The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-06-24
IF RATIFIED THE ISLANDS WILL
BE ANNEXED TO THE UNITED
STATES OF AMERICA.
JAPAN HAS PRESENTED A PROTEST
Would Seriously Affect
Japanese Interests-Hayaii to
BE n Territory of the
United States.


during the closing hours of the Harrison
administration, the first Hawaiian treaty
was signed, only to be withdrawn from
the senate and thrown into a pigeon hole,
the representatives of the governments
of the United States and Hawaii gath
cred this morning and signed a treaty
by the terms of which, If ratified the
little island republic will become part of
the territory of the United States. Of
the persons who stood in the room today
three were present when the original
treaty was signed, Special Commissioner
Lorin Thurston and Assistant Secre-
named, perhaps, took a more sincere
pleasure in the ceremony of this morn
ing than any of the others, because of
the stirring events of the last four years
in which he was so directly concerned.
1t is very unusual thing for treaty
of such Importance to be signed early
in the morning, but in this case it was de-
sired that the convention be made
ready early, in order that it might be
submitted to the senate on the day of its
signing. The document had been pre-
pared carefully over night; in fact it
was practically completed at the close
" y IL
necessary to make close comparison,
and the president wished another oppor-
tunity to go over the document, probably
with view to drawing up message
with which it will be accompanied to the
senate. Therefore, before 8 o'clock the
persons who were concerned in the treaty
were all in the state department. For
the United States there were Secretary
sherman, Assistant Secretaries Day,
Adee and Cridler, Private Secretary Bah
cock and Assistant Private Secretary
Gaytree. On the Hawaiian side there
were Minister Hatch. Lorin A. Thurston
occasion accredited as special commits
sioners, duly empowered to negotiate Il
treaty of annexation.
After the formal greetings, the creden-
tials of the plenipotentiaries were scanned
and recorded. Secretary Sherman alone
represented the United States in the
signature of the convention, and it was
part of the ceremony to record his au-
thorization by the president just as much
rs il was the credentials of the Ha
waiians from President Dole.
Then came the reading and comparison
of the treaty. OF this there were two
drafts, one to be held by each, later to
be exchanged in the usual form. AL
O'Clock when all was ready for the sigma
lures. The Hawaiian representatives
had brought with them gold pen in a
plain holder, and at their request this
was used for all of the signatures.
Secretary Sherman signed first the
copy intended to be held here, while Min
lister Hatch signed first the Hawaiian
copy of the treaty, his fellow commits
sioners coming next in order: Mr.. Thurs
ton first, followed by Mr.. Kinney.
The treaties were sealed by Assistant
Secretary Cridler with private seal
carried on his watch chain, the copies
dams, and the treaty was made, so far
as he executive branch of the govern
mcnt could effect it.
There was general exchange of con-
gratuations between the parties to the
ceremony and after photograph had
been taken of the commissioners the
ceremonies were ended
Before the final signature of the docu-
ment the secretary of state was pre-
sented a formal protest by the japanese
government, through its legation here,
against the consummation of the agree
ment. The protest is understood to be
based on apprehension that the special
treaties now existing between Japan and
Hawaii, under which the japanese enjoy
advantages, will he affected injuri0usiy
by complete annexation.
The treaty provides that the govern
ment of the Hawaiian islands cede to
the United States absolutely and forever
all rights of sovereignty in and over the
Hawaiian islands and its dependencies
and that these islands shall become an
integral part of the territory of the
United States. The government of Ha-
wall also cedes to the United States all
public lands public buildings and public
property of every description. Congress
shall enact special laws to govern the
disposition of the lands in the Hawaiian
islands. All revenue from these lands
shall be used solely for the benefit of
the inhabitants of the Hawaiian islands
for educational and other public pur-
poses.
The Hawaiian islands shall be admit
ted into the Union as a territory of the
United States, local laws to be passed by
a local legislature, but subject to the
approval of the president. Until con-
gress shall apply the laws of the United
States to the islands the present laws of
Hawaii are to govern the islands. The
present treaties and laws governing Ha.
waits commercial relations with foreign
nations shall remain in force until con.
gress shall take action. Further immi
grafton of Chinese laborers is prohibited
pending congressional action, and the
entry of Chinese from Hawaii into the
United States likewise is prohibited. The
United States assumed the public debt OF
Hawaii. but with a stipulation that thi,
liability shall not exceed 81 100000. Tn,
treaty before it becomes effective sha
be ratified by the proper authorities OF
the United States and of Hawaii, NJ
, mention is made of any gratuity +,
Liliokali or Kaiulani.
Minister Hoshi of Japan declined TO b,
| seen today about Japan's protest. an,
Secretary Mutsi refused to discuss tn,
| matter in any way, but it is learned tina
the japanese protest was made in person
to the state department yesterday after
| noon by Minister Hoshi. The news O
| the protest was great surprise to tn,
| Hawaiian legation, and as soon as intellj
| gence of it was obtained Mr.. Hatch start
| ed out to learn the particulars.
The essential point as to the protest
| it is said ut the Hawaiian legation, Il
I whether the protest is against the an
nexation of Hawaii or is merely a pro
test rescrving to Japan all her right
under the existing treaty with Hawaii
1t is believed that it is the latter
| The Japanese treaty with Hawaii wa
made in 1871 and provides that native
or citizens of one country shall hav
the uninterrupted right to enter into. re
side and trade in the other country an,
also shall have all the rights and priyj
leges enjoyed by the people of any othe