Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1914-08-18
aRMSTRONGSAYS
HE Intends To
CONE TO HAWAII
But, He Says in Letter to Star
Bulletin, 1t Won't Be
As a Fel0n

! W. f. Armstrong, former trustee 81
the Moose lodge, now in San Francis
co, under indictment here for alleged
embezzlement and awaiting the out
come of his fight against extradition
has sent to the Star-Balletin the fol
lowing letter in explanation OF his side
of tic matter. He insists strongly
that he is ready TO return to Honolulu
of his own yolition but that he objects
to being brought back as a felon and
/ he declares that there was nothiRs
underhanded in his manner of leaving
Hawaii. The letter follows:
|. San Francisco Cal, Aug. II.
There are a few facts in connection
with my arrest and detention here that
/ would like to have you make pub
lie, not by publishing this letter in
the usual way. but as an interview,
and as facts that can be sustained.
In thesfirst place, am willing to
return to Honolulu and face the
charges brought against me there, and
have been willing from the first and
my fight on extraditien Is only to keep
from being taken back In custody as
felCn. When | was arrested ! yolun-
teered to go back on July - at my
own expense with Mr.. G. S. Leithead
who was here at the time, il the Ho-
nolulu authorities would have me re-
leased here in order to give me day
or so in which to get my affairs in
shape and to make provision for my
family while / would be away. The
authorities there would not allow this
hut insisted en- sending for me, there
by putting some one to an expense. i
served a writ on the au-
thorities here and 1t was at my sug.
gestion that it was made returnabie
on the oath, after the arrival of the
deputy sent for me. thereby saving
some one about $4,000 cable charges,
as it would have been necessary to
cable the indictment if made return
able before his arrival. Upon the writ
coming before the court on the oath,
the authorities here had no return but
instead Of releasing me the hearing
was put over one day. a very unusual
When it was heard on
the 25th, / was discharged and as the
warrant was not signed, /
was held in custody by no right ex-
cept might until the warrant was
signed. When found that fight was
wanted, apparently. where | did not
want to fight / resolved to go into it
and fight to the best of my ability to
keep from being taken back but to be
allowed tc return as had come away, |
Of my own free will When left Ho-
1olulu ! left openly, my friends know.
ng for weeks ahead that I was going |
ind it was not in any sense of the |
word a getaway" I expected to re-
urn to Honolulu If things did not look |
good here and had a position to step |
nto about Sept Is
MY fight on extradition is on a |
Joint that has never been raised be-
ore, and the opinion here among those
Who know is that we are in the right |
ind will win. But win or lose, / am |
,oing to return The difference lies
n the manner of going. ~ :. ~.
CAS- matter of fact, this should not
ave been allowed to go to the courts
nut should have beer settled and |
ought in the lodge But of course
-ou have heard only one side of the
natter.
Thanking you in advance for any
pace you may allow in the Star-Bul.
etin, and again assuring you that
m willing to return. but IN my own
vay, I am,
Respectfully. r..
signed) CIV. T. ARMSTRONG"
325 Sd Ave, San Francisco.