Evening star., 1944-10-25
War Safety Curbs Kept
In Hawaii, With Civil |
Rights Fully Restored
BY the Associated Press.

n! the ASSOCIATED Press.
HONOLULU, Oct. 25.-Civil gov.
ernment has returned to Hawaii fol
the first time since the islands were
the target of japanese warfare or
December 7, 1941.
President Roosevelt. 1t. Gen
Robert G. Richardson, jr., Army
commander of the Hawaiian Depart
ment and Gov. Ingram M. Stain
back of Hawaii each announced the
lifting of martial law yesterday.
The most important effect of the
presidential proclamation was to re-
store to Hawaiian citizens the right
of trial in civil courts and the right
of habeas corpus.
Security measures still may be en-
forced by the military, because the
district Is military area" as are
other areas of the United States
notably the East Coast, the West
Coast, the Southern sea frontier and
Alaska, Gov. Stainback said.
Restraints Still Continued.
These measures include, when
considered necessary, the establish
ment of blackout and curfew Pc
riods, air raid precautions, rules and
regulations for the conduct OF
enemy aliens, exercise of antiespion-
age precautions, the control Of
weapons, the regulation of travel,
the regulation Of the publication Of
newspapers in foreign languages
p,1l thn 0f l,o al
tions.
Gov. Stainback long has opposed
martial law and he said he re
joiced with the citizens of the ter
ritory in full restoration of their
constitutional rights"
The President said martial law
now could be abolished as it no
longer is required to assure public
safety.
Court May Yet Rule.
In spite of these developments,
the Supreme Court may yet be
asked to interpret the constitution
ality of the restrictions imposed
upon islands.
Government officials said a case
pending in the 9th Circuit of Ap-
peals in San Francisco, intended as
a constitutionality test of the Ha-
waiian issues, might be appealed to
the high court regardless of the
nature of the circuit courts deci-
sion.
The rule of martial law was held
by some territorial and Federal
officials to have jeopardized the
freedoms for which the United
States is fighting because restric-
tions and surveillance delved deeply
into ordinary civilian activities.
Although a partial restoration of
civilian powers early last year eased
some of these complaints, continued
suspension and habeas corpus re-
suited in a series of conflicts be-
tween civilian and military officials,
including Federal Judge Delbert E.
Metzger and Gen. Richardson.
Judge Metzger had ruled that If
the jurisdiction of civil courts in the
islands was restored in part, as was
done in 1943. it must be restored in
tull, including the right to grant
habeas corpus writ.
Fined $1,000 for Contempt.
When Gen. Richardson refused to
honor such a writ Judge Metzger
fined him $4,000 for contempt of
court. The general replied with
a military order, which he later
rescinded, prohibiting trial of habeas
corpus cases and prescribing a fine
of $1,000 for judges disregarding his
order.
The President since has pardoned
Gen Richardson.
Delegate harrington of Hawaii
hailed the Presidents proclamation
as marking the end of serious un-
certaintieS" as to executive and
judicial powers in the Territory
under martial law.
At the same time, he said, the
executive order accompanying the
proclamation paved the way for
an entirely sound and satisfactory
basis for continuing under military
authority controls essential to the
prosecution of the war