The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1897-06-22

YOKOHAMA. June S.-The Yorodzu
publishes the following, Although ne
rCaauc-s have been going on between
Nj Shfmauu-a. japanese Minister at
Honolulu. and the Hawaiian Govern
ueut progress Is slow. Report has
even reached us that the authorities
Sre q opinion that it viii take three
months before the question is settled.
Private celesrans also report that the
Hawaiian Government has refused 10
admit cur claims. but the Government
has received no information about il
The whole matter is shrouded in utter
darkness. SO that one cannot arrive at
any definite conclusion. What We most
doubt however. is the obstinate re-
sistance displayed by the Hawaiian
Government Evidently this is due
TO the fact that the United States is
playing the role OF a wire-puller
Though ouJwardly the trouble is be
tween Japan and Hawaii, il may be
said that in reality we are dealing
with America in the negotiations.
When the trouble first sprung up the
Government Immediately dispatched
the NauiWa. and now the Hiyei has
been instructed TO proceed TO Honolu-
lU- Now. on the receipt of a report
that Hawaii had refused TO accept
Japan's claim. the Nainichi. a Gov
eminent organ. advises the authorities
10 send more warships TO Hawaii.
while communications between the
Government and the Minister at
Washington have become more fire.
Quent We are greatly surprised at the
uuskilful diplomatic ability of Count
Okuua Should he fail TO take any
decisive measures on account Of the
United States being AT the hack of
Hawaii, the people will laugh at Japan
being humiliated by a small Island
such as Hawaii.
The Asahi writes in different
strain. r Saws since the negotiation
was opened with Hawaii on Nav 11th
no official report on its proceedings
has been received We cannot. there
fore, sUruise how II viii come about
after all The Government. however.
fully recognizes that the matter at is
sue was q breach of the emigration
treaty and is prepared TO cOmnel Ha-
wGii 20 bear out her responsibilities.
To such vague proposal as leaving the
matter 20 arbitration the Government
Is not inclined TO agree. For a time
Hawaii seeing that she was in the
wrong appeared TO be desirous of
bringing the matter 10 a peaceful set
81
now 10 have changed. for IL is rumored
that she Is not prone TO accept our
claim and in consequence. the matter
is very complicated. As to the conduct
OF the Hawaiian Government in the
recent emigrant affair. Great Britain.
Germany. France and various other
countries all concur in their opinion
that Hawaii has, by so doing. violated
the comfy Of nations. and they sym
pathize with US.
Though Hawaii persists in upholding
her mistaken contention throughout.
she has no legal ground OF objection.
except that she maintains on the
strength OF preliminary agreements
for engaging laborers, that the free
labOrers were really contract laborers.
Such an objection is too weak 10 null
lily our claim. Under the circum-
stances Hawaii will at last admit our
claim. asking US TO give way TO q GER
tain extent in the matter of the com
pensation. Some attribute the delay of
the negotiation 10 the United States in
stigating Hawaii, but the question of
annexing Hawaii by the United States
is not at present welcomed in political
circles Of the latter country. More
over the question of the repeal of the
reciprocal treaty existing between the
two countries has of late sprung up.
In the face Of these facts, the Hawai-
ian Cabinet, though it consists of Am
ericans, would not insist on the frivo-
lous ground Of relying on the United
States.