The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-06-28

WASHINGTON. June 2--The Japanese
position on the annexation OF Hawaii by
the United States has become known
from very high source. The Japanese
base their opposition to annexation al
most entirely upon the ground that ii is
All interference with the treaty rights OF
japan, and complain especially that the
treaty was negotiated in the face OF
the most friendly prctestations from ia
pan. and at time when the Japanese
authorities had been led 10 believe that
no such treaty would be undertaken. The
following may be taken as an absolutely
accurate outline OF the position or tho
Japanese legation at Washington:
The Japanese insist. as on all former
occasions, that the Japanese government
has not now and has never had any de-
signs against Hawaii. This they consider
a most important point, because of talk
about colonization, which they say mas
apparently had SO much weight in the
discussion OF the question.
They contend that the Japanese first
went to Hawaii in response to the demand
for labor the island. under provisions
OF treaty concluded in lsse al the solici-
tations OF the Hawaiian government. They
call attention TO the fact that the Japanese
government has always been averse to
having their people go abroad as coolies"
as the Chinese do, and that the govern
immigration. AS a consequence. the Ha-
waiian treaty was SO worded as to pre-
vent even the suspicion of anything like
coolie labor. The interests of all parties
were they say, protected. and as con-
sequence the Hawaiian planters secured
a high class of agricultural labor upon fair
terms and under circumstances that did
not give the least occasion for dislike and
opprobrium. which generally attach TO
contract labor. This treaty. they say,
worked admirably for years and until the
planters became FESTIVE under the condi-
tons imposed by the treaty. thinking, the
Japanese hold, that they could secure la
Dor pore cheaply with the restrictions re-
moved.
AT the same time the question of an
nexation came up, and the adherents of
union with the United States thought it
would be necessary TO make a change in
the method OF obtaining the labor abso-
luteiy necessary to the prosperity of Hle
sugar industry of the islands. This was.
they claim, the origin of the so-called
voluntary system of immigration OF
Hawaii.
The development of this situation led to
the framing by the Japanese government
of its emigration law. This law is very
strict In prohibiting the expectation of
Japanese labor except where employment
is assured. and IL is claimed that under its
l
the Hawaiian islands. as has been asserted
to be the purpose, without the connivance
of the Japanese authorities This they
hold, could not be secured in view OF the
policy of Japan against the expectation OF
coolie labor. and in view of the repeated
denlals of Japan OF any designs upon
Hawaii.
They assert that Hawaii took no steps
to restrict immigration from Japan until
last February. when sudden and sur
prising demand was made upon Japan to
this end. This. they claim, is evidence
sufficient that there was no flooding Of the
islands. They regarded the island govern
men capricious and concluded il was
made for the purpose of increasing the ag-
itatlon In the interest of annexation and
10 furnish a pretext for speedy action IN
that direction. To the same end they con-
slider the cry OF danger from Hawaii on
account OF japanese aggression 10 have
been raised. They boot at the idea that
this fear had any foundation in fact, and
say that the danger existed only In the
minds OF the jealous advocates of annexa-
ton.
They assert that Japan has freely ex-
planned every step taken in this contro-
versy with Hawaii 10 the United
States, and they hold that the fact
that such explanation had been made Is
proof positive that Japan has no Interior
designs upon the islands They consid-
er that many subjects OF Japan are en-
titled TO damages on account of Hawaii's
summary refusal to permit them to land.
and that they are deprived of their REM
edy by the contamination OF this treaty.
| On this account they are inclined 10 de-
| clare the action 10 be unjust and arhi-
| trary They also hold that Japan has
rights under the treaties with Hawaii
| other than those detailed. including re-
| ciproc2l immunities which. they fear. may
| not be renewed ii Hawaii becomes a
| part OF the United States. The present
| purpose, they hold. appears 10 be to ter
| inmate these rights without privilege Of
/ appeal and against this proceeding they
| protest. They hold that while Japan has
/ no purposes OF asserting any authority
| in Hawaii the Japanese government has
/ the right To demonstrate in the interest of
her citizens and 10 demand that their
| legitimate rights be respected