The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1896-07-14
Is MADE THE BASIS FOR MUCH
POLITICAL SPECULATION.
Theories of Nernacular Papers-Fran-
chise for Coolies-IIawaii-A
Russia and Japan

The departure of Count Matsu for
Hawaii, for the purpose of recouping
his health, has elected various COM
ments from the Tokyo papers. The
Mainichi hopes that his journey will
lead to full recognition of the rights of
japanese emigrants in the Sandwich
Islands. 1t recounts many wrongs, to
which, it alleges, Japanese emigrants
have been subjected since the downfall
of the Hawaiian Kingdom, for it was
between the Royal Government and
Japan that the original contract re-
lating to the emigration of japanese
laborers had been concluded.
The so-called wrongs" cited by the
Mainichi are reduction of wages and
deprivation of the franchise, which
was at first accorded to japanese emil
grants just as to Europeans and Amer
leans.
After expressing surprise at the in
difference shown by the Japanese
Government while its people abroad
are subjected with impunity to these
disabilities and injustices the Main
ichi trusts that the eX-Foreign Min
lister will observe the actual state of
affairs in Hawaii, and will pave the
way to recovering for japanese sub
jects in the islands their rights and
privileges.
The KoRumin has some still more
remarkable articles. The departure
of the Count for Hawaii is understood
by it as being closely connected with
the Korean policy of Japan. 1t dis
cusses the subject in three essays. one
devoted to 'the journey of the Count; :"
another to % the change of Japan's
Korean Policy" and the third, to ''the
return of Marshal Iamagata." In
these three articles it examines the
question of Japans relations with
America and Russia, especially in re-
spect of her attitude towards Korea.
This empire, writes the Kokumin,
greatly alienated the good feeling of
America by treating her with indit-
ference, under the fatally erroneou.
impression that the foreign policy Of
the United States is based strictly on
the principle of not interfering in the
affairs of other countries.
The umbrage that Japan's attitude
towards America has given the latter,
must have done much injury to this
| country, as, for instance, in connec-
| ton with affairs between it and Korea
and China. Hence the relations be-
tween the two trans-Pacific powers
may be assumed to be in a very crit
ical state.
A collision seems imminent with
Hawaii, and the cabinet being very
much alarmed. the departure of the
eX-Foreign Minister for Honolulu is
not to recoup his health so much as
to restore the old friendly relations.
The Kokumin cannot say whether
Count Mutsu's departure was the re
suit of conference between him ant
the cabinet, or whether is was an out
come of his own Independent action
The questions that naturally aris,
in connection with Count Mutsu'
travel are three: namely, whether it,
object is first. to concilate the goot
will of America; secondly, to smooth'
the relations between Japan and Rus
sia by means of Americas kind inter
cession; or, thirdly, to thwart the ac
tion of Russia by the aid of America
The first and second would be useless
or even injurious, and ought not to b.
attempted. But if the object of th'
journey concerns the last point TIL
issue will be interesting, for il will
settle the question of the Counts re
naming in the Cabinet or SEVERN;
his connection with it.