The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-07-27
LEGATION OF JAPAN.


SfR:-Repiying TO your note OF date
the 25th ultImo, in answer to mine OF the
10Th ultimo. regarding the proposed an
neXation OF the Hawaiian Islands to the
United States, have the honor to in
form you that communicated in sub
stance to Count Okouma, from whom
am in receipt OF telegraphlc Instructions
embodying the views OF the imperial
government In relation thereto.
Taking note of what you say In re-
ply TO the representation l had the
honor to make on behalf OF my govern
ment with reference to the necessity OF
maintaining the status quo OF Hawaii,
the imperial government has had no
hesitation in admitting the predominant
influence OF the United States in the
Hawaiian islands. In their opinion.
however, the very fact that such pre-
dominance has existed 10 long unques-
toned might be urged as q reason
against the disturbance OF the status
quo more especially as practically the
whole population OF Hawaii ncknow-
ledge the paramount Importance OF the
relations OF their country with the
United States. while II Is understood
that only n small fraction OF their num-
ber favOrs annexation.
From this. II may be reasonably In
ferred that "the predominant and para
mount Influence OF the United States"
which. as you remark, has been the
one essential feature Of the status quo
through three quarters OF q century In
which the government and constitution
of Hawaii and the commerce OF the
islands with the world have undergone
notable changes" furnishes on the one
hand the ample guarantee against any
thing either inlmlcnl TO the United
States or Hawaii, while on the other
hand II obvlates the necessity Of
change In existing conditions which Will
injurlously affect the interests of others.
The policy OF colonial expansion
among European countries was espe-
Clnlly active on the Pacific during the
decade ending 1892, and as q result
nearly nll Of the island groups then nu-
tonomous passed under the sway OF
various western powers. By common
accord the powers have recently mp
pearod willing to stay their hands and
International rivalry and conflicting In
terests are now the best guarantees for
the continued soverclgn existence Of the
few remaining Island groups But the
absorption by the United States OF such
an important part Of the remaining
unapprdprlated region as Hawaii,
would doubtless be the signal for the re-
ylvnl of dormant territorial ambition In
tho Pacific md the last vestlge OF ma
tive autonomy would disappear. And
II Ia not too much to Rpprehcnd that n
partial redistribution Of colonial posres-
sIonH among the various western pow
crs might also follow.
II can cnslly be seen how this would
infect the interests OF Japanese subjects
who are now engaging In increasing
numbers IN various undertakings aud
enterprises In the Pacific with profit to
themselves and advantage 60 japan. II
was especially on account of the prev
alcnCc of this spirit of colonial nbaorp-
tlaH that one Of your honorable pro1o-
ccsaors was led to declare to the Ger
man government that your government
attached grcnt Importance 10 THE
maintenance Of the righta to which the
United states had become entitled tn
the few remaining regions now under
independent ana autonomous native
governments In the Pacific ocean"
rho Justice Of that declaration can.
not he questioned and the imperial gov.
ornmont. entertaining similar Views,
could not behold with Indifference
changes In tho status nf those govern.
mcntH that weHid eKtiHFHiHh IaPaHeHp
rights Thoy have no intention NJ
uucHlluning the actual existing altun.
ilnn In the Pacific ana certainly no dc.
elrc to In any wise disturb NJ but their
position IN that pOrt ufithu world rem.
dcm It Impossible for them tu ylcw
with uneoncOfu aud In q spirit Of ucuul.