New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-06-26
JAPAN AND HAWAII.

1t was evident from the outset that the Jap
anese protest against the Hawaiian annexation
treaty must be regarded seriously. Any official
communication from so important a Govern
ment must be so regarded. Especially is that
the case when, as at present, the Government Is
that of friendly Power, and when, as also at
present, it has valid and vital interest in the
matter concerning which the protest is made.
OF the existence Of these conditions in this in
stance there can bo no question. With no other
nation has Japan been on as friendly and init
rate terms as with this. ever since this one,
albeit by somewhat ungentle processes, first
opened" the Island Empire TO the world. No
other nation. after this one, has as great inter
ests at stake in Hawaii as Japan. No wonder,
then. that the proposed transfer of Hawaii to
United States ownership and control arouses in
Japan the lvelcst concern. and impels the Jap
anese Government to make serious representa-
tons TO the United States Government regard
ing it.
A protest, however, is not an injunction nor
nm ultimatum. Japan does not intend il such.
She certainly has notion of forbidding or pre-
venting by force Of arms the annexation Of
Hawaii TO this country. There can be no hint
OF menace in her tone She Is now, as ever,
friendly TO this country. Nor can she regard
the proposed action of the United States rs
hostile TO herself. An act of rivalry it may be.
But rivalry is not essentially unfriendly. No
American statesman wishes evil to Japan, nor is
It supposabc that any Japanese statesman sus-
poets such motive. The case seems 10 be simply
this. that the Japanese Government fears that
under the terms Of the annexation treaty as now
drafted the citizenship rights OF Japanese set
tiers In Hawaii are In danger Of being forfeited,
and that by such annexation the balance Of
commercial interests in the Northern Pacific Will
be disturbed to the detrment Of Japan On
those grounds the protest Is made. II is not. OH
the face of it. unreasonable. 1t has been re-
ccived by this Government in the spirit III which
il was made and there is reason To suppose It
will be answered in n manner satisfactory to
Japan ard COMFORTING with the dignity and in
terests Of the United States.
Concerning the status of the Japanese colonists
In Hawaii. it does not appear that il would,
after annexation, become any less favorable
than il is now. There is no good ground for
supposing citizenship would he denied them by
the United States Government. Ii has not been
denied to those residing in the United States.
Some Of the inferior courts have declared Them
ineligible for naturalization. The Supreme
render decision in their case. Until il does so
decde-and II is problematlc whether it ever
WILT seems premature for Japan to take FOR
granted that her colonists in Hawaii will he dis
franchised. Moreover. these japanese who
have become citizens of Hawaii are politically
speaking, no longer Japanese but Hawaians,
and in their case Japan can have no concern.
Those who have not thus become citizens Will
certainly be rs well treated under United State;
as under Hawaiian rule. and as well treated as
The many japanese now living in the United
States, concerning whom 10 complaint Is made.
The balance Of commercial interests is an
other matter. Undoubtedly Japan has on that
score much concern in the future control OF fhe
islands. But the United States has more. The
interests Of the United States are Of far longer
standing. Before Japan was Opened" 10 COM
merce with alien nations the paramount inter
ests Of the United States In Hawaii were gener.