The record-union., 1895-03-21

ST have no inside or exclusive informa-
tion," he said, in discussing the matter
to-day, 'but the published reports say
that Mr.. ThurSton's recall has been asked
because he made public diplomatic COR
respondence before submitting it to the
Secretary. Ii this is correct he was
clearly In the wrong, and could not ex-
pect that the Secretary would do other
wise than ask for his recall. 1t was
clearly breach of official etiquette, and
is practice which this country cannot
afford to encourage. There might be
times when such a course would lead to
serious consequences, and II matters of
international Importance are to be so
treated by the representatives of foreign
Governments, we might just as well have
no State Department.
II have heard 1t suggested" continued
the Senator, that there was some preiu-
dice on the part of the State Department
against MIR. Thurston because it was be-
lieved that the Minister had supplied
Senators OF the United States the policy
of this Administration in Hawaiian at-
fairs with some facts during the debates
in the Senate, but that fact, if it be fact,
should cut no figure. The State Depart
ment could ask nothing of Mr.. Thurston
except courteous treatment at his hands
in his official dealings with the depart.
ment 1t could have no supervision over
y.
hoped that nothing would happen to
strain our relations with the Dole Gov
ernment, for l believe that it is good
Government and that the Hawaiians
have republic which is such in fact as
we'll as in name-not like the Central
American republics, including Mexico,
which are nothing but military despot-
isms."
A member of the diplomatic corps,
long in the service and well yersed in the
procedure, said: "The books do not con-
tain precedent warranting such de-
mand for Minister'S recall because he
made public the condition OF facts within
his country. In the case OF Mr.. Thurs
ton. he was under no obligation to give
to the State Department the intentions of
his Government toward those convicted
OF rebellion. 1t was Information as to
facts which had actually occurred, and
not of subjects involved in diplomatic
negotiations. The precedents are agreed
that Minister should not communicate
with the press or give opinions on purely
diplomatic questions, but he is always at
liberty to state conditions of affairs"
III the Hawaiian Government can put
up with Minister Willis, l think this
Government might easily overlook such
a trivial matter as that which was made
an excuse for Minister Thurston's dis
missal," said Senator Frye of Maine. ("It
nuns w llIS 4lh6 d very Suldl1 piece OF
business. AS l understand the mater,
Mr.. Thurston did not give out to the
press official communications, but the
information which he impaired TO the
newspapers was the summary of the
news conveyed to him by private letters.
[ think Mr.. Thurston's reply TO BIount
started the trouble, and l think Mr..
Thurston was absolutely right in that re-
ply to Blount. The Administrator has
felt resenttul Of Mr.. Thurston. No other
statement other than that stated in this
dispatch was given for the request for the
Minister'S removal.
The significant point in the Russian
case indicated that it was under no obli-
CATION to make out q case against the
offending Minister, but it was sufficient
to cause his recall to say that he was OBJ
Jectlonable. And SO in Mr.. Thurston's
case, there probably will be no ATTEMPT
made 10 connect him with the objection
able newspaper publications. 1t is held
to be sufficient that he rests under suspi-
clon, which may or may not be well
grounded. AS to the outcome, there is
much doubt, for it all rests with the
hawaiian Government, and depends
whether that Government takes the
ground that its Minister has been at
tackled because of personal reasons, or
whether 1t may regard the demand for
his recall as the result of the faithful ex-
eSution VI olhCAdA CudI Res cOuIueu 10 lis
care. OF course, the Minister will go in
either case, but if the Hawaiian Govern
ment takes the latter view, it will simply
omit to accept another person to succeed
him, and in this case Mr.. Willis, our
Minister to Hawaii, will De obliged to
take a leave Of absence, just as MIR.
Porter, our Minister to Italy, did when
Baron Fava was recalled as the result OF
the killing of his fellow -countrymen in
New Orleans few years ago.n
Notwithstanding reports have been in
circulation, it can be stated that no re-
quest has been made thus tar for the re-
call of Minister Muraga of Spain, but be-
yond this, no statement can be made at
this time