Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-14
AWAII'S CRISIS
Annexation by America or Final Alb
sorption by Japan.
JAPAN N'SSEVERE PRESSURE ON HAWAII
Arbitration is the Next Move of the
Little Republic.
NO WAR AFTER ANNEX ALTON

HONOLULU. Hawaii. July L. 1897.
The steamer City of Peking. who II
brought to the islands by way of Japan
the first information Of McKinley's election,
performed 4 similar office in regard to the
annexation treaty. the definite news that
it had been signed, conveyed in a cable
gram to Yokohama, arriving here by that
steamer on the 2:ith of June. With that
cableSram as an inspiration this community
worked itself into a state of feverish ex-
citement and expectation, many crediting
the printed rumors, based upon alleged
private information, to the effect that the
foreign affairs committee of the Senate mad
already reported favorably upon the treaty,
and that day had even been fixed for vot-
ing upon it. the 10Th of June being the da te
assigned The coming of the Mariposa from
the Pacific coast with news a week later
than that of the Peking was eagerly and
impatfently awaited. and when 1t was
learned on the arrival of that steamer this
morning that the Senate had been true to
its traditions a delberative body and
that action upon the treaty would not be
Immediate, the disappointment, though un-
reasonable, was profound.
Strong Negotiations.
The news of the signing of the annexa-
tion treaty came at an interesting point in
the war of words called strong negotia-
tiCAs' by Count Okuma which has been
progressing between Japan and Hawaii
The Stars regular correspondent at Homo
lulu, amehameha, has kept its readers
thoroughly informed of the various stages
of this controversy preceding the very re-
cent answer of Mr.. Cooper, Hawaiian min
lister of foreign affairs, which Mr.. Snma-
mura, the Japanese minister. has awaited
for sc me time with unconcealed impatience
and annoyance. The new matter in this
document, unpublished up 10 the present
date. even in Hone lulu, and of Importance
as establishing a fresh line of Hawaiian
defense. is in substance to the following
effect. The treaty of 1871. which Japan
claims to nave been violated in this case
is limited III its scope. 1t applies only to
merchant immigrants and not to laborers.
This limit tion upon the treaty has been
recognized by Japan in applying it to in
corning Hawaiians
That the treaty does not apply to labor
ers Is further shown by the fact that la
hor convention between Japan and Hawaii
was necessary to regulate the new kind of
immigration The laws passed by Hawaii
following the labor convention, of the en-
fcrcement Of which complaint is now made
We're not objected TO by Japan at the time
OF their enactment as in contravention of
the treaty- Ii follows that the treaty does
not apply 10 the cases of any of the immi-
grants IN controversy: and that subject to
the labor convention, which is still in force
because six months notice of its. abroga-
tion is necessary, Hawaii is entitled under
the general powers of independent govern
ments 20 make and enforce such laws of
general application it deems necessary
with reference TO the admission of aliens
Hawaii welcomes immigration in accord
anCe with its laws. labor conventions ard
treaties when they apply
Japnn stn Dissatisfied.
Since the aim of the japanese minister
has been to elicit from the Hawaiian gov
errment a confession that it had violated
treaty in excluding the immigrants, a
premise of indemnity for the injuries in
nicted. ard pledge against similar viola
tons in the future, this explanation would
evidently share the fate of its predeces-
sors in being viewed as unsatisfactory by
Japan's representative; and as that official
had in newspaper interview thrown out
meHacing intimations of what might hap
pen if Hawairs answer should continue 20
the reply has been matter of anxious
conjecture. While all Hawaii was holding
its breath in the intensity of its apprehen-
sive observation of Mr.. Shimamura in
suspense lest ne should shake off Hawaiian
dust from his feet ard sever diplomatic re-
lations with the republic. or should present
an ultimatum. to be enforced by the guns
Of the Naniwa, there came as an additional
element of friction and excitement the
news OF the annexation treaty and of ia
pans protest.
On my arrival here from Yokohama
eleven days ago. l discovered that the
question Of the possibility of arbitrating
the immigration question was one of pro-
found local interest. In response 10 a ques-
tion from me Count Okuma, Japan's min
lister Of foreign affairs, had intimated in
Toxic that, while in view of the justice
and reasonableness of Japan's position he
hoped for a settlement of the matter
through negotiation by the two govern
ments exclusively, in the event of con-
tlnued disagreement arbitration might be
the alternative. Minister Shimamura had
III "a newspaper interview. indorsed by him
as accurate. expressed precisely the oppo-
site opinion. He spoke of the controversy
a matter involving the honor of japan,
IN which, indeed. that nations honor was
at stake. and added: In small affairs arbi-
tration may be allowed but never where
the honor of a nation is at stake There is
no court where cases in international law
are tried-the only tribunal is the strong
arm and the strong vessels. Honor Is too
sacred thing to any nation to be played
with by courts of arbitration"
4 TnIk With Minister shfmamurn.
Shortly after my arrival in Honolulu
called upon Minister Shimamura for the
purpose of interviewing him. He is A
slender. nervous, frail-looking man. whose
black mustache gives as ye, no indications
of the gray OF even middle age He Is
notably courteous in manner He was
japanese consul in New York city for some
time. and speaks English fairly well. When
at a loss precisely what TO say, and wish
ing time 10 think, he prolongs the final syl-
liable OF every nth or sixth word with a
long-drawn-out ah- or eh- to an ex
tent that is painful TO the hearer, and sug-
gests an impediment of speech. 1t is said
that under similar circumstances Daniel
Webster was accustomed to sink his voice