The advocate., 1897-07-14
OFFICIAL STATE PAPER.

tiOns which have long existed between
the government Of Japan and this
country,
"Accept, Mr.. Minister, the renewed
assurance Of my highest consideration,
"JoHN SHERMAN.
"To Mr.. Toru Hoshi."
Minister Hoshi then submitted Japan'a
protest as follows:
Legation OF Japan, Washington, June
10, l997.--Sir: Referring to the CORE
spondence which has passed between US
regarding the proposed annexation OF
the Hawaiian Islands to the United
States, / have the honor TO inform you
that, having communicated with my
government upon the subject, / am now
in receipt of instructions from his I'm
perial Majesty's Minister for Foreign
Affairs in relation thereto.
"Before divulging the nature OF these
instructions, desire TO state, that al
though the imperial government could
not have failed to attach due weight to
the statement in your communication to
me Of the 10th inst, that in your opinion
there is nothing in the proposed treaty
preiudiCial to the rights Of Japan. they
must also have taken note Of the fact
that in alluding in the same communica-
tion to existing treaties between Japan
and Hawaii, you state that your under
standing is that the government OF the
United States does not take upon itself
any obligations OF the Hawaiian govern
ment arising from treaties or oonven-
tions with other governments.
II have now the honor to inform you
that l am instructed by his Imperial
Maiesty's government to formally pro-
test against the proposed annexation OF
the Hawaiian Islands to the United
States.
GROUND OF THE PROTEST..
"This protest is made for the follow
ing reasons:
al. That the maintenance Of the
status quo of Hawaii is essential to the
good understanding Of the powers which
have interests in the Pacific.
20. The annexation OF Hawaii would
tend to endanger the residential, com
mercial and industrial rights Of Japanese
subjects in Hawaii, secured to them by
treaty, and by the constitution and laws
OF that country.
'3. Such annexation might lead to the
postponement by Hawaii Of the settle
ment of claims and liabilities already
existing in favor of Japan under treaty
stipuIatious.
"With reference to the mischievous
suggestion or report which has been so
industriously circulated in this country
and elsewhere that Japan has designs
against the integrity Of sovereignty Of
Hawaii, am further instructed by the
imperial government TO state most en-
phatioally and unequivocally that Japan
has not now, and never had, such de.
signs, or designs Of any kind whatever
against Hawaii.
Permit me to add, in conclusion, Mr.,
Secretary, that in making this protest,
and in asking full and careful considera-
tion for it, the imperial government ia
sctusted by what it regards as an inn
perative duty and not in the remotest
degree by desire TO embarrass the
United States. 1t prizes most highly
the cordial relations which have always
existed between our countries, and it
confidently trusts that it's representa-
tions on this occasion will be received
in that spirit of justice and fairness
which has so notably characterized the
intercourse Of Japan and the United
States.
accept, Mr.. Secretary, the renewed
assurance Of my highest consideration.
"ToRU HosHI.
"To Hon. John Sherman, Secre tary Of