The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-06-25

| 1t IS said that the protest of Japar
| against the annexation of Hawaii Is now
regarded in Washington in a more seri-
our light than 1t was at first. 1t is becom.
| ing apparent to the jingoes and annexa-
tionists that there is really something in
the representations of the mikados min
lister, and they are very well satisfied that
the mlkado's government is plucky enough
to make trouble if it should be goaded
too far. OF course there is no present
likelihood of hostilities between this coun-
try and Japan, but there are other ways
of making trouble besides going to war.
Al the same time, there is no use winking
at the fact that if Hawaii were to be the
scene of a conflict between the United
States and Japan. the latter would stand
almost as good a chance of winning the
bout as the former. No nation on the
face Of the earth-no two of them-could
come here and whip US; but for US to go
1900 to 5000 miles away TO fight would be
quite a different matter
Under the treaty signed between Japan
and Hawaii in 1871, japanese in Hawaii
were made eligible to citizenship and
were guaranteed all the rights enjoyed
by other residents of foreign birth. Japan
also secured trade concessions placing her
upon "the most favored nation" basis.
Since the negotiation of the treaty, the
Japanese have gone to the islands freely
with their wives, ana have
acquired property there. They
have regarded themselves as
fixtures in the islands with full rights and
privileges. having become citizens by nat
uralization. Under the proposed annexa-
ton treaty their citizenship, and all that
implies, is to be taken away from them,
with one stroke of pen, and they are
to be left without redress The situation
of the Chinese in the islands is practically
the same, though their position is not so
strongly backed with treaty agreements.
Not only are the Asiatics In the is
lands to be deprived of their rights under
the treaties of their governments with
Hawaii, but they are to be prohibited
from exercising privileges which are
granted to Asiatics in this country. The
japanese or Chinese in the United States
re permitted to travel in any part of
the country at will but when Hawaii be-
comes part of the United States, the
Hawaiian Asiatics will not be permitted
to set foot in the states. The celestial
from Arizona territory may roam the
country from Maine to California. but the
celestial from Hawaii territory will be
locked up the moment he tries to land
upon this soil. There is to be a distinc-
ton between the territory of Hawaii and
the other territories, but no difference.
Japan has some claims pending against
Hawaii in the matter of alleged violations
of the immigration treaty. The annexa-
ton of the islands to this country would
throw these claims upon the United
States, in addition to the obligations
which Hawaii has acknowledged, and
which It is proposed the United states
shall assume. Japan may not desire to
have the claims shifted.
Should Uncle Sam take on complica-
tons with Japan, and continue to nag
Spain, the two of them might be con-
strained to make common cause; In which
event they would no doubt be able to
keep the flies off, our esteemed uncle
for an entire summer.