The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1897-06-24
Senate Foreign Relations Com
mittee Considers II a Sc
ri0us Matter.
Not, as Had Been Supposed, a
Protest Against the Form
Of Treaty,
But Almost an Ultimatum De-
mandilg That 1t Be Not
COnSummated.

WASHINGTON, June 24.-The protest
from Japan in connection with the Ha-
waiian treaty, which has been received
by the senate committee on foreign re-
lations, is considered in more serious
light than was at first made apparent,
and the committee took exceptional pre-
cautions to prevent the publication of
it's proceedings. The protest was
accepted as almost an ultimatum
on Japan's part to the effect that
the treaty must not be perfected. 1t is
not a protest against the form of the
document, as had been supposed i'll some
quarters, but against the document it.
self or rather against the transaction, as
being opposed to Japan's interest. The
specific reason alleged for the protest is
that the cOnsummatiOn Of the agree
ment between Hawaii and the United
States would disturb the existing trade
relations of the Northern Pacific, and
nullify treaty rights.
Should he Handled With Care.
The protest is in such definite terms
and is directed SO squarely at the trans
action as to cause the committee to feel
that the entire matter should be handled
| with the utmost circumspection as the
| only way in which complications of
serious nature can be avoided. While
there is no disposition on the part of the
| majority Of the committee to weaken in
its support of the treaty, there is gen.
eral feeling the friendly relations which
have always existed between Japan and
the United ates call for great deliber.
alton and especial care in proceeding in
the matter. Hence, the appointment Of
a subcommittee to consider all the de-
tails, the decision to keep the proceed
ings of the committee from the public
and the probability that the committee
may not be able to report during
the present session of congress.
With reference to the. latter it may be
stated as extremely probable that the
matter will be held in allegiance by the
subcommittee until congress convenes
in regular session next December, for
the double purpose of permitting the
committee to make it's investigation as
thorough as possible, and permit the
executive to exert it's best efforts
| tAC USE VI " per-
suade Japan of the unwisdom of her
course. 1t is understood in this con-
nection that this delay is in accordance
with the wishes Of the administration
as intimated to members Of the senate
| Would BE Serious in Some Cases.
The opinion was expressed in the COM
mittee that a document of the character
Of that filed by Japan would, if pre-
sented by a nation more equal of the
United States, lead to very serious diff
ticulties, but there is general desire to
extend unusual consideration toward
the Asiatic state, not only because of the
uniformly friendly relations existing
between that country and this, but be-
cause it is felt that Japan's success in
her war with China may have had the
effect of arousing spirit of combative-
ness which is not warranted in the
opinion of the members of the commit
tee by her relative size and Importance
as compared to the United States.