St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-11-25
THuRsrOs,s POSITION.

The anomalous position at Washing
ton of Mr.. Thurston, the representative
of the provisional government of Ha-
wall, Is said to be causing considerable
annoyance to the secretary OF state. Mr..
ThurSton takes no pains to conceal his
hostility to the administration, and fire.
Quentlv makes himself exceedingly Of
fehSive. and has been especially so
since the recent declaration of Secre-
tary Gresham relative to Hawaiian af-
falrs. He assumes the airs and dignity
OF full-Hedged and accredited diplo-
matte representative. and, although he
has never been recognized as such by
the existing administration, he is con-
tlnually in evidence. His recent letters
and interviews on Hawaiian affairs
have been grossly insulting towards the
president and the secretary of state. If
language used by Mr.. Thurston had
been employed by the diplomatic rep
reSentative of any considerable Euro
pean power, his government would have
been promptly informed that he was
persona non grata, and his passports
would have been placed at his disposal.
This was done in the case OF Lord Sack
vile West some nine years ago, when
he undertook to influence the result of
pending election in this country.
President Cleveland was very emphatic
In his action on that occasion, even
although the British ambassador had
sought to advance his cause; and his
recall by the British government fol-
lhWed without any interruption of the
friendly relations Of the two countries.
But Minister Thurston occu pies
position differing from that of the rep
resentative of any other power. The
status of the government he represents
is In dispute. 1t has never been Off
cially recognized by the congress of the
United States, although the Harrison
administration gave it Semi-official rec
ognltlon and encouragement. The pres
ent administration has held no dIplo-
matte relations with him. although he
has been admitted to diplomatic circles
by Sufferance. Having no diplomatic
relations with the governm ent, he can
not be ordered back to those who sent
him, as was done in the case of Lord
Sackville West, and if he should ask for
his passports they would have to be
refused. As a private citizen, Thurs.
ton has a right to express any opinion
he may choose as to the policy of the
administration; as the minister of a
foreign power, he would be compelled
to place curb upon his tongue. But,
while assuming to be diplomatic rep
reSentative, he exercises the right of a
private citizen to criticise aud condemn
the acts of the government to which he
claims to be accredited.
This is the dilemma in which the
state department is placed: 1t cannot
resent Thurston's impertinence by de-
handing his recall. for it does not
recognize the government from which
he was sent, and such demand would
be recognition of that government.
Nor can it rebuke him for his inter-
ference as private citizen, the only
legal status he has, for that would be
an unjustifable interference with prl-
vate rights-of the right of free speech.
He is neither fish. flesh nor fowl. Prob
ably the best thing the administration
can do in the matter is to ignore his
existence altogether. This is often the
best means that can be employed for the
mitigation of a nuisance.