The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-05-16
HA AWAIrS TURN.
New Republic May Get Into
a SquabbIe.
Cases of Rickard and Walker May
Lead TO Complications.

SAN FRANCISCO, May 16-Steame9 Aus
tralia arrived from Honolulu, May 8, with
the following:
Minister Hatch has handed Minister
Willis his answer in regard to the recall
Of Minister Thurston, which will go for.
ward by this mail II is a lengthy docu-
ment, and makes q general denial of tho
charges against the Hawaiian minister.
The latters course is upheld In every par
ticular. Secretary Gresham is informed
that Thurston will not be returned to
Washington, but the letter does not name
his successor.
The decision of Lord Kimberley regard
ing Great Britain's position on the ques-
ton of citizenship and protection TO those
concerned in the recent uprising has just
been received in the cases of Walker and
Rickard, convicted of treason. According
to this decision, Walker and Richard are
looked upon as citizens Of Great Britain
and subject to protection from that coun-
try.
The decision Is particularly interesting
on account of the letter recently received
from Secretary Gresham, which indicates a
policy directly opposed TO that of Great
Britain. Walker and Richard are natural
fzcd citizens ef Hawaii; took the oath OF
allegiance to support the constitution and
the laws, and swore allegiance TO the king.
Walker and Rickard have made oath
that when they took oath of allegiance to
Hawaii the king told them that IL would
not affect their British citizenship, the
British commissioner at that time coin.
Gliding with this statement. While In the
dispatch Earl Kimberley simply states
that Rickard and Walker must be pro
tectcd as British subjects, it makes no in
dication of what steps will be taken.
1t is understood that the Hawaiian gov.
ernment will not admit for a moment
these men are British subjects, and will
accept the consequences. Hawaii Is willing
20 leave the matter TO arbitration as n
final resort, but will not yield in any other
way.
In the archives Of the interior office have
recently been found the written applica,
tions of Walker and Rickard requesting
that they be allowed TO become natural
lied These documents convict them OF
falsehood and may close up tho discus
sion.
The Hawaiian Oath OF Allegiance
is as follows:
Section 45a-Every foreigner so naturalized !
shall be deemed to all intents and purposes |
native OF the Hawaiian Islands; be amenable |
only TO the laws Of this kingdom and to the au-
thority and control thereof; be entitled TO the |
protection of the said laws and be no longer |
amenable to his native sovereign while resid- |
ing in this kingdom, nor entitled 20 resort TO |
his native country for protection or interven |
tion. He shall be amenable for every such |
resort to the pains and penalties annexed to (
rebellion by the criminal code
Earl Kimberley's decision, setting nj
naught this law, has been made without !
asking for the Hawaiian governments de
cision The remainder of the decision is a
matter of much doubt. In view of the &C.
ton Of Great Britain in the matter of
Nicaragua il is feared that the British
may proceed 10 extreme measures without
submitting the matter to argument or ar
bitration.
If this course should be taken, the re.
public may be asked TO release Rickard
and Walker and pay large indemnity at
once, or il will be threatened with forcble
occupation of the south. IL there should
be forcible occupation 1t would unques.
tionably be followed by instruction and
bloodshed, as the natives would believe il
meant nothing but the forcible restoration
of the ex-queen.
While the dispatch of Earl Kimberley
simply stated that Rickard and Walker
must be protected as British subjects, IL
goes no further and makes no indication
Of the step which would be taken. Ii is
understood that the government will not
admit for a moment that these men are
British subjects, and accept the conse.
quenoes. 1t would leave this matter 10 ar.
bitration as final resort, but will not
yield in any other way.
The many rumors regarding the arrival
ofa filibustering expedition have caused the
government TO charter an island steamer
fer the purpose of patroling Hawaiian
waters TO prevent the landing of arms for
the revolutionists.