The herald., 1897-06-25
JAPANESE OBJECTION
TO AMERICAN ANNEXATION OF
HAWAII
Property Rights Of Asiatic Residents
Seriously Jeopardized and Treaty
Rights Violated

the protest Of Japan to the annexation
of Hawaii to the United States, as read
to the Senate Committee on Foreign
Relations yesterday, was as follows:
The acquisition Of Hawaii to the
United States by annexation would de-
prive resident Japanese in the islands
Of the rights to which they are entitled
under the present treaty with Hawaii.
There are twenty-five thousand Japan
ese in the islands, with large property
rights, and under present conditions
| they are entitled to become citizens of
Hawaii. In case Of annexation these
Japanese could not become citizens of
the United States. as decisions of the
United States Circuit Courts are to the
effect that no Asiatic can become citi-
zen of the United States. BY annexa-
ton the Japanese now resident in Ha-
waii would be subject to any measures
that might be adopted by the United
States; they would lose the right to be-
come citizens and vote; large interests
owned by Japanese citizens on the
Islands would be greatly jeopardized.
Therefore, the Japanese government
must firmly protest against the pro-
posed annexation.
Hawaiiahs in Washington insist that
the reason for the protest Of Japan
against annexation is that Japan really
desires to acquire the islands herself
The main point Of the contention be-
tween Japan and Hawaii over the treaty
between the countries, 1t Is learned, is as
to the wording of the treaty which
Hawaii seeks to abrogate. This treaty
has provision that it may be termin
ated at any time by mutual consent"
This Is construed by the Japanese
government to mean that the treaty
cannot be terminated without the con-
sent of both governments and as long
as Japan insists upon keeping it in force
it cannot be abrogated.
The Hawaiian contention is that the
words have no such meaning, and that
any contract or agreement can be dis
solved by mutual consent as matter
Of course; that If the claim Of Japan is
valid the treaty would be in effect per-
manently. 1t is understood that Japan
insists that the present claims must be
acknowledged and accepted by the
United States in case Of annexation, al
though protesting against annexation.
BRITISH INTEREST
LONDON, June 24.-In the House of
Commons today the Parliamentary Sec-
retary of the Foreign Office, Curzon, re-
piled to the question of Beckett, Con-
servative, regarding the Hawaiian an
nexation. Becket's question was wheth-
a fIoe erox ,v,,aV a \ of
Liluokalani had been deposed by a
small body of Americans, who, without
right or title, assumed sovereignty over
Hawaii, and now, to save themselves
from the resentment of the people, have
requested the American government to
annex Hawaii, and whether Great Brit
ain proposes to allow this most import
ant coaling station to pass into the hands
of the United States without protest.
Curzon said that her Ma ajesty's govern
ment did not feel called upon to express
an opinion relative to the circumstances
out Of which the present situation in
Hawaii has arisen. The government was
aware that proposal to annex Hawaii
to the United States had been submitted
by the President of the United States for
the consideration os the United States
Senate, but no decision had been reached.
Curzon added that it would be the object
of her Majesty's government to see that
whatever rights, according to interna-
tional law,' belong to Great Britain and
British subjects were fully maintained.
The Daily Graphic says editorially to-
day: Japan is likely to defeat her own
ends by addressing a bellicose remon-
STRANGE to the United States upon the
subject of Hawaii. The policy of an
nexation is not very popular in America,
but any attempt at dictation will only be
resented, and will strengthen the case
for the anllexationists by suggestion
Of an eventual Japanese annexation.
A dispatch to the Times from Kobe,
Japan, says that the Japanese newspa-
pers accuse the United States of bad
faith with regard to Hawaii, but that
their tone is generally moderate.
RUSSIAN PROTEST
LONDON, June 24.-The st. Peters,
burg correspondent of the morning Post
says: The Novoe vremya protests vig-
orously against the action Of the United
States as to Hawaii, which, it adds, may
soon be followed by an attempt to- annex
Cuba.
Europe" says the paper, "has every
reason to oppose the Strengthening Of the
United States in the new world, and
must be ready to support Spain If she is
threatened with the loss nf C,1ha