The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1897-08-03
JAPAN PROTESTS
Still Another Note Sent to Sec
rGtary Sherman.
THE SITUATION UNPARALLELED
Japan Wishes Autonomy
to Be Preserved.
Dominant Territorial Ambition In
the Pacific Much Feared
By Japan.

NEW YORK, July Pa Herald
Washington dispatch says: That Jap
an will continue to oppose the Hawai-
ian annexation treaty is conclusively3
shown by the latest protest of the Jap-
anese Government under date of July
10th
While couched in polite and diplo-
matte language, the protest is suffl-
ciently firm in tone to show that Japan
will continue to wage diplomatic war,
and possibly go further to prevent the
consummation of the annexation pol
icy. 1t is impossible for Japan to
view with unconcern and in spirit
of acquieScence the consequences
which would follow the extinction of
Hawaiian sovereignty" the Imperial
Government significantly declares.
This may not mean that Japan will
resent annexation 'to the utmost" as
Count Okuma is credited with saying
in a recent interview, but the general
tone of the note is of a character to
indicate that annexation without the
"acquiescence'' of Japan will mean a
rupture in the relations between the
two countries.
Minister Hoshi says: "The Imperial
Government recognizes it as a we'll
established principle of international
law that the completion of annexation
would render the treaties and conven
tions at present existing between Jap
an and Hawaii voidable either at the
option of Japan or the United States,
but they cannot anticipate without ap-
prehension the consequences, whether
direct or indirect, which would follow.
The practical consummation Of the
theory of annexation, ipso facto,
means the immediate termination of
those treaties and conventions and the
consequent cessation for the future of
the privileges granted hereunder.
'The absolute extinction of Japan's
treaties and conventions without even
the formality of previous notice, Gre
ates a very unparalleled situation, not
alone by removing conventional privi-
leges and exemptions, but also by sub
stituting therefor new and burdensome
changes"
In closing he says: Therefore, l
have the honor to repeat that Japan
whatever inimical to Hawaii and no
motive in her dealings with that coun-
try except to secure by legitimate
means the due observance of just OBJ
legations"
The note in part reads as follows:
Legation of Japan,
Washington, D. c. July 10.
Sir:-Replying to your note of date,
the 25th ult. in answer to mine of the
10Th ult., regarding the proposed an
nexation of the Hawaiian Islands to
inform you that 1 communicated its
substance to Count Okuma, from whom
l am in receipt of telegraphic instruc-
tions embodying the views of the I'm
perial Government in relation thereto.
Taking note of what you say in reply
to the representation l have the honor
to make on behalf of my Cover lment
| with reference to the necessity OF
maintaining the status quo of Hawaii,
the Imperial Government has no hesl-
! tation in admitting the predominant
| influence of the United States IL the
| Hawaiian Islands. In their opinion,
however, the very such fact that pre-
dominance has existed so long UnqueS-
| toned might be urged as 4 reason
against the disturbance Of the status