HOPE FOR SEWARD AT PRESENT

SAN FRANCISCO, April 20. Mail advices have been received from Honolulu up to April 13, as follows:

The government has received application to return from Fred Wundenberg, Harry Juen, N. Peterson, James Brown and John Radin. These men are voluntary exiles and are now in San Francisco. They wish to return to this country, but cannot do so without the permission of the minister of foreign affairs. Their cases are now being considered.

F. F. Sneathen, a Pittsburg lawyer, arrived recently for the purpose of interceding for Major Seward, who is serving a sentence of thirty-five years. His plan was to have the government pardon Seward on the same terms that Ashford has been released. After conferring with Attorney General Smith, it was decided to let the matter rest for the present. Mr. Sneathen will make another effort later in the present year. Seward's brother-in-law is Judge Slagle of Pittsburg. Slagle has interested himself in the matter, and sent his lawyer to intercede. It has been learned that Slagle was the direct cause of Secretary Gresham's edict, which was to the effect that the Hawaiian government must not execute any American citizen without first notifying and laying all the facts before the State department. Slagle accomplished it in this way. He called to his aid the services of Quay, Cameron and McGee, who sought the senate committee on foreign relations, who in turn saw Gresham, with the result set forth.

The usual war rumor is afloat and if reports from abroad are true, arms have already been landed on Oahu, or are liable to be at any moment. It is not believed natives have anything to do with the business. It may be a part of the filibuster scheme to land arms in advance and leisurely bring in men to start the racket, others to come in on the tail end of the movement. For some time it has been noised around in peace circles that another lot of fire arms was to be landed on Oahu. Koko Head was the location, and the shipment would come much as did the munitions by the Wahlberg. The information originally came from the coast. Men there have been in correspondence with the detectives here on the subject. The foreign officials claim to have positive information on the subject.

Samuel Damon returned from California today. It was said that his visit to San Francisco was for the purpose of floating the new bonds issued by the government. It now turns out that his mission was for the purpose of buying the interest of Charles R. Bishop in the local banking house of the same name. Damon was successful, and will take full charge of the business in June next.

The government is now preparing a comprehens[...]