The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-07-06
TORU HOSHI'S PROTEST
AGAINST THE ANNEXATION OF HA-
WAII BY THIS COUNTRY.
Text of the Correspondence Between
the Japanese Minister and Mr.. Sher-
man-The Sealeries Dispute.

WASHINGTON, July 5.-The formal pro-
test of Japan against the annexation of
Hawaii to the United States became availa-
BILE to-day The full correspondence is as
follows the first letter being from Minister
Toru Hoski, of Japan, to Secretary Sher-
man, under date of June Is:
Sir beg to again call your attention
to the subject of our interview to-day, the
rumOr that the governments of the United
States and of Hawaii are the point of
concluding treaty anneXing the Hawaiian
islands to this country as territorial part
YOU this rumor has been repeated during
the past few days with a circumstantiality
of detail which gives it the appearance of
authority. 1t not only states positively that
the annexation VIII soon take place, but
also gives with apparent precision certain
portions of the alleged arrangement which
directly affects the rights acquired by the
government of Japan and Japanese subjects
by the treaties with Hawaii and under the
Constitution and laws of that country 1t
IS on this account that l desire to repeat
what | had the honor to state in our inter-
view 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 Japanese
subjects may be mperiled. While there
fore, they confidently rely upon the United
states to maintain towards them Just and
friendly attitude in this as in all other
matters, they feel that under the circum-
stances they cannot be regarded Spccta-
tors merely, without interest in the impor-
tant change which it has been so positively
asserted is about to take place in the re-
lationS of the United States and the Ha-
%aiian islands.
For this reason, if it is really true that
a treaty of annexation is about to be con-
Guided | feel that | am justified in inquir-
ing from you, Mr., Secretary, what provi-
sion has been made therein for the preser-
walton and maintenance of the rights ac
quired by Japan in her intercourse with
Hawaii under the solemn sanctions of law
and OF treaty. ft
To this Secretary Sherman replied as fol-
lows on June 16:
''Sir-Repying to your note of the 18th
inst, just received, | have to say that
the governments of Hawaii and the United
States by their duly authorized representa-
tives. have signed treaty annexing the
Hawaiian islands 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 submits d
President for ratification. AS TO your in
quiry as to the provision made therein con-
corning the treaties which may be iii eX-
istence between Japan and the present
Hawaiian 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 conventions made by II with
other governments. 1t is believed that
there is nothing in the proposed treaty
prejudicial to the rights of Japan, and GER
,ainly the United States has no disposition
to disturb the friendly relations which have
long existed between the government of
Japan and this country"
Minister Hoshi, on Jan. 19, submitted ia
pans formal protest as follows:
''Sir-Referring to the correspondence
which has passed between us regarding the
proposed annexation of the Hawaiian ISLAND
to the United States | have the honor to
inform you that having communicated
with my government on the subject, | am
now in receipt of instructions from his I'M
pcrial Majesty s minister OF foreign afralrS
in relation thereto. Before dlVulging the
nature of those instructions l desire to
state that although the imperial govern
MT n
weight to the statement in your commune
cation to me of the 10th inst. that, in your
opinion, there is nothing in the proposed
treaty prejudicial to the rights of Japan,
they must also have taken note of the
fact that in alludinS in the same communi-
cation TO existing treaties between Japan
and Hawaii, you state that your under
standing is the government Of the United
States does not take upon itself any obliga-
ton of the Hawaiian government arising
from treaties or conventions with other
governments | have now the honor to in
form you that l am instructed by his I'M
perlal Majesty's government to formally
protest against the proposed annexation of
the Hawaiian islands to the United States.
This protest is made for the following
reasons:
''First-The maintenance of the statu quo
of Hawaii is essential to the good under
standing of the powers which have inter-
estS in the Pacific.
''Second-The annexation of Hawaii
would tend to endanger the residential,
commercial and industrial rights of Japan
csc subjects in Hawaii secured to them
by treaty and by the constitution and laws
of that country.
''Thrd-Such annexation might lead to
the postponement by Hawaii of the settle
ment of claims and liabilities already ex-
listing in favor of Japan and under treaty
stipulations.
with reference to the mschieVOus sug-
gestion or report which has been so indus
triously circulated in this country and else
where that Japan has designs against the
integrity or sovereignty OF Hawaii. l am
further instructed by the imperial govern
ment to state most emphatically and I'M
equivocally that Japan has not and never
had such designs. or designs of any kind
whatever against Hawaii.
Permit me to add in conclusion Mr.
Secretary, that in making this protest, and
in asking full and careful consideration
for it. the imperial government are actu-
ated by what they regard as an imperative
duty. and not in the remotest degree by a
desire 10 embarrass the United States
They prize most highly the cordial rela-
tons which have always existed between
our countries, and they confidently trust
that their representations of this occasion
will be received in that spirit of justice
and fair dealing which has so notably char
acterized the intercourse of Japan and the
United States"
Then followed Secretary Sherman's reply
which has already been published