The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1897-09-15
The Formal Announcement
Made by Japan.
King Of the Belgians--Pro-
posed as the Sole Referee
of Differences With
Hawaii.

Of the formal acceptance BY the Japan
ese government Of the proposal to arbi-
trate its differences with Hawaii has
been received 10 this city aud copy
vas to day delivered to Secretary Sher-
man by the secretary of the japanese
legation. M7. Matsui It is from
Count Osuma. minister of foreign
affairs, to Shimauora, japanese minister
to Hawaii After ackn owledgiog the
receipt of Hawaii's offer of arbitration,
it says:
"The imperial government are 6rm-
ly convinced that their complaints 10
this matter are we'll founded and that
their demands are just aud reasonable.
Nevertheless. in spirit of conciliation
aud in the hope that their action may
contribute to the good relations of the
two countries, they have resolved to
accept. subject to certain necessary
limitations aud qualifications, the pro-
posal of the government of Hawaii.
Accordingly, on the 28sh ultimo, |
se!egraphed to you to the effect that the
japanese government accepted in prin-
ciple. the suggestion Of the government
of Hawaii for arbitration and that the
terms and condition Of such acceptance
would follow by mail. now confitm
that telegram aud the object Of this in-
strncticn is to explain the nature of the
terms and conditions, an adhesion to
which is, in the estimation of the gov
erpment, essential to the satisfactory
Issue Of the contemplated arbitration.
The reason assigned by the minister
Of foreign affairs of Hawaii in favor Of
arbitration makes it also desirable that
the award when pronounced shall be of
the highest aud most commanding
character. Consequently the imperial
government propose that the two gov
ernmeots shall, wbeo the proper time
arrives, unite iu requesting that his
majesty. the Kiug Of the Belgiaus,
may be pleased to accept the position of
sole arbitrator The imperial govern.
ment are, moreover. persuaded of the
desirability of expressly defining the
scope of the reference, not only io or
der to tighten the labors of the arbitra-
tor bat with the views as we'll with the
decision nay address itself solely to the
actual points of divergence. We.
therefore. propose that the governments
shall agree to The essential facts of the
case aud that the arbitration shall be
limited to specified questions at Law and
in the case the award is in favor OF
Japan the measure Of damages suffered
by the subjects Of his imperial majes-
ty. It is due to frankness that |
should, in this connection. state that
for reasons which are fully set forth 10
another instruction, the imperial
government cannot consent that
the question of the bona 6de posses
sion Of $50 by each Of the rejected free
laborers or OF the applicability OF the
treaty of 1871 to the japanese subjects
other than those belonging to the mer'
chants class, shall be regarded as points
Of issue upon which the decision Of the
arbitrator is to be invited.
If the government of the republic
are prepared to ment the imperial
government upon the foregoing essen.
tial points it is not appreheuded that
any difficulty will be experienced iu ar.
irving at an understanding in reference
to questions Of minor Importance
You are consequently directed to com
munioate cogy Of this instruction te
the minister Of foreign affairs as d reply
from the imperial government to hiE
note of January %: You. at the
same time, will urgently impress upon
him the importance from every point oI
view, of an immediate response. an
sir, etc..
Count Okuma Shibenobu,
Minister for Foreign Affairs.