The Hawaiian gazette., 1893-04-04
THE CONSUL FILES A GENERAL
DENIAL.
HIS Is INTERVIEWER BY AN AD-
vERrISER REPoRTER - THE
JAPANESE VIEW OF THF
SIrUArIoN-NO NOTICE
FROM BLoUNT.

the Consul for Japan, has beer
rather FESTIVE under the numerou,
newspaper statements which have
lately been made in regard to tht
political intentions of Japan. He
was closeted with the American
Minister for an hour yesterday
morning, and also sought an inter
view with General Hartwell. Las
night he was interviewed by al
ADVERTISER reporter, who asked
him if ne had any statement tC
make with regard to the rumors
current about the threatening atti,
tude OF Japan.
They are all absolutely false, y
said the Consul, Strengthening him
self up, there is no foundation for
any of them whatever"
But is it not true that the Ma
niwa has large supply Of small
arms on board?"
Not at all. She may have arms
for her marines and sailors, but
that is all"
4 suppose suggested the re-
porter, that such cruisers carry a
f. pretty liberal supply of arms. any
way?n
On this point Mr.. Fugii pro-
fessed ignorance. Questioned as to
the statement made some time
since in the ADVERTISER, that there
were thousand or fifteen hundred
trained soldiers among the Japanese
on this island, the Consul admitted
that there were probably some,
he did not know how many. 1--WE
have the system of general enlist
mentr you know, the same as in
France and Germany"
That is, every able-bodied man
of military age, has to serve in the
army?'
mo, not every one. A certain
number are drawn every year. The
general plan is the same as the
European"
The Consul strongly denied that
the Captain of the Naniwa had
made any Of the remarks attribu-
ted to him. THE Captain is a
very modest, quiet gentleman,
and l am sure he would not do
anything of the kind. The Captain
himself denies entirely having
said anything of the kind.
Japan" added Mr.. Fugii, has no
idea of interfering in Hawaiian
affairs, and I have never interfered
in any way. Of course if she had
any such idea, one vessel would not
be enough to do anything, as you
know"
"Are there any more coming"
asked the reporter.
Il do not know of any. When
my despatch was received, they
sent the NaniWa to protect Japan
ese interests, not knowing but that
there might be bloodshed and
trouble. Revolutions are not gen.
orally so bloodless as they are in
Hawaii, you know" continued Mr..
Fugii with the suspicion of
twinkle in his eye.
The Consul reiterated his assur-
ance that the policy of the country
he represented was one of strict |
non-interference. In response to q |
that she might not be
unwilling to get control here if q
convenient opportunity offered, he |
denied that she had any desire |
for control. Japan has enough to |
do at home"
The Consul declined to state
whether he had lodged any protest
with the Provisional Government
against the proposed annexation of |
the country to the American
Union. He said, however, that it
was the intention of the Japanese
Government to claim the franchise
for their subjects, on the same con-
ditions as those under which citi-
zens of other nations were admit
ted to vote There was no desire
to abrogate any contracts and
of the convention
which would follow upon six
months notice by either party
would not as he understood the |
matter, have any such effect.
In reply to q question the Consul
stated that he had received no
from Commissioner
BlOunt that the United States
would not suffer the interference |
Of any foreign power in Hawaiian
affairs.
Have you had no communica-
ton OF any kind from Mr.. BIount,"
asked the reporter.
1