The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1895-03-21
Senator Hale Declares Himself
in the ThurstOn Matter
NO EXCLUSIVE INFORMATION
Hoped Nothing Would Occur to Strain
Relations With Dole
The Demand for the Recall of the Minister
Is an Unwarranted and Also an
unprecedented One


ments, regarding the row between Secre-
tary Gresham and Minister Ihurston
shows that when Gresham became con-
WINGED that the Hawaiian representative
had been talking to newspaper men he
became very angry.
Later Secretary Gresham sent for Minister
Thurston. He took Thurston into prl-
vate room, and in a white rage accused
him of giving official information to
American newspapers before communl-
eating it to the department. Secretary
Gresham says the Hawaiian Minister adj
mitted his act had been 'undiplomatie.
The entry of the occurrence on the state
DEPARTMENT records state the fact and II
is important, as the records Will form the
official history of the occurrence. Minis
ter Tnurston today declined to say
whether he admitted it was 'undlplo-
matte" 1t was Il remarkable admission
for him to make if he did, under the
spell OF Secretary Gresham's sweatbox.
Old diplomats say that such an admls-
sion from a diplomat would forever dis
qualify him for future service in his cho-
sen field and cover him with everlasting
disgrace.
The records OF the State Department
snow UIldI UUC tldN&lidIl hilliistCI dolHAcsNNs
he had been guilty of an undipiomatlc
act but that he declined to comply with
Secretary Gresham's request to put the
fact in writing.
This brings Thurston' case on all fours
with the celebrated Catacasey, which
caused so much comment during the adj
ministration of President Grant. Cata-
casey was the Russian Minister here and
it had been clearly shown by the testi-
mony of the newspaper men concerned
that he furnished the substance Tor
articles published in the New DIRK World
attacking the foreign policy OF the admin
istration and criticisng bitterly the attl-
tude OF the United States toward Russia,
then involved in serious dispute with
Great Britain. The Minister speciti-
caly denied the responsibility for
the publication although it was
undoubtedly brought home to him
and shown that he had revised the manu-
script before it was printed. There were
other grievances against the minister
growing out OF allegations of immortality
and improper conduct towards the Per-
kins claim then pending, although those
matters were not made grounds of official
complaint. On June 16 Secretary Fish,
by the direction of President Grant,
directed our minister to Russia 80 inform
the Russian government that the conduct
of MIR. Catacasey both officially and per-
sonally have been for some time past such
rs to impair hisEusefulness to this govern
Juent and render intercourse either for
business or social purposes disagreeable.
Under these circumstances the interests
Of both countries would be promoted and
relations displayed on a surer footing if
the Russian legation here was to be
changed.
Latest mail from Honolulu has arrived.
Minister Thurston declined to state
whether it contained anything bearing on
the request of Secretary Gresham for Mr..
Illusions recall. The Minister main
tains the absolute silence on the Su bject
that he has since the report first appeared.
The legation office is open to callers, how
ever, and the usual business proceeds
hriskly between Minister Thurston and
Mr.. Hastings, secretary OF the legation.
The moment the recall is mentioned, MI
Thurston and his assistant lapse into
silence. 1t is believed from the fact that
the communication relating to Minister
Thurston was sent February 21st., that
there has been ample time for a reply from
the Hawaiian Government in the mail
lust received. Secretary Gresham's note
reached San Francisco i'll time to catch
q boat which would arrive at Honolulu
about the last of February, Since then
several steamers have left Honolulu,
the last one reaching San Francisco
and Vancouver respectively, about a week
ago. They brought the official mail,
which has now arrived at the legation.
1t is known that it contains q long COM
municaton from Mr.. Hatch the Hawai-
ian Minister of Foreign Affairs, as Mr..
Hastings received a brief message saying
that such a communication was on its
way If the Hawaiian Government has
replied, Mr.. Thurston would be the natu-
raj and only channel OF communication to
the State Department, as he remains the
official representative of Hawaii until his
recall is actually accomplished That
Secretary Gresham asked for Mr.. Thurs
toms recall there is no longer any doubt,
though the manner in which it was put
is not yet known. 1t is supposed the
Hawaiian Government will communicate
with its minister and seek his version OF
the circumstances before acceding to
Secretary Gresham S request. which In a
measure implies personal affront to the
individual under the circumstances. The
communication from Hawaii ii it refers
10 the recall, as is thought extremely
likely, may be a short reply to Gresham S
request. Further developments, there
fore, will be watched with great interest,
especially the answer of Hawaii as a de-
Clinaton to accede to Secretary Gresham s
request doubtless would be followed by
Minister Thurston being given his pass
ports, an act equal to the severance OF
diplomatic relations.
In connection with the later Hawaiian
developments, criticism is made by mem-
bers OF Congress still in the city of the
failure of the Secretary of State to trans
nit information of his act to Congress
prior to its adjournment March 4th.
The request for Mr.. Thurston recall
was dispatched prior to February DIST.
Congress had been informed officially that
the Government would keep it posted on
Hawaiian affairs, and that it would be
supplied with the correspondence
relating thereto. Notwithstanding this,
the Congressman say that no
Senator Hale of Maine was among the
most Jealous defenders of the Hawaiian
republic ON the floor of the senate, but he
does not support Mr.. Thurston in the
matter OF the minister's reported recall at
the instance Of Secretary Gresham on the
facts SO far developed
II have no inside or exclusive informa-
ton, he said in discussing the matter
today. but the published reports say that
Mr.. lhurston 5 recall has been asked be-
cause he made public diplomatic cores
pondence before submitting it to the Sec
rotary. II this is correct he was clearly in
The wrong and could not EXPECT that the
Secretary would ito otherwise than ask for
ms recall. 1t was clearly a breach OF
official etiquette and is practice which
{his country cannot afford 10 encourage.
There might be times when such course
would lead to serious consequences. and
II matters OF international importance
are 70 be SO treated by the representatives
OF foreign governments we might as well
not have State Department.
II have beard ii suggested " continued
the senator, that there was some 1,rp-