The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-05-16
GREAT BRITAIN INTERFERES.
IN The Case Of Two Ct The Hen COnYlct-
ed Of Treason In Hawaii.
CLAIMS THEY ARE BRITISH SUBJECTS,
The Hawaiian Government on the Con-
trsry, Maintains That They Had
Taken Out Full NATURALIZATION
Papers-The Affidavis.

SAN FRANCISCO, CAL, May 15.-(Cor-
respondence Of the United Press. per
steamer Australia). HONOLULU, May S.
At meeting Of councils yesterday, MIN
lister Hatch read the following communi-
cation from British Commissioner Hawes:
with reference to my dispatch 70 you
on the 23d Of February last, on the SUBJ
ject OF the nationality OF Messrs Rick
ard, Walker, and Hewett. in which l in
formed you that | had decided 10 submit
the whole question TO my Government
and ask their decision. | have the honor
now TO inform you that Lord Kimberley
has had under his careful consideration
the question of the nationality OF the
above-named men. and has come to the
conclusion, that in the case of Mr.. Hew-
EFT there is no ground on which to sup
port a claim OF British nationality. as
he appears to have made the proper ap-
plication, given the requisite proof. and
obtained certificate of Hawaiian ma
tionality.
TIE OTHER CAsEs DIFFERENT.
THE case OF the other two men has.
however, been viewed differently. His
Lordship states that they DO not appear
come naturalzcd. They are only shown TO
have taken the oath OF allegiance 10 King
kalakua and his successor and they as.
sert that they took that oath on express
assurance that IL would rot affect their
nationality. and there is no proof that
certificates of naturalization were ISSUED
to them. / am, therefore, instructed TO
represent TO your government that her
MaJesty's government cannot admit that
the Hawaiian nationality of Messrs.
Rickard and Walker has been establish
ed"
The aflidavts made by Walker. depos-
ed; In order 10 obtain greater facilities
for employment, I did. at the suggestion
Of the late King Kalakua, sign a docu-
ment, which l understood from the King
would ensure to me greater privileges as
resident in Honolulu, and as the hus-
band OF an Hawaiian wife, but which
he told me would In no way affect my
position and rights as a birth subject
! had no knowledge whatever, that the
said document was the oath OF allegiance.
l simply signed my name in a book be-
fore a clerk in the Department OF the In
terror and not IN the presence OF
magistrate or a member OF the govern
ment" Richards affidavit Is similar 10
the above. and states IN addition II was
informed by Major WodehOuse her Ma
Jesty's commissioner and Consul General,
that no such forfeiture was conveyed by
the declaration, which | made only 20
qualify myself at the urgent request OF
many British and other residents TO be-
come a member OF the Legislature"
DID TAKE THE oATHs.
Copies OF the oath taken by Walker,
and of the naturalization certificate OF
Rickard have been obtained. The law
authorizing them. which was quoted by
Secretary Gresham, provided that the
person receiving the new citizenship
should place himself under the pain
his country OF original allegiance
his native country OF original allegiance.
From these documents 1t appears that
Walker and Rickard aid take the oaths.
Notwithstanding their anidayits to the
contrary. The Attorney-General said
positively this morning that they took
the statutory oath. This Government
does not assent 10 the views OF Lord
Kimberley and expects TO have further
correspondence on the subject Both
Walker and Rickard held certificates
under the Hawaiian Government for
for which naturalization was necessary.
Should the British Government main-
tain IT'S position that II has the right 10
interfere In behalf Of these men as Brit
ish subjects. such interference would
probably open the question whether they
were legally convicted by a military tri-
bunal. Their counsel, Mr.. Newman. made
protest that such a tribunal was un-
constitutional and Illegal Rickard was
sentenced 10 p years Imprisonment and
a $1,000 fine. Walker 10 80 years and "A
$3.50 fine Rickard vas one Of the four
chief conspiratOrs. and helped 20 lend the
arms Walker filled a bomb with dyna-
mite lie pleaded guilty In the case or
Rickard, who was elected to the Legisla-
ture. the most unqualified Hawaiian cit
izcnship must necessarily have been re-
quired Walker alone received no certih-
cate OF naturalization, it not being the
custom 10 issue such certificates until
1hNS.