The record-union., 1897-07-27

dominate there and that the relations
of Hawaii with the United States are
predominant. But it urges that be-
cause that is true, is the strongest OF
reasons for the sovereignty of the
island Republic remaining as it is.
II attempts to forestall the statement
that all this is answered by the ap-
peal of the Hawaiian Government itself
TO be taken into the American fold by
saying that a majority of the people
of Hawaii are not in favor of annexa-
ton. Right there let peg be set down
How does Japan know that TO be
fact? What census of the wishes of the
people has il taken ON which 10 base
such an allegation? What warrant has
it for going behind the official express
sion of the very Government it desires
shall remain independent and sover-
eign?
That Government speaks for the Ha-
waiians by right. The Japanese con-
cede that it is the Government of the
islands, and insists that it shall be
maintained and its integrity preserved
but in the next breath declares thai
its expression in favor of annexation
does not reflect the wishes of a ma
jority of the people of that little nation
We do not think that it demands
very astute mind to discover and prick
the fallacy of the argument of that
letter Of protest in which Japan gives
us notice that she Will oppose annexa-
ton and distinctly intimates that she
holds it to be a duty TO ask the Pow
ers to intervene against it.
That is to say, the letter in question
practically declares that while in the
past it has been recognized as lawful
and defensible for any nation having
cause in discovery, conquest or by
way of reprisal to take island terri
tory. now that the islands have been
reduced to a few only that are inde-
pendent and not under the flag of a
great Power, the question of colonlal
acquisition has wholly changed form,
the nations are Withholding their
hands it is now requisite that the
great Powers shall be consulted before
any nation is permitted to take any OF
the few islands remaining unattached
to a strong Government. That if this
is not to be the policy of the future,
there viii be a general grab all around
and the independence of the last Of the
free islands of the Pacific will speedily
disappear Singular, is it not, that
monarchy as absolute as that OF
Japan should at this stage of history
be solicitous to stand sponsor for free
States?
But that is the undertone of the
whole letter 1t is an intimation that
try to itself even by consent of its
people save upon consultation with and
by grace of Japan, which arrogantly
assumes to itself the rank of a great
Power entitled to sit in judgment and
determine what colonial acquisitions
other nations shall be permitted to
make.
Couched in diplomatic language and
with all the polite method imaginable,
nevertheless this letter by order of the
Japanese Government is impudent. 1t
is impudent in its assumption that II
Hawaii is annexed injustice will be
done by us to japanese residents in the
islands 1t is impudent in its demand
that the present Government of Hawaii
be maintained, while il denies that It's
voice reflects the opinion Of the cttl-
zens Of the Republic. 1t is impertinent
in asserting that the United States has
not the right to deal with Hawaii re-
garding political union, without kow-
towing before Japan