Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1897-07-06
PROTEST OF JAPAN.
TExT OF CORRESPONDENCE ON
THE SUBJECT.
OBJECTIONS TO OUR ANNEXIAG HAWAII
The Report That japan Has De-
signs Of Her Own Against the In
tegrity of the Hawaiian ISLANDS
Indignantly Denied.

WASHINGTON, d. c., July 6.-The
| formal protest of Japan against the an
nexation OF Hawaii to the United States
| became available to-day. The full cor
| respondence is as follows:
Legation of japan,
washington. June Is. 1887.
"Sir,-I beg to again call your attention to
| the subject of our interview to-day, the
rumor that the Government Of the United
| States and Of Hawaii are on the point OF
concluding a treaty annexing the Hawaiian
| Islands TO this country as territorial
| part thereof. AS / had the honor 10
state to you, this rumor has been repeated
during the past few days with circum-
stantiality Of details which gives 1t the
| appearance of authority. 1t not only
states positively that the annexation VIII
| soon take place but also gives with ap-
| parent precision certain portions or -
| alleged arrangement which directly az
| feet the rights acquired by the Govern
ment of Japan and japanese subjects py
treaties with Hawaii, and under the Con-
stitution and laws of that country.
repeat what / had the honor to state
| in our interview to-day-that my govern
ment cannot view without concern the
prospect of a sudden and complete change
| i'm tne status Of Hawaii, whereby the
rights of Japan and of japanese subjects
NAV be imperiled. While, therefore.
| they confidently rely upon the United
! States to maintain toward them just
| and friendly attitude in this, as In all
other matters, they feel that under the
| circumstances they cannot be regarded
| as spectators merely. without interest IN
the important change which ii has been
positively asserted is about to take place
| in. the relations of the United states ana
| the Hawaiian Islands.
For this reason, II 1t is really true that
| a treaty of annexation is about 10 DE
| concluded. I feel that | am justified in
inouiring from you, Mr. Secretary. what
provision has been made therein for the
preservation and maintenance of the
rights acquired and enjoyed by Japan III
| her intercourse with Hawaii. under the
| solemn sanctions of law and OF treaty.
ACCEPT Mr.. Secretary. the renewed
| assurances of my highest consideration
(SigneO TORO HoSfii'
"To Hon. John Sherman, Secretary oil
State
SHERMAN TO HOSHL
To this Secretary Sherman replied as
| follows:
Department Of State
washington, June l6, 1871
"sir,-Replying to your note of the loth
| instant Just received, / have TO say tha'
| tba Governments of Hawaii and the
United States, by their duly authori~eu
representatives have signed treaty an
/ Tela n this
try. This has been done in pursuance OF
| a policy long since adopted by the United
states. and the treaty will, understand
| he submitted to the Senate of the United
| state by the President for ratincatlon
| "As to your inquiry as TO the pro-
| vision made therein, concerning th'
treaties which may be i'm existence De-
| tween Japan and the present Hawaiian
| Government my understanding Is tha'
! the Government of the United states does
not take upon itself any obligations OF
! the Hawaiian Government arising IRON
treaties or conventions made by II VIII
| other governments. Ii is believed ther'
is nothing in the proposed treaty preJu'
| dicial to the rights of Japan, ana certain
| lv the United States has no disposition &c
! disturb the relations which have long ex-
| listed between the Government OF Japan
and this country.
Accept Mr.. Minister. the renewed as
surance of my highest considerations.
(signeO JOHN SHERMAN.
| ITO Mr. Toru Hoshi etc, ETC., etc..
| THE PROTEST.
Minister Hoshi then submitted japan
protest, as follows:
Legation of Japan
washington, June 49, 1887
| "Sir.-Referring to the correspondence
which has passed between us regarding
the proposed annexation OF the Hawaiian
Islands 10 the United States, l nave the
honor to inform you, having communi-
Gated with my government upon the SUD-
| iect that | am now in receipt OF instruc-
! tions from his Imperial Majestys Minis
ter for Foreign Affairs in relation there
/ to-
Before divuIging the nature Of those
Instructions | desire to state that, al
though the Imperial Government could
not have failed to attach due weight TO
the statement in your communication 10
me of the 18th instant, 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 in the same com
munication TO existing treaties between
Japan and Hawaii, you state that your
understanding IS that the Government OF
the United States does not take upon IL
self any obligations OF the Hawahah
Government arising from treaties or con-
ventions with other governments.
II have now the honor 10 inform you
that | am instructed by MS lhpeiiai
Maiesty's Government TO formally protest
against the proposed annexation Oh tne
Hawaiian Islands to the United states
e
reasons =,
~ The maintenance of the status quo
in Hawaii is essential 10 the good under
standing OF the Powers which have In
terests in the Pacific
..2 The annexation of Hawaii would
tend 10 endanger The residential. CONNER
cial. and Industrial rights OF japanese
subjects in Hawaii, secured 10 them by
treaty and by the Constitution and laws
Of that country
''3 Such annexation might lead to the
postponement by Hawaii of the settle
ment of claims and liabilities already
existing in favor Of Japan, under treaty
stipulations.
ALLEGED JAPANESES DESIGNS.
"With reference to the mscheyious sug-
gestion or report which has been so in
dustriously circulated In this country
and elsewhere. that Japan has designs
against the integrity or sovereignty OF
Hawaii. | am further instructed by the
Imperial Government TO state. most en-
phatlcally and unequiyocally. that Japan
has not now and never had such designs.
or designs of any kind whatever against
Hawaii
Permit me 10 add, In conclusion, Mr..
Secretary. that In making this protest
and In asking full and careful considera-
tion for II. the Imperial Government are
actuated by what they regard as an i'm