The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1897-07-09

lands.
Washington. July 5.-Tne formal
protest Of japan against the annexa-
ton OF Hawaii to the United States
became available today. The full cor
r~espondence is as follows:
Legation Of Japan.
washington. June i, 1897.
Sir: I beg 10 again call your atten-
ton to n subject of our interview to-
day-the rumor that the governments
Of the United States and Of Hawaii
are on the point of concluding a trea-
ty. annexing the Hawaiian islands TO
this ountr as a territorial part there
Of. AS had the honor to state to YOU,
this rumor has been repeated during
the past few days with a circumstan-
TALLY of detail which gives ii the APP
| pearance of authority. 1t not only
| states positively that the annexation
will soon take place, but also gives.
| with apparent precision, certain por-
tfons of the alleged arrangement which
| directly affect the rights acquired by
| the government of Japan and Japanese
| subjects by treaties with Hawaii and
| under the constitution and laws of
that country.
1T is on this account that I desire to
| repeat what l had the honor to state
in our interview tOday-that my gov
| eminent cannot view without concern
| the prospects of a sudden and COM
| plete change in the status Of Hawaii,
whereby the rights of Japan and of
| Japanese subjects may be imperiled.
| While, therefore, they confidently rely
upon the United States to maintain
toward them a just n friendly atti-
tude in this as in all other matters,
they feel that under the circumstances
they cannot be regarded as spectators
merely, without interest in the inn
pOrtant change which it has been 50
| positively asserted is about to AXE
| place in the relations of the United
States and the Hawaiian islands For
| this reason, if it is really true that a
treaty of annexation is abOu to be
| concluded, I feel that I am justified
in inquiring from you, Mr.. Secretary,
what provision has been made therein
| for the preservation and maintenance
| Of the rights acquired and enjoyed by
| Japan in her intercourse with Hawaii
under the solemn sanctions of law and
| of treaty.
accept. Mr.. Secretary, the renewed
assurances of my highest considera-
| ton. TORU HOSHI.
'"To Hon. John Sherman, secretary
of state"
To this Secretary Sherman replied as
follows:
Department OF State.
"WashingtOn, June 16, 1897.
"Sir: Replying to your note Of the
| 18th instant, just received, I have to
say that the governments of Hawaii
and the United States, by the duly au-
thOrized representatives, have signed q
! treaty anneXing the Hawaiian islands
to this country. This has been done in
pursuance of the policy long since
adopted by the United States, and the
treaty will, I understand. be submit
ted to the senate of the United States
by the president for ratification. AS
| to your inquiry as to the provisions
| made therein concerning the treaties
| which may be in existence between the
| Japan and the present Hawaiian gov
| eminent, my understanding is that the
| government Of the United States does
not AXE upon itself any obligation of
the Hawaiian government from trea-
ties or conventions made by it with
| other governments. 1t is believed that
there is nothing in the proposed treaty
| prejudicial to the rights of Japan and
| certainly the United States has no dis
| position to disturb the friendly rela-
| tons which have long existed between
| the government of Japan 4 this
! country.
Accept. Mr.. Minister. the renewed
| assurance of my highest consideration
Ohm SHERMAN.
; 'To Mr.. Toru Hoshi, Etc, Etc, Etc"
Minister Hoshi then submitted ia
l na ne formal nrGt est 1S follows.
Legation of Japan,
washington, Jun 10, 1897.
Sir: Referring to the correspond
! ence which has passed between us re-
| garding the proposed annexation of the
| Hawaiian stands to the United States,
I have the honor to inform you that
| having communicated with my gov
| m upon the subject, l am now in
| receipt of instructions from his impe-
| rial majesty's minister for foreign af-
| fairs in relation thereto.
Before diVulging the nature of those
| Instructions, l desire to state that, al
| though the imperial government could
| not have failed to attach due weight to
| the statement in your communication
| tc me of the 18th instant that, in yOur
| opinion. there is nothing in the pro-
posed treaty ~prejudicial to the rights
| of Japan they must also have taken
note of the fact tina in abiding in the
same communication to existing trea-
| ties between Japan and Hawaii. you
states that your understanding is that
the government of the United States
does not take upon itself any Obliga-
tons of the Hawaiian government
erising from treaties or conventions
with other governments
Il have now the honor to inform you
that l am instructed by his imperial
majesty's government to formally pro
test against the proposed annexation
of the Hawaiian islands 10 the United
States. This protest is made for the
following reasons:
Il. The maintenance of the status quo
of Hawaii is essential to thu good I'M
d~erStanding CT the powers which have
interests in the Pacific.
-. The an~neXation of Hawaii would
tend to endanger the residential. COM
mercial and industrial rights of Jap
anese subjects in Hawaii. secured to
them by treat and by the constitu-
ton and laws of hat country.
40 SS.ol ~,s~I% Load ~ 49,