Mr. Willis to Mr. Gresham.
Honolulu , March 28, 1895 . (Received April 15.)
Sir: I inclose a certified copy of the record1 in the case of Louis Marshall, an American citizen, and others tried before a military commission on the 17th, 18th, and 19th days of January, 1895, on a charge of treason.
In addition to the questions presented in the record, it may be proper to note the fact that, while over fourscore citizens of this country who were actively and prominently connected with the uprising have been punished by imprisonment for five years without fine, this young man, who is not proven to have fired a shot, and who seems to have been drawn into the affair by a boyish spirit of adventure, has been, although without means, fined the sum of $10,000 and imprisoned at hard labor for a term of twenty years. More than twenty Hawaiians, who at the time of the disturbance were stationed at the ex-Queen’s residence, well armed and ready for action, were released without punishment. Thomas Pool, also Hawaiian, the self-confessed slayer of Hon. Charles L. Carter, was sentenced to ten years’ imprisonment without fine.
Whether such apparent discrimination against a citizen of the United States can be justified under our treaty or under international law is one, among other questions in this case, now submitted for your consideration.
With renewed assurances, etc.,
- Not printed.↩