Evening journal., 1897-07-06
PROTEST OF JAPAN.
Against the Annexation Of Hawaii
to This Country
THE OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE.
Minister Hoshi Says That 1t Would En-
danger the Rights of Japanese Subjects
and Might Lead to Postponement
of Settlement of Claims.

test OF Japan against the annexation or
Hawaii to the United States has just
become available. The full correspond
ence is as follows:
Washington. June Is.
Sir-I beg to again call your attention
to the subject of our interview today,
the rumor that the governments Of the
United States and of Hawaii are on the
point of concluding a treaty annexing
the Hawaiian Islands to this country as
a territorial part thereof. AS / had the
honor to state to 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 an
nexation will soon take place. but also
gives with apparent precision certain
portions of the alleged arrangement
which directly affect the rights acquired
by the government of Japan and Jap
anese subjects by treaties with Hawaii
and under the constitution and laws
of that country. 1t is on this account
that l desire to repeat what l had the
honor to state in our interview today,
that my government cannot view with
out concern the prospects Of a sudden
and complete change in the status of
Hawaii whereby the rights of Japan
and of japanese subjects may be i'm
periled. While therefore they conf
IDENTIFY rely upon the United States to
maintain toward them a just and
friendly attitude in this, as in all other
matters, they feel that under the cir
cumstances they cannot be regarded as
spectators merely, without interest in
the important change which 1t 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 1t Is really true
that a treaty of annexation is about to
be concluded, I feel that I 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 sanctions of law and
Of treaty?
Accept. Mr.. Secretary. the renewed
assurances OF my highest consideration.
TORU HOSHI.
sherman's Reply to Hoshi.
To this Secretary Sherman replied as
follows
Washington, June 16.
Sir-Replying to your note Of the
10th inst, just received, have to say
that the governments of Hawaii and
the United States, by their duly au-
thOrized representatives, have signed a
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, 1 understand, be submit
ted to the senate of the United States
4l. loot Ne
TO your inquiry as to the provision
made therein concerning the treaties
which may be in existence between
Japan and the present Hawaiian gov
ernment, 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 it with
other governments It is believed that
there is nothing In the proposed treaty
prejudicial to the rights of Japan, and
certainly the United States has no dis
position to disturb the friendly rela-
lions which have long existed between
the government OF Japan and this
country.
Accept Mr.. Minister. the renewed as
Iurance Of my highest consideration.
JOHN SHERMAN.
Japan's Formal Protest.
Minister Hoshi then submitted ia
PANS formal protest. as follows:
Washington, June 10.
Sir-Referring to the correspondence
which has passed between us regarding
The proposed annexation Of the Ha-
waiian Islands to the United States. l
have the honor to inform you that.
having communicated with my govern
ment upon the subject, am now in re-
eeipt Of instructions from his imperial
majesty's minister for foreign affairs
IN relation thereto.
Before divulging the nature Of these
instructions desire to state that al
though the imperial government could
not have failed to attach due weight
10 the statement in your cOmmunica-
hon 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 alluding
20 the same communication to the ex-
sting treaties between japan and Ha-
vail you state that your understand
ing 'is that the government Of the
United States does not take upon itself
any obligations of the Hawaiian gov
ernment arising from lredIeS OF cOu'
gentions with other governments"
1 have now the honor TO inform you
that 1 am instructed by his imperial
majestys government to formally pro-
test against the proposed annexation
Of the Hawaiian Islands to the United
States.
This protest is made for the follow
ing reasons:
First The maintenance of th'
status quo of Hawaii is essential to thu
good understanding of the powers
which have interests in the Pacific.
Second.-The annexation OF Hawai-
would tend to endanger the residential
commercial and industrial rights o
Japanese subjects in Hawaii, secured
10 them by treaty and by the consti
tuition and laws of that country.
Third.-Such annexation might lea'
10 the postponement by Hawaii of tn
settlement of claims and liabilities al
ready existing in favor Of Japan unde
treaty stipulations.
With reference TO the mischievou
suggestion or report which has been $
ndustriously circulated in this countr
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