Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-17

Japan's assent to Hawaii's proposal to ar
bitrate is nominal and not real not genu-
inc. Yes, We will arbitrate, but no point
of Importance at issue will we allow to be
discussed
Other matters of disagreement Count
OkIma processes in general terms to be
Wiling 10 arbitrate. OF such points at is
sue he specifies not a single one The
word which you at Washington appear TO
nave received was that the points which
Japan was willing to submit to arbitration
would be specified in letter 10 Honolulu.
ROW mas that promise been kept? Not a
solitary point has been specified by Japan
when she is willing to have arbitrated
one mas named nothing except the two
ohiy conspicuous points at issue. These
Two she absolutely refuses to place before
the aroitrators, namely, the right of her
emlgrants to exhibit borrowed money as
.heir genuine property, and their right I'M
uer treaty 10 enter Hawaii without restric-
uon, ana enjoy all rights and privileges of
fative-born Hawaiians. If there are sny
other questions at issue between Lamar
ana Hawaii. worthy of arbitration, Count
o Tsuna mas not deemed them worth spe-
arpitrate Is utterly hollow.
No Other Material Pofnts nj J..ue
AS matter of fact, there appear to be no
other points at issue of material conse-
quence. Possibly Japan's protest against
the duty discriminating against saki mipnt
be considered such. S;,ki is a potent hire ~,
OF rice wine" common in China and Ia
pan, evil-smellfng. but beloved by Japan-
csc laborers. Large quantities come from
Japan by every steamer. 1t is poisonous
liquor, containing an excess of methylic
alcohoi, which infuriates and disables our
hanaka tpplers. Last year a heavy duty
WAS paced Upon saki SUCH and not al
all as japanese product, so that there is
no ground Tor the charge that Japan is
california light wines were made free of
uuty, as being more wholesome That saki
question Japan would probably be willing
to submit to arbitration by way of giving
color TO the pretense of accepting the
principle
Minister Cooper's reply expresses regret
that his eXcellency's letter does no; more
1uliy define the issues to be submitted A
reply cannot be expected as to whether mis-
proposal to withhold from arbitration the
two questions named "is acceptable. until
the points which the imperial government
are willing to have submitted to arbi;ra-
ucn are definitely made known" He is
therefore. under the necessity of asking
that his excellency fully define such
points. That is the entire substance of the
reply. 1t will be noticed that Mr.. Cooper
wholly abstalns from discussing the vital
Importance of the points excepted as we'll
as from intmating any of the distrust
which is keenly felt by this government to-
ward the course pursued. So far as
Juus"eht may De Ventufed. the reply
seems to be wisely non-committal, and a
good piece of diplomatic fencing
IL must remain for the future to disclose
what are the motives CT the japanese gov
eminent in making mere pretense of COZ
sentlns to arbitration. To say the least
this action does not inspire confidence in
their intentions. 1t only tends to intensity
the belief. otherwise created in their tena-
cious purpose to keep Hawaii open to their
immigrants, made free, as they persist in
alleging. by treaty from all restriction. ana
SO convert Hawaii into a Japanese colony
That such is the fixed and settled purpose
OF Japan seems to be confirmed by this
pertinacious insisting on the extreme con-
struction Of their treaty rights. at the same
time that they put on a semblance of
kindly and reasonable compliance with the
principle of arbitration.
KAMEHAMEHA