The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-07-27
JAPAN'S LATEST PROTEST.
REASONS WHY SHE 0BJEors TO THE
LNNEIkTION OF HAWAII

corn the Conpeauencea That weula Fellow
the Extinction OF Bawaiian Sovereignty.
WASHINGTON, July 28-Japan's latest pro-
test against the annexation Of Hawaii 10 con-
tanned In q note addressed to Secretary sher-
man by Minister Hoshi. under date Of July 10.
1t is in reply to Secretary sherman's note Of
Juno 20 on tho annexation question. and 10 In
part as follows:
Taking note Of what you say In reply to the |
representation ! had the honor to make on be-
half Of my Government with reference to the
necessity Of maintaining the status quo Of Hae
wall, the imperial Government has no heaita- |
tion In admitting the predominant influence Of
tho United States In the Hawaiian Islands. In
their opinion, however, the very tact that such
prodominsnce has existed 20 long unquestioned
might be urged as q reason against the dis
turbance Of the status quo. moro especially a.
practically the whole population Of Hawaii
acknowledge the paramount Importance Of the
relations of their country with the United States, |
while II Ii understood that only Q ANAL frao-
ton Of their number favor annexation.
From this II may DO reasonably inferred
that the predominant and paramount infu-
ence Of the United states,' which, a. you re-
mark, has been tho one essential feature Of the
status quo through three-quarters of . century,
In which the Constitution and Government Of
Hawaii and tho ommero Of the Islands with
the world have undergone notable changes
furnishes on the one hand the amplest guarsn.
toe against anything inimical to either the
United States or Hawaii. while on tho other
hand It obviates the necessity Of o change In
existing conditions which viii injuriously af-
fect the interests Of others.
AS regards the further statement In your
communication, under reply. that four years
ago, when o similar project Of annexation fol-
lowed the Hawaiian revolution, the occasion
for maintaining the status quo was not oven
suggested BY any power possessing interests in
he.Pacihc," l beg TO say that the imperial Gov
eminent do not think the attitude Of Japan at
that time can be regarded as even implicitly &C.
quiescent in tho annexation project then under
consideration. In view of the rapidity with
which the important events connected with
tho incident Of 1893 followed each other, and
especially in tho light Of the ultimate action
Of the United States concerning the proposed
plan of annexation, the imperial Government
cannot perceive that any contrast can justly DO
what was done or Omitted to be- dome on that
occasion and the position they have how taken.
occurred In the SITUATION and the sugmenta-
ton that has in the mean time taken place IN
the Interests of Japan In the Pacific make such
acQuiescence tnAppicab.e now.
'sThe policy or colonial expanslon among Eu-
Eopesn countries was especially active In the
Pacific during the decade ending 1892. and as .
result nearly ell Of the island groups then autono-
NOUS passed under the sway of various West
s sss PGE's spp ss sSm Wiling SeG 20 s isSs P pSeis sa nsEs
and International rivalry and conflicting inter
s,sntas are now the s,t best Eua =, iSs TOR for the lSm SSntin,
island groups. But the absorption BY the
United States Of such an important part Of the
v Wouid dosabslesse Ss the d.ss signal t'f Tor the revival q
dormant territorial ambition In the Pacific, and
s sas ,ar. e And |. i L ' not TOO oG muSh q spprshend
that . partial redistribution OF colonial posses
sions among the various Western powers might
~, IT ,,, can easily y be . sssn h sST,t this w would dr st Bex
engaging In increasing numbers In various un-
dortakings and enterprises in the Pacific, with
profit TO themselves and advantage to Japan.
your honorable predecessors was led to declare
no %en asS as ass ! s 3ess' i%poTts SaSs fot The main;
tenanoe Of the rights TO which the United
Ing regions now under Independent and eutono,
Mr. Bsxssd o NJ; Pendiston. Foreign Reia-
'!"4 The 1: jasti ssse Of that declaration cannot be
questioned. and the imperial Government, on.
ernment that would eItnguieh Japanese
fish actual Ih eyyis hhys . IT. aaien'i ia tho BE- S Pssiiaa,en anS
certainly no desire to In any wise disturb 1t, but
4 TEN inpSo Ss,ifsHs for IL 'd thsm Pt 70 view ii spS WITH ES't uno concern
Zhieh, would probably follow the extinction of
SsT6e ipPefiai aoxsrnnen. r.sesogn!,ss It as (, q
that the completion OF annexation would render
the treaties and conventions at present exist
Ing between Japan and Hawaii ~yoidable, either
but they cannot anticipate without appreben-
sion the conseque1ces, whether direct or indi-
summation Of the theory that annexation. tpso
Iacto, means the immediate termination OF
INFANT cessation for the future OF the privileges
granted hereunder.
The justice or expectancy OF extending to
quite another question. such extension might
S % ,slsI5SS Of r Eaticl Snf III Ise q tss proposed z, eee treaty treaty
Of annexation, which also. provides for the ex-
treaty of 1858 is wholly non-reciprocal, and
init that It could be SO extended without its
Under these circumstances only the most
cursoEy review Of the ectual situation sa,i 10 re- r.
termination Of her treaties, and by the conse,
sdpqiatons for the projection Of her rights and
y. sas 'h 4is6 note Il pa sas e 5sP syBGyIi SH iHtI In tsyg psAs q
SS & ssans Of d 'apsn ssrm saS39 so sh in b aa%aais Of T the
subject. ] have the honor to call your attention
hoporabls Predecessor Mr.; Baysrd, to MI: V ,Sa
AlDCHBiODOht tlo ~ llhiotS W tHs
United States, In reply to the official announce
ment or tho protectorate established by Ger
many over certain Island groups In the Pacific.
"Referring to the declaration made on behalf
hshed rights of third parties were to BIO 70
spected. Mr.; Bayard replied that in, the absence
Of precise. knowledge as to the meaning In,
tended to be given to the term well established
rights he believed that he interpreted 1t right
ly az a declaration that American citizens VIII
Ilreedy, had established or might thereafter
IN peaceful accord with the natives and on 9
footing Of perfect Equality with os settlers ere o o
disturbed In their rights OF residence or inter
course or Disseminated against as compared
With German subjects by reason of the estab
hshment Of a German protectorate.
without peusing to consider the analogy II
pie thus announced by the United States IN 1873,
and that now maintained by Japan. ] have tn
honor TO state that II the United States Govern
mnent attach 70 the expression vested rights
note to the term well established rights thu
Imperial Government would have little to com
plain. Of under this head. But tho absolute OK
tnction Of Japans treaties and conventions