The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1894-04-07

a reporter fof the star called NJ ule
United States Legation ths morning.
aud was pleasantly received boy Minister
Willis Tho visitor was seeking an "a.
preston upon the absorbing question Ut
alien citizenship with regard 10 the
oaths prescribed by the Provisional
Government Mr. Willis was busy de
GUESSING the some matter with another
caller The American Envoy said this
was n subject upon which he could not
at this time offer an opinion on furnish
n ruling. Continuing. Ne. Willis said
be- had sent am inquiry 90 the Govern
ment ne Washington, aud had requested
that the decision be- wired Co San Fran
cisco. Mr.. Willis expects 60 receive p
reply during the advertised registration
period, that b., before the 2lst inst The
American Minister said the Same quss.
tion had presented itself where other
suffrage oaths were provided on the
islands. lie loaned the STAR volumes
OF Foreign Relations Reports for the
respondence upon pledges required.
Under date Of July l. 1882, Mr.. Secre-
tary Frelinghuysen wrote To Mr. Comfy
on the case of l.. q. Jones. who had be-
come the owner Of vessel carrying the
/ Hawaiian flag. "1he form of oath is
thus set out in Mr.. Jones letter. Tho
undersigned. q native of the United
States Of America, being duly sworn
upon his oath, declares that lac will sup
port the constitution and laws of the
[ Hawaiian Islands and bear true allegi-
ance 10 His Majesty kamehameha ~
In becoming a citizen Of the United
States the law not only requires that an
alien shall swear tO support the laws of
this country, but also 10 renounce all
other allegiance, and especially that of
the country of which he may be then
a subject or citizen. In the oath taken
/ by Mr.. Jones there is no such express re-
nunciation of his American citizenship,
nor do the circumstances manifest any
/ intention on his part to expatriate him
self. The doctrine of the executive
branch of the Government on this sub
iect is thus expressed by the Attorney
General: TO constitute expatriatiOn
there must be an actual removal, fol-
lowed by foreign residence, accompaD-
led by authentic remuneration of pre-
existing citizenship You are
authorized 10 extend 10 him Mr.. Jones
such protection as may be properly due
TO a citizen of the United States residing
IN or having acquired commercial
domicile in a foreign State
Secretary Bayard, under date of Sept.
30, 1889, wrote TO Mr.. Merrill: This
question was brought to the knowledge
Of the department by Mr.. Putnam. He
was instructed that citizens of the Uni
ted States who take the oath remain
citizens of the United States, and are
entitled to be regarded and treated AS
such by our consular and diplomatic
officers. This department is informed
that the oath is unfortunately re-
quired OF the citizens of other nations,
who are nevertheless understood by
their own Governments 20 retain their
own nationality of origin. lnasmuch
also as this oath is "A requisite condition
for exercising any political privileges on
the islands, 1t is evident that refusal
on the part Of this Government Of the
assent TO taking il. granted by other
Governments TO their citizens, would re-
suit in the destruction Of any political
power previously possessed by our citi-
zens, and ITS transfer 10 citizens Of Other
asserting nations You will
relieve the minds of all bona fie Amer
can citizens who, while honestly desir
ing 10 maintain their American nation
atty, are obliged under local law 10 TAKE
an oath to support the constitution Of
the Hawaiian Kingdom
These extracts may safely be taken a'
a forecast Of the answer that Mr.. Wiilii
will receive by the next mail