The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1893-08-22
THOSE JAPANESE DEMANDS.

For several months past it has
been unofficially known here that
the Japanese government has been
pressing its demand that Japanese
subjects be granted the same rights
of suffrage accorded Americans and
Europeans in Hawaii under the
present law. 1t is understood that
this policy was first preached when
the japanese cruiser Naniwa was
here several months ago, and that
it took form later in direct demands
made upon the Provisional govern
ment.
For time it was generally I'M
derstood that these demands had
been dropped, and, upon the best
authority that could be obtained
at the time, such announcement
was made both here and abroad.
At the same time there were many
who were of the opinion that the
policy of Japan had only been tenn
porarily suspended, and later events
have proved such surmises to have
been we'll founded.
Within the last few weeks it was
learned upon reliable authority
that the japanese demands for the
voting franchise had not only been
renewed, but were being pressed
upon the Provisional government,
with the condition that some guar
antee should be officially given that
such rights would be granted Jap
anese subjects residing in Hawaii.
1t is understood that the demands
included all the political and
voting privileges now granted by
law to the sojourning residents of
the United States and Europe. 1t
has since been learned that in case
such demands were not granted by
the Provisional government, in
all probability the parliament
of Japan would not allow the
further importation of japanese
laborers into these islands.
1t is not understood, however, that
the threatened action of Japan
would go to the length of attempt
ing to withdraw the present Japan
csc laborers from the country, which
would clearly be in violation of the
law of contracts.
In any event the fact that the
demands had been made and that
the Provisional government was
considering what action in the
premises should be taken, was
brought to the attention of Minis |
ter Blount shortly before his de- |
parture, who saw fit to interfere in
the matter. This resulted in the |
American minister addressing an
official note to the Provisional gov
eminent in which, it is understood,
he advised the executive council to |
take no further steps in the mat
ter until the American minister, or |
the Provisional government through |
the proper source, received further |
instructions in the premises from |
the home government at Wash
ington. AT the present writing we
are informed no further diplomatic
correspondence relating to the mat
ter has been received either from
the japanese or the Washington
governments.
While it is not known outside of
government circles what grounds
the American minister based his
interference upon, or what was the
particular point raised in his objec-
ton to Japanese interference at
the present time, it is understood
he thought the consideration of
the japanese demands was not
consistent with the determination
and settlement of American inter
ests in Hawaii, now pending before
the Washington government.
1t Is believed that the stand
taken by Minister Blount in
this matter is in harmony
with the United States policy to be
pursued toward Hawaii, pending
the adjustment of the questions