The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-07-17
.Innan and Hawaii.

A flood of light is shed upon the
Japanese Hawaiian problem by "a SER
les Of letters recently printed in the
Washington Star, and written by one
of its editors, Mr.. Theodore w. Noyes,
from Toxic and Honolulu. The letters
from Japan. including an extended in
terview with the japanese minister Of
foreign affairs, Count Okuma, indicate
the. recent awakening in Japan. as
consequence of the successful war with
China, of an intense. almost ludicrous
spirit of self-assertiveness, coupled
with conceit that in America would
Immediately provoke ridicule. Japan,
as Mr.. Noyes puts it, 'is just entering
the family of treaty powers, and is
very much afraid that she will not be
recognized; by everybody as on terms
of equality. She is quick to view as
insulting any apparent discrimination
against her. AS a newcomer in a
more elevated stage of international
society she suspects every one of a dis
position to snub her, to laugh at thu
cut of her garments and to criticise
her manners" This supersensitveness
suggests to Mr.. Noyes the wisdom Of
the most scrupulous care on the part
of the United States in the observance
of all the formalities and nicetles of
international etiquette in diplomatic
dealings with that nation. THE Unted
States" he adds. "will Of course,
frame its tariff and decide tie dues-
tion of Hawaiian annexation in ac-
Cordance with the dictates of its iudg-
ment, irrespective of japanese pro-
tests, but in its method of reaching re-
suits which may be displeas.ng to
Japan it can afford to go to the eX-
treme limit of international courtesy.
Japan has been and is a frien1 &C the
nited States, and that friendship
should not be impaired by any neglect
in the obserN ante of formalitias."
That Japan has had acquisitive eyes
fastened on Hawaii for some time Mr.
Noyes is convinced. He learns in Hen q.
olulu that for many years there has
been steady pressure, sometimes by
officials. sometimes by individuals, to
gain representation in the Hawa ian
government for the japanese in the
islands. A high official at Toxic told
him that when Kalakaua was king he
promised such representation to the
japanese. At the time of the revolution
of 1898 the japanese consul general de-
manded of the new government the
right of suffrage for japanese subjects
liz the islands. In Count Okuma's first
communication to the Hawaiian gov
ernment in the pending immigration
controversy he advanced the view that
the treaty between Japan and Hawaii
placed the japanese in the islands on
terms of absolute equality with Ha-
waiians sin civil rights" as we'll as in
the protection of life and property, ana
this proposition was construed by Min
lister Cooper as another instance of
pressure for the right of suffrage, and
reply was made on the basis of this
construction. There has" Mr.. Noyes
adds, been constant effort by indi-
vidual japanese to secure the voting
right. In climate, soil and wages Ha-
waii is a paradise for the Japanese.
They are in love with the country, and
want to take possession, either through
the ballot box or otherwise. Their re-
ported talk both in Hawaii and in
Japan, in the native newspapers and
on the streets. is to the effect that
Hawaii belongs and must continue to
belong to them"
Finally we have Japar's formal pro-
test against American annexation, and
Mr.. Noyes does not believe that that
IA 4 1,
tive than Japan's own covetousness Of
Hawaii. while courteous considera.
ton of the protest may" says he
work some slight delay in voting upon
the annexation treaty, the ultimate
effect of the protest should be to in.
crease the votes in favor of annexation
when the time for action comes. II
throws light upon the real views and
purposes of Japan in respect to tht
islands. 1t shows that Hawaii is to be-
Japanese if not American, and thai
dpnexatlon is the only way to prevent
Its abandonment TO Asia. 1t make!
anneXationists of those who, averse t
annexation except as a last resort, re
fuse to yield to a possible enemy con
troll of 50 important naval and stra
tegetic boint in the adjacent Pacific
and who are unwilling to surrender t
the tender mercies of Japan the pro
gressive American community and gov
ernment in these islands, and will no
permit the civilized and Christian in
stitutions of Hawaii to be submerged
and lost in pagan and Asiatic food.
Mr.. Noyes does not expect war O
serious friction in the premises, but II
a letter dated from Honolulu July h.
offers some advice which is goubly in
teresting in view Of the subsequent dis
patch Of the warship Oregon to Pear
harbOr: "If," says he, rthe Unltet
States and Japan should Unexpected,
Va thrown into collision, the latte
would have the advantage so far a
immediate control ~ the Islands is con
eerned There Are approximately 20,
900 male adults among the Japanes
here. Some of them served In the re
cent war against China, many Of then
have received The drill Of conscripts
Control Of the sea for a time is neces
sary to.arm them fully. But the Mani
wa, tho Japanese protected cruiser Il
IIoDolulu. is through her rapid-nr
guns superior in battery 10 the Phla