The advocate., 1897-07-14
JAPAN'S MINISTER PROTESTS
Against the Proposed Annexation Of Hawaii
to the United States.

to the United States.
The following diplomatic correspond
enCe was made public last week:
Legation Of Japan, Washington, D.
c., June Is, 1997.-Sir: / beg to call
your attention to the subject Of our in.
terview to-day, the rumor that the
governments Of the United States and
Hawaii are on the point Of concluding
treaty snnexing the Hawaiian Islands to
this country as a territorial part thereof.
AS l had the honor to state to you, this
rumOr has been repeated during the past
few days with O circumstantiality of de-
tail which gives it the appearance OF
authority. 1t not only states positively
that the annexation will soon take place,
but also gives, with apparent precision,
certain portions Of the alleged arrange
ment 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, It is on this ac-
count that desire to repeat what / had
the honor to state in our interview to.
day, that my government cannot view
without concern the prospects Of a
sudden and complete change in the
status Of Hawaii, whereby the rights Of
Japan and Of Japanese subjects may be
imperiled.
dWhile, therefore, they confidently
RELY upon the United States to maintain
toward them q just and friendly attitude
in this as in all other matters, they feel
that under the circumstances they can
not be regarded as spectators merely
without interest in heimportant change
which it has been so positively asserted
is about to take place in the relations of
the United States in the Hawaiian
Islands. For this reason, If it is really
true that a treaty Of annexation is about
to be concluded, / feel that | 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 consideration.
"ToBU HosHI.
"To Hon. John Sherman, Secretary Of
State"
MIR. sHERMAN's REPLY.
To this Secretary Sherman replied as
follows:
Department Of State, Washington,
ID. c., June l6, 1997.-Sir: Replying to
your note Of the 18th inst, just treceived,
have to say that the governments of
Hawaii and the United States, by their
duly authorized representatives, have
signed a treaty annexing the Hawaiian
Islsnds to this country. This has been
done in pursuance of the policy long
since adopted by the United States, and
the treaty will, understand, be sub
mitted to the Senate of the United
States by the President for ratification.
AS to your inquiry as TO the provision
made therein concerning the treaties
which may be in existence between Japan
and the present HSwaiiRn government,
my understanding is that the government
of the United States does not take upon
itself any obligations Of the Hawaiian
government arising from treaties or con
Ventions made by it with Othar govern
ments. It is believed that there ia
in the proposed treaty pref
judicial to the rights OK Japan, and GER
tRinly the United States has no
disposition 10 disturb &he friendly Tela-