Mr. Willis to Mr. Gresham.
Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands, March 24, 1894.
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that on the 15th instant the act “to provide for a constitutional convention” was approved and is now a law. The election for delegates has been ordered for the 2d day of May, 1894.
The convention will “consist of the President, the executive and advisory councils, and 18 delegates,” the latter to be elected by general vote. The councils, together with the President, will have a majority of 1. Of the 18 new delegates, 6 will be elected from this island (Oahu). [Page 1312] By section 4 the privilege of voting is placed within the reach of “every male resident of the Hawaiian Islands of Hawaiian, American, or European birth or descent who shall have taken the oath by this act provided.” The oath referred to is that the voter “will support and bear true allegiance to the Provisional Government of the Hawaiian Islands, and will oppose any attempt to reestablish monarchial government in any form in the Hawaiian Islands.” The oath at first contained a clause renouncing allegiance to Liliuokalani, but this was afterwards stricken out.
Section 5 provides for minority representation. It is earnestly hoped by the Provisional Government that the Hawaiians will participate in this election.
Out of the two political clubs known as the “American League” and “Union Party,” a new organization, the “American Union Party,” has been organized, whose leading principles are “the accomplishment of a political union with the United States of America and the maintenance of a stable and honest government.”
The political situation at present seems to be peaceful.
With renewed assurances of high esteem, etc.,