Hawaii Holomua, Volume III, Number 246, 20 June 1893 — MB. THURSTON'S POSITION. [ARTICLE]
MR. THURSTON'S POSITION.
What will Secretary Gresham do with Lorrin Thurston, Minister to the United States from a body of men calling themselves the Provisional Government of Hawaii? This country has not acknowledged the revolutionists; so far as a Hawaiian representative is concerned there has been no political change in the Islands, and at Washington the authorities have remained practically neutral. The appearance of Mr. Thurston is more serious than the raising of the flag in Honolulu. That was the foolish act of an irresponsible servant, whose mental makeup never fitted him for the duties of Minister; it was contrary to that justice which some nations respect and was in no way binding on this Government. The men who have appointed Mr. Thurston to represent them in the United States were anxious to appear to be acting under the sanction of a Government that could not afford to recognize rebels and revolutionists, and they raised the Stars and Stripes as a guaranty to the world that we had adopted them. The American Government repudiated their assumption of protection and hauled down the flag that had been used to excuse and cover their own treason. Mr. Thurston’s appointment will give this Government an opportunity of going on record, and the attitude of Secretary Gresham toward him will be watched with interest. Those who have noted Cleveland’s course in Hawaiian matters will incline to the belief that Mr. Thurston will not be recognized at present as representing
any Government, and that not until Mr. Blount has made his report will the United States do anything that may be construed into a declaration for the revolutionists or monarchists of the islands.