Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-03-21
THE THURSTON CASE
It is Unfortunate for Mr.. Gresham
at This Time.
THE CHARGES MADE ANALYZED
Giving Out the Dispatch to Minister
Taylor.
AS FOR MR.. WILLIS
AS FOR MR.. WILLIS

The action of Secretary Gresham in the
case OF Minister Thurstou Is disclosed at
an unfortunate time for those of the Sec
retary's friends who SO cordially applauded
his action in the case of the Allianca The
chorus of Gresham praise indeed, has been
rudely interrupted. A note has been sound
ed that SO vividly recalls the old chorus Of
censure that many friendly ears are great
ly aggrieved.
The matter Is as yet shrouded in a good
deal Of mystery; and the State Department
is doing what 1t can to add to this diff
Guilty. The fact remains, however, that no
explanation as yet vouchsafed from any
quarter throws any light On the subject
which secures for the administration such
Endorsement as its friends could desire.
Delicate Ground for Gresham.
Take the charge that Information from
the Hawaiian government for this govern
ment, conveyed through Minister Thurston,
has found its way into the public press be-
fore formal communication to the State
Department.
This is conceded to be mater of some
delicacy. but the question just at this time
harpens to be as delicate for Judge Gres-
ham as for Minister Thurston. The now
famous dispatch to the Spanish government
conveyed through Minister Taylor appear
ed in print before its contents were made
known by Minister Taylor to the Spanish
minister of foreign affairs. Suppose the
Spanish minister, when receiving Minister
Taylor, mad advanced with a slip from a
Madrid morning newspaper in his hand con-
tanning a copy of the dispatch, and have
said, with some show of feeling: This, sir,
is what, presume, you have come to COM
mrnicate to me. But how is it, sir that
this important matter appears first in the
newspapers? l must have an explanation
of that before 1 can confer with you Off
cially about the complaint of your govern
ment. We do business at this capital regu-
larly and in order" Minister Taylor would
have explained that the dispatch had not
been given to the press by him, or by any
attache of the American legation at Madrid.
Then, sir" the Spaniard might have said.
"the offense was committed at Washington,
and should like to hear from Mr.Secretary
Gresham on the subject" What would have
been the comment of Judge Gresham on
sUch an explosion? And yet there is no
comparison between the Importance of the
news given out in advance about the Span
ish affair and that about Hawaii. The one
was demand which might lead to war;
the other was merely the announcement Of
a fact accomplished, communicated only
Through courtesy to this government.
Mr.. Thurston Acquitted.
Take the charge that Minister Thursto1
balked the administrations schemes before
Congress. 1t is not thought the admins
tration will care to stand upon that. Min
lister Thurston would be too much magni-
fed by the admission. Besides, Senators,
democrats as well as republicans, acquit
Mr.. Thurston of any conduct not entirely
consistent with the proprieties of his sta
tion. Mr.. Morgan and Mr.. Frye both COM
municated with him from time to time, and
both testify to the way in which he car
ried himself, and to the value of his sug-
gestions. 1t was not necessary for him to
fr,1l inf ffrr,
about his country and his high standing
at this capital caused him to be sought by
those anxious for authoritative informa-
tfon. And then, as is pointed out, the ad-
ministration's schemes were defeated by
the public sentiment of the country. ex-
pressed through the newspapers and at
the polls. Congress had only to follow
that, without considering any outside sug-
gestions whatever, to take the course It
did.
Yielded to Personal Feeling.
No. the general opinion is that Secretary
Gresham has yielded to personal feeling in
the premises, and magnified matters which
he could well have afforded to pass by. He
has directed attention afresh to the whole
Hawaiian episode. which, so far he and
his chief are concerned, would be better
forgotten. 1t is recalled that they gave
President Dole an opportunity to put Min
lister Willis at a very great disadvantage in
an official correspondence, and now Min
lister Thurston looms up as a man so pow
erful that he can block the game of DEM
ocratC executive with a democratic Con-
gre5s.
Thurston Not Disturbed.
Beyond some personal modification at the
treatment accorded him by Judge Gresham,
it is not thought likely that the matter will
much disturb Mr.. Thurston. II may, in the
end, even rebound to his advantage. The
most difficult work possible for a Hawaiian
minister at this capital he has already ac-
complished. The new government is now
well set up. 1t has found especial favor in
this country. The rest. SO far as mere di-
plomacy is concerned is routine. But the
time is coming in Hawaii when the move
ment for annexation will require skillful
handling. Men will be needed at the helm
then who are not only in favor of annexa-
tion, but who are thoroughly familiar with
the forms of this government and person.
ally acquainted with the political leaders in
the United States. In that day, therefore,
Hawaii will greatly need Mr.. Thurston.
He, of all his countrymen, will probably be
the best qualified to head commission
negotiating for terms of admission for Ha~
waii into the American Union, and not un-
likely it is thought. he may, when the
time comes fill that post.
Minister Willis Case.
As for Minister Willis, the hope is ex-
pressed by some of the friends of Hawaii
in this city that whatever the fate of Min
lister Thurston may be, the Hawaiian gov-
ernment will not be swayed by any petu-
lancy or spirit of retaliation in dealing
with him. Good temper on the part of the
small government would be, they think.
the best possible rebuke of the bad temper
of the big government Besides, little fell
low is never effective or successful unless
he is good-tempered.
nUUEu,