The Hawaiian star. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu]) 1893-1912, 1897-08-03
JAPAN 5 LATEST PROTEST.
GIST or THE LETTER SENT TO
SECRETARY SHERMAN.
Minister HASH Does Not Like Annex
ation-Fears 1t win Result in a
Grab by European Powers.

Grab by European Powers.
NEW YORK, July 25.-Mnister
Hashi's letter to Secretary Sherman
contains the following:
LEGATION OF JAPAN. Washing
ton, July 10.-Sir: Taking note of
what you say in reply to the repre-
sentation | have the honor to make
on behalf of my Government with ref
erence to the necessity of maintain
ing the status quo of Hawaii, the Inn
perial Government has no hesitation
in admitting the predominant infiu
ence of the United States in the Ha-
waiian Islands. In their opinion, how
ever, the very fact that such predomi
nance has existed so long unquestion-
ed might be urged as a reason against
the disturbance of the status quo.
more especially as practically the
whole population of Hawaii acllnowl-
edge the paramount Importance of the
relations of their country with the
United States, while it is understood
that only a small fraction of that
number favor annexation.
The policy of colonial expansion
among European countries was espe-
cially active on the Pacific during the
decade ending in 1899, and as a re-
suit nearly all of the island groups
then autonomous passed under the
sway of various western powers. BY
common accord the powers have re-
Gently appeared willing TO stay their
hands, and international rivalry and
conflicting interests are now the
best guarantees for the continued
sovereign existence of the few remain
ing island groups.
Yet the absorption by the United
States of such an important part of
the remaining unappropriated region
as Hawaii would doubtless be the sig
nal for the removal of dormant ter
last veStige of native autonomy would
disappear. And it is not too much to
apprehend that a partial redistribu-
ton of colonial possessions among the
various western powers might also
follow.
1t can easily be seen how this would
affect the interests of Japanese sub
jects who are now engaging in in
iects who are now engaging in
increasing numbers in various
undertakings and enterprises in
the Pacific with profit to
themselves and advantage to Japan.
1t was precisely on account of the
prevalence of this spirit of colonial
absorption that one of your honor
able predecessors was led to declare
to the German Government that your
Government attached great import
ance to the maintenance of the rights
to which the United States becomes
entitled in the few remaining regions
now under independent and autono-
nous native governments in the Pa
CHIC ocean.
Minister Hoshi continues: "The I'm
perial Government recognizes it as a
well established principle of interna-
tional law that the completion of an
neXation would render the treaties
and conventions at present existing
between Japan and Hawaii voidable
either at the option of Japan or the
United States.
THE absolute extinction of Japan's
treaties and conventions without even
the formality of previous notice,
rceates "A very unparalleled situation,
not alone by removing conventional
privileges and exemptions, but also
by substituting therefor new and
burdensome changes"
In closing, he says: therefore
have the honor to repeat tina Japan
has absolutely no designs of any kind
whatever inimical to Hawaii and no
motive in her dealings with that coun-
try except to secure by legitimate
means the due observance of just OBJ
legations"