Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-09-08
JAPAN TO HAWAII.
of Proposal to Arbitrate
Differences.

WASHINGTON. September THE full
text of the formal acceptance by the Ja-
panese Government of the proposal to ar
bitrate its differences with Hawaii mas
been received in this city, and copy was
to-day delivered to Secretary sherman Dy
the secretary OF the japanese legation
Mr. Matsui. 1t is from Count Okuma,
Minister of Foreign Affairs. TO II. Shma-
mura, the japanese Minister TO Hawaii
After acknowledging the receipt OF ga
waits offer of arbitration, ii says;
1.-The Imperial Government are nrmly
convinced that their complaints In thIs
matter are well founded, and their claims
Just. Nevertheless. in the spirit CT con-
Citation, and in the hope that their ac-
ton may contribute TO the good relauonS
of the two countries, they nave resoEeu
TO accept, subject TO certain limitations
and qualifications, the proposal OF hawai-
Accordingly, on the 18th ultimo l teie-
graphed 10 you to the effect that the ia
panese Government would accept sucn
proposal of the Government OF ha"ai
for arbitration. / now cctnrm that tele-
gram, and the object OF TINS instructlon
is to explain the nature Q. the terms anu
conditions, an adhesion To when II, IN
the estimation OF the Imperial Govern
ment, essential TO a satisfactory issue oi
the contemplated arbitration.
THE arbitration arrangement mahes
IL also desirable that the award WHEN
most commanding character. CONSEQUENT
ly, the Imperial Government propose tiIat
the two governments shall, when the pro-
per time arrives. unite In requesting tila'
his Majesty, the King or the beisidhs
may be pleased TO accept the position Vi
sole arbitrator.
..The Imperial Government are, more
over. persuaded of the desiraDility OF en-
pressly defining the scope or Inc releI
ence not only in order 10 hsh,en .ne
labors of the arbitrator, put Win ane
view as well that the decision may au
dress itself solely to the actual points OIL
divergence.
I'VE. therefore, propose that the tw1
governments shall agree to the essentiai
facts of the case. and thar the arpitIa
tion shall be limited to specined questions
at law. and Qu case the award Is In favor
OF Japan), the measure or damages sunsr-
ed by the subjects of his Imperial Ma
jesty. ,s
1T Is due 10 frankness that | should
in this connection state that, Tor reasons
which are fully set forth in another ~
struction. the Imperial Government can-
not consent that the question OF the bona
fides IL the possession OF so Dy each ~
the rejected free laborers. or or the ap-
plicabilify of the treaty of ls1 TO Japa-
nese subjects other than those peiongih5
TO the merchant class, shall be regarded
as points OF issue upon wnich ,ne decisioh
OF the arbitrator Is 10 pe inFlte ,',,n,,, ara
prepared 10 meet the Imperial Govern
ment upon the foregoing essential poir -.
II is not apprehended that any difhc'lty
will be experienced In arIivHg az an
understanding in reference TO questions
OF minor Importance. You are conse-
quentIy directed TO communicate copy
OF this instruction TO the Minister OF For
eign Affairs. as the reply OF the Imperial
Government to the suggestion contained
In his note OF the 18th OF June. You VIII
al the same time urgently impress upon
him the Importance from each point OF
view Of an immediate response.
II am, sir, etc, etc,
count OKUAiA SHIGENOBu.
minister for Foreign Affairs"