The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1898-09-07
NOT PASSING ON CLAIMS
so SENATOR CULLOM TELLS ONE
OF THE EXPATRIATED.
The Troubles of 1895 and Minister
Willis Apathy Before the Commits
sion-Japanese Representative.

1t was o'clock last night when the
Annexation Commissioners adjourned,
having been in session for eight
hours during the day. The proceed
ings consisted of solid talking but on
what subjects could not be learned.
The Commission met again at 8
o'clock this morning. An hour later
S. Hirai, the japanese Consul Eleve,
was given private audience of twen-
ty minutes.
At 1920 the doors were thrown OPP
en- to the general public, which con-
sisted of about six persons, and in
response to the request of Chairman
Cullom for any person to come for
ward who wished a hearing, G.. B.
Sweger advanced to the foot of the
Commissioners table and announced
that he appeared in behalf of one
Henry A. Jouen. and for the purpose
of making an argument in support of
memorial addressed by him to the
Commission in Jouen's behalf and fill
ed several days ago. The nature of
the memorial, which was not read
this morning, appears from the argu-
ment made.
Mr.. Sweger, who by the way, says
he formerly practiced law in Illinois,
and has known Senator Cullom for
many years, said:
1.-The memorial which the Commits
sion has in it's possession presents the
evidence upon which II. \. Jouen now
claims damages from the Hawaiian
government for illegal Imprisonment
and forcible eXpatriation during the
year 1895, after the so-called revolu-
tionary troubles. Immediately after
Jouen's expiration by order of the
government, his brother laid his case
before Albert S. Willis, then Minister
to Hawaii from the United States,
claiming damages as an American cit
izen for illegal Imprisonment and eX-
pulsion from the country Minister
Willis advised against forwarding the
case to Washington and finally ignor-
ed it. Mr.. Jouen's brother, however,
sent the claim to the State Depart
ment against the advice of Minister
Willis and some time afterward re-
ceived n notification to the effect that
his proper remedy was to exhaust the
resources of the local courts before
appealing to the State Department.
The Washington authorities were evil
IDENTIFY not aware that the executive
and advisory councils had prepared
| for such an emergency by passing a
| law prohibiting the courts from hear
ing claims against the government
arising out of the revolutionary troub-
les of 1896"
Save by permission of the Legisla-
ture," interposed President Dole.
You are correct" continued Mr..
| Sweger, "and of course Jouen could
never get the permission of the Leg
| islature. The facts of Mr.. Jouen's ma
tionalty are well established. He is
a native of the United States and had
exercised the prerogatives of a citizen
of the United States for eight years
previous to 1894, when he was grant
ed letters of denization by this gov
ernment These letters (reading them)
expressly state that the person to
whom they are granted does not for
felt his previous citizenship. Jouen
has never been other than an Ameri-
can citizen, de jure and de facto, and
no questions have ever been raised as
to his qualifications in any way. Min
ister Willis should have referred this
mans claim to Washington, but as he
did not, am here to request that this
| commission Will Jake SuCn dcJlOn dS
will result in the claim being investi-
gated by the State Department"
| Senator Cullom said; "This Com
mission is not passing on claims of
this sort However, we will see what
can be done"
No other person being present who
had anything to offer, the Commis-
sion then resumed its executive ses-
sion.
Harry Jouen, whose claim was
brought before the Commission this
morning, was in the employ of Mar
shall Hitchcock as a detective, but he
was suspected of being implicated in
the revolution. He was accordingly
arrested, imprisoned for some time,
and finally deported.