The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-07-06

| washington, IL. u, July o.-lne IOfIn-
al protest of Japan against the annexa-
ton of Hawaii to the United States be-
came available to-day. The full CORE
spondence is as follows:
| Legation of Japan,
Washington, June 10, 1897.
| Sir: 1 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 on the
point of concluding treaty an
nextin the Hawaiian is lands to this
country as territorial part thereof. As
| had the honor to state to you, this
| rumor has been repeated during the
past few days with circumstantiality
| of detail which gives 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 ac-
quired by the government of Japan and
/
Hawaii and under the constitution and
| laws of that country.
| 1t is ON this account that | desire to
repeat what | had the honor to state
in our interview to-day that my govern
ment cannot view without concern the
prospects of sudden and complete
change in the status of Hawaii, whereby
L ~ - Vo,a h
jects may be imperilled. While, there
| fore, they confidently rely upon the
States to maintain toward them
just and friendly attitude in
this as in all other matters,
hey feel that under the circum-
stances they cannot be regarded as spec
tators merely, without interest in the
| important change which it has been so
positively asserted is about to take place
in the relations of the United States and
the Hawaiian islands.
For this reason, if it is really true that
a treaty Of annexation is about to be
concluded, l feel that l 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 sanction of law and of treaty?
Accept, Mr.. Secretary, the renewed as
surances of my highest consideration.
TORU HOSHI.
To Hon. John Sherman. Secretary Of
State.
SECRETARY SHERMAN'S REPLY.
To this Secretary Sherman replies as
follows.
Department of State,
Washington, June 16, 1897.
Sir: Replying to your note of the 10Th,
just received, l have to say that the
governments of Hawaii and the United
States by their duly authorized repre-
sentatives, 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 submitted 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 ia
pan and the present Hawaiian govern
ment, my understanding is that the gov
ernment of the United States does not
take upon itself any obligations of the
Hawaiian government arising from trea-
ties or conventions made by it with 9TH
er governments. 1t is believed that there
is nothing in the proposed treaty preju-
dicial to the rights of Japan and GER
tainly the~ United States has no dispo-
sitiOn to disturb the friendly relations
which have long existed between the
government of Japan and this country.
Accept, Mr.. Minister, the renewed
assurance of highest consideration.
| JOHN SHERMAN.
70 Mr.. Toru Hoshi, etc., etc., etc.
| JAPAN'S PROTEST.
| Minister HosM then submitted Japan's
formal protest as follows:
June 10th. 1897.
Legation Of Japan, Washington.
Sir: Referring to the correspondence
,hich has passed between us regarding
he proposed annexation Of the Hawaiian
islands to the United States, I have the
honor to inform you that, having COM
Imunicated with my government upon the
subject, I am now in receipt Of instruc-
tions from His Imperial Majesty's Minis
ter for Foreign Affairs in relation thereto.
Before divulging the nature Of those
instructions, desire to state that, al
though the imperial government could not
have failed to attach due weight to the
statement in your communication to me
of the 10Th instant, that in your opinion
there is nothing in the proposed treaty
Iprejudicial to the rights Of Japan" they
1nsstr nsta a1s1 nave taken note of the fact that
IN abiding in the same communcation.I1
to existing treaties between IapDan and
Hawaii, you state that your understand
ing sis that the government of the Uni
ted States does not take upon itself any
obligations of the Hawaiian government
arising from treaties or conventions with |
other governments"
I have now the honor to inform you |
that am instructed by his Imperial Ma !