all the facts presented before any decisive action here.
The Alameda, the next vessel leaving here after next Monday, will not reach San Francisco until November 23, during which interval it is hoped some definite result may be secured.
On the afternoon of the 6th the British minister, Major Wodehouse, called my attention to the following paragraph in the “Hawaiian Star” of the same date: “It would serve the ex-Queen well to pray to her gods that the peril of restoration will never come to her”—which he interpreted to be a threat of assassination, and inquired whether our Government was ready and willing to extend to her its protection. I replied that, without reference to her royal claims, she stood in such relations to the United States that she was entitled to and would receive the amplest protection at their hands. As a matter of fact, I had already ascertained that, at present, she did not desire our protection. After next Monday, however, and earlier if necessary, I shall insist on her coming to the legation.
Neither side has the vaguest idea, as yet, of the attitude of our Government, and consequently no outbreak has occurred, although every night is filled with rumors. I inclose several extracts from the “Commercial Advertiser” (annexation) morning daily; the “Star” (annexation) evening daily; the “Bulletin” and “Holomua,” both evening royalist papers, which will give you the situation here from a newspaper standpoint.
The U. S. S. Philadelphia and Adams are connected with Honolulu by telephone, but in the event of riot Admiral Irwin, now in command, has made, arrangements for rocket signaling.
On Monday next I will, by request, meet a committee of the “American League,” which one who claimed to be a member informed me was “six hundred strong, well armed with Winchester rifles, and would never permit the restoration of the Queen.” He further intimated that the League had some fear that the Provisional Government “would make concessions and surrender their rights, and if so, they would overthrow it,” etc. There is undoubtedly in this Government, as in all governments, a class of reckless, lawless men, who, under the impression that they have the moral support of some of the better class of citizens, may at any moment bring about a serious condition of affairs. Fortunately the men at the head of the Provisional Government are acknowledged by all sides to be of the highest integrity; and public spirit, which, combined with the large material interests they represent, will, it is hoped, cause them to stand firmly and successfully for peace and good government.
The Japanese consul-general, Mr. Suburo Fujii, has just called to say that his people, who now number nearly one-third of the male population, are very apprehensive of immediate disturbances. He desired to know whether I would advise him to send for a man-of-war. I declined to give him any advice. He then inquired whether his people could expect protection from the United States troops. I told him that if it was his request, and that if his people were nonparticipants in any trouble, that he could probably rely upon the protection of our Government. The American interests here are so extensive and all interests are so close that it is impossible to touch one without involving all.
With sentiments of high regard, I am, etc.,