The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1897-06-28

WASHINGTON, D. c., June 27.-Tho
Japanese position on the annexation Of
Hawaii by the United States has been
made known from q very high source.
The Japanese base their opposition to
annexation almost entirely upon the
ground that It is an interference with
the treaty rights OF Japan, and COM
plain especially that the treaty was ne
gotIated In the face Of the most friend
ly protestatIons from Japan. and At a
time when the Japanese authorities
had been led to believe that no such
treaty would be undertaken. The fol-
lowing may be accepted as an absolute
ly accurate outline OF the position o:
the Japanese legation IN Washington:
The Jananese insist, as on all for
mer occasions, that the Japanese gov
ernment has not now and never has had
any designs against Hawaii. They con-
tend that the Japanese first went to
Hawaii In response 10 the demand for
labor in the island, under provisions OF
treaty concluded in 1885, at tho eolici-
tntion OF the Hawaiian government
This treaty, they say, worked ndmir-
ably for years. and until the planters
became restlVe under the conditions Inn
posed by the treaty, thinking. the Jap
anese hold. that they could secure labor
more cheaply with the restrictions re-
moved. Al the same time the question
OF annexation came up and the adher-
ents OF union with the United States
thought that Il would be necessary TO
make changes in the method Of obtnin-
ing the labor absolutely necessary to
the prosperity OF the sugar Industry or
the Islands. This was, they claim: the
origin OF the so-called voluntary sgs-
tenn OF immigration to Hawaii. The
development OF this situation led TO
the framing by the japanese govern
ment OF its emigration law. This law Is
very strict In prohibiting the eXporta.
tlon OF Japanese labor, except where
employment Is assured
cAPRIC1oUs ACTIoN.-They assert
that Hawaii took no steps to restrict
immigration from Japan until last Feb
ruary. when n sudden and surprising
demand was made upon Japan to this
end. This. they claim. Is evidence SUI
dcIent that there was no flooding OF tine
island. They regarded this demand
from the island government as capri
cious, and concluded that It was MADE
for the purpose OF Increasing the aBltn.
tIon in the interest Of annexation ana
10 furnish a preteXt for speedy action
in that direction. They assert that ia
pan has freely explained every step Ia
ken in this controversy with Hawaii to
the United States, and they hold that
the fact that such explanation has been
made should be accepted az proof posi-
tive that Japan has no ulterior designs
upon the Islands. In view OF this eN.
pianatIon on their part to the United
States they complain OF the sudden
ness of the announcement of the Ha-
wailan treaty OF annexation, and say
that the treaty was consummated when
they had reason from official assur-
auces for believing that no hosty action
In that direction was contemplated.
They hold that while Japan has no pur-
pose OF asserting any authority in Ha-
wall the japanese government mas the
right TO demonstrate In the interest. OF
her citizens and to demand that their
legitimate rights be respected.