Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-07-27
JAPAN and HAWAII.
The Oriental Kingdoms Protest
Against Annexation.
The Predominant Influence Of the
United States Is Admitted, But
the Imperial Government OPP
poses the Absorption Of the
Islands by the United States.

washington, July 26.-Thst Japan
will continue TO oppose the Hawaiian
annexation treaty is shown by the lat
est protest by the Japanese govern
ment under date of July 10, which has
been made public. Japan's reply is in
part as follows:
Sir:-Replying TO your note OF date
of the 25th ult. in answer TO mine Of
the 18th ult., regarding the proposed
annexation of the Hawaiian Islands to
the United States, l have the honor 70
inform you that communicated IN
substance to Count okouma, from
whom l am in receipt OF telegraphic
instructions embodying the views OF
the imperial government in relation
thereto.
Taking note Of what you say in re-
ply to the representation / had the
honor to make on behalf on my gov
ernment with reference TO the neces-
sity OF maintaining the status quo OF
Hawaii, the imperial government has
no hesitation in admitting the pre-
dominant influence of the United States
in the Hawaiian Islands. In their opin-
ion. however, the very fact that such
predominancee has existed so long un-
questioned might be urged as reason
against the disturbance Of the stattia-
quo more especially as practically the
whole population Of Hawaii acknowl-
edge the paramount Importance OF the
relations OF their country with the
United States. while it is understood
that only a small fraction OF their
| number favor annexation.
From this, 1t may be reasonably In
ferred that "the predominant and pa
ramount influence of the United
States" which as you remark has
been the one essential feature OF the
status quo through three-quarters OF a
century in which the constitution and
government Of Hawaii and the COM
merce OF the islands with the world
have undergone notable changes" FUR
nishes on the one hand the amplest
guarantee against anything inimical 10
either the United States or Hawaii,
while on the other hand it obviates the
necessity of n change in existing con-
ditions which win iniuriously affect
Nhe interests o1others.
Me policy6of colonial expansion
amoSa. EKrSTean couGies was espe-
decade eA1.hy ~
nearly all oP the l.
autonomous passed
various western POI
accord the powers
peared willing TO stan
and international riyalf
ing interests are now TN
tees for the continued SOW
ence OF the few remain
groups But the absorpt
United States of such an
part Of the remaining unap
region as Hawaii, would dou)
the signal for the revival OF
territorial ambition In the Pacifc\
the last vestige Of native antonoy
would disappear. And 1t Is not
much to apprehend that a partial
distribution OF colonial possessi
among the various western pow
might also follow.
II can easily be seen how this wo
affect the interest OF Japanese subj
who are now engaging in increasl
numbers i'm various undertakings a
enterprises In the Pacific with pre-
to themselves and advantage 20 Jap
II was especially on account OF the pr
alence OF the spirit Of colonial abso
ton that one OF your honorable pre-
cessors was led 10 declare 10 the @
man government that your goyernm
attached great importance to the MAIN
tenance 10 the rights TO which the Unii
ted States had become entitled In the
few remaining regions now under In
dependent and autonomous native gov
ernments In the Pacific ocean.
The Justice OF that declaration can
not be questioned. and the imperial gov
ernment. entertaining similar views.
could not behold with Indifference
changes I'm the status OF those govern
meuts that would extinguish japanese
rights. They have no intention OK
questioning the actual existing situ-
alton in the Pacific. and certainly no
desire TO I'm any wise disturb II; but
their position In that part or the WOflh
renders it impossible for them TO view
with unconcern and In a spirit OF ao-
ouiesence the consequences which
would probably follow the extinction of
Hawaiian sovereignty.
The imperial government recognizes
n as a we'll established principle or
international law that the completion
~ annexation would render the treat
los and conventions at present exist
ing between japan and Hawaii voidsble
either at the option OF Japan or the
United States. but they cannot antici-
nate without apprehension the conse-
auences. whether direct or Indirect,
which would follow the practical con-
summation Of the theory that annexa-
ton ipso facto. means the immediate
termination OF those treaties and con-
yentious and the consequent cehAa-
tion for the future OF the privileges
granted hereunder
-O---------
col. JOHN B. ANDERSON DEAD. :