The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-03-27
Minister Thurston Decides to
Leave This Country;
THE DIPLOMAT IS RETICENT
Declines TO Say Whether Charges Have
Been Preferred
The Next Steamer Sailing From San
Francisco VIII Take him Back
to the Islands

waiting for any formal notice from MS
government to return. Mr.. Thurston
reached this conclusion somewhat sud-
denly and announced his intention to
friends while making farewell visits yes
teiday afternoon. He retains the digni-
fed silence which he has observed from
the first time that he learned that he was
regarded by Gresham as persona non
grata. He has not received such informa-
ton from the state department., however.
He declined to discuss his case in any
manner and merely said that he would
start for San Francisco today and take
the steamer sailing next week for Homo
lulu.
Asked if he had received official notice
that request had been sent to his govern
ment for his recall Mr.. Thurston replied
that he had nothing to say on the sub
jecr. He was equally reticent as to wheth-
or or not he had been informed through
the state department of any charges
pending or preferred in his case, which
might bring about the severance of his
diplomatic relations at Washington.
None OF the attaches of the legation
would discuss the reasons on which Mr..
Thurston had returned home. For the
present Mr.. Hastings will be in charge of
the legation. Rumors are current to the
effect that he may be appointed minister.
1t is also reported that Mr.. Thurston will
become the Hawaiian secretary of foreign
affairs and that Mr.. Hatch will represent
his government washington.
Notwithstanding the reticence OF Mr..
Thurston and members OF the Hawaiian
legation, it is definitely learned that the
retiring minister has not been informed
by Secretary Gresham, or any one repre-
senting him, that Il request for his recall
had been sent TO President Dole's govern
ment. Consistent with the past tire at
ment of Hawaii's diplomatic representa-
tive, the state department has let its act
affecting himself and his government leak
out through the medium of the news
papers.
Mr. Thurston, in conversation with a
friend, yesterday, admitted that his only
source of information as to the course OF
the state department in his case has been
obtained from the newspapers. He has
received no communication from Secre-
tary Gresham and expected none, he said
lie accepted the press statements as ac-
curate, and his conclusion to return home
was based upon what the newspapers
say.
CHICAGO, March 26.-The Tribune's
Washington, ID. c., special asys: at is
asserted here that Minister Thurston of
Hawaii will not only be deprived of his
diplomatic honors but will be obliged To
ltaNe IDt country WHebutT he WtlIltS 10 20
or not. State department officials, it is
said, have been looking INTO the question
of the right of the United States to direct
the deportation of an Objectionable alien
and have come to the conclusion there is
no legal obstacle in the way"
Mr.. Thurston's departure put an end to
previous comment as to his purpose to re-
main in Washington as a thorn in the
side of the State Department. His state
ment does not make clear, however,
whether his absence is temporary or per-
manent and the minister will not go
into details. 1t is regarded as final, how
ever in showing that he will not seek to
remain in Washington as source of any
irritation. There have been reports, be-
lieved, however, to be baseless, that if he
persisted in remaining in private capac-
ity, the law would be evoked to have him
deported, but Mr.. Thurston's statement is
regarded as settling that there will be no
try.
In some quarters Mr.. Thurston s move
is regarded as shrewd diplomatic
stroke. 1t is recalled that he left unex-
pectedly about fifteen months ago when
the question of restoring the Queen to the
throne was at a critical stage in Hawaii.
The Hawaiian Government was on the
point of reaching a decision but had not
yet done so.
At this juncture Mr.. Thurston left
Washington suddenly, his departure not
being known until he was well on the
way to San Francisco. He had full in
formation as to the sentiment in the
United States and when he reached Ha-
waii his advice had much to do in the
final action of the government. 1t is be-
ing suggested therefore. that his depar-
ture at the present juncture, before it is
known what action the Hawaiian Govern
inent has taken on Secretary Gresham s
u, 1
nolulu when final action is taken. No in
formation has yet come from Hawaii as
to the course of the government. The first
ship to arrive is the Australia, expecte
at San Francisco tomorrow. The depar-
ture of Mr.. Thurston from the United
States without being recalled by his gov
eminent will leave the relations between
this Government and Hawaii in pecu-
liar condition. 1t cannot be said that
there is rupture Of diplomatic relations,
but they will certainly be severely
strained. 1t is customary in ordinary
cases when minister leaves the United
States permanently for him to present his
letters of recall to the president and take
his leave. But as Mr.. Thurston has not
been recalled he cannot do this. Then
when minister leaves the United States
temporarily he usually addresses note
to the State Department and informs it
that he has left the legation in the hands
of charge. Probably Mr.. Thurston has
adopted the latter course. But in the Gel
ebrated Catacasey case, in which the Rus
sian Government had been requested to
recall its Objectionable minister and the
latter before his government had passed
upon the request, notified the Department.
OF State that he proposed to leave the
United States on leave Of absence, Secre-
tary Fish strongly objected and insisted
that the United States would accept MOTH
ing less than the minister's recall. In the
end Mr.. Catacasey did leave the United
States without being recalled, Just as Mr..
Thurston is about to do. turning over the
business OF the legation to charge and
our Government accepted the situation
and so expressed itself as satisfied. 1t was
a long time before another minister came
from Russia to Washington and the SINH
larity in other features in the two Incl
dents leads to the opinion that the par
ellel may be carried on further and that
Mr.. Hastings, the Hawaiian charge, may
be left.
\ 1t was said at the State Department late
this afternoon that Minister Thurston had
not notified the department of his return
to Honolulu or that he was to be absent
from the city 1t is usually customary
for a Minister 10 notify the department Of
his intention and to say who will be
charge d'affaires during the Minister'S
absence. OF course there is yet time for
Mr.. Thurston to send such notification.
and one of the department officials said
no doubt it would be received before Mr..
Thurston left the country, if he had de-
termined ON going.