The Portland daily press., 1897-07-27
JAPAN'S LATEST PROTEST.
Annexation of Hawaii To Be Opposed
To the End.

To the End.
The Samoan Affair Cited AS a Parallel
Case-Japan's Treaty Rights Also
Urged.
New York, July ga special to the
Herald from Washington, says:
That Japan will continue to oppose the
Hawaiian annexation treaty is conclusive
ly shown by the latest protest of the
japanese government under date of July
10, which is now made public for the
first time.
Japan's reply is in part as follows:
Legation of Japan, Washington, July 10.
Sir:-Replying to your note of date the
25th ult., in answer to mine of the 10Th
ult., regarding the proposed annexation
of the Hawaiian Islands to the United
States, | have the honor to inform you
that communicated its substance to
Count Okuma, from whom !! am in
receipt Of Geographic instructions en-
hodying the views of the Imperial govern
ment in relation thereto.
Taking note of what you say, in reply
to the representation | had the honor to
make in behalf of my government with
reference TO the necessity of maintaining
the status quo of Hawaii, the imperial
government has no hesitation in ad-
hitting the predominant influence of the
United States in the Hawaiian islands.
In their opinion, however, the very fact
that such predominance has existed so
long unQuestioned might be urged as a
reason against the disturbance of the
status quo, more especially as practically
the whole population of Hawaii acknowl-
edge the paramount Importance of the re-
lations of their country with the United
States, while it is understood that only a
small fraction of their number favor an :
nexation. et
From this it may be reasonably inferred
that 1.-THE predominant and paramount
influence of the United States" which,
| as you have remarked, HAS been the one
essential feature of the status quo through
three quarters of century, in which the
constitution and government of Hawaii
and the commerce of the islands with the
world have undergone notable changes, ;
furnishes on the one hand the s1amplest
guarantee against anything iniihical to
either the United States or Hawaii, while
on the other hand it obviates the necessity
of a change in existing conditions which
will injuriously affect the interests of
others.
Inc DOIlCY Ol COlOlIldl pdIolOA 6blAOuS
European countries was especially active
in the Pacific during the decade ending
1892. and as a result 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 remaining island groups.
But the absorption by the United States
Of such an important part Of the remain
ing unappropriated region as Hawaii
would doubtless be the signal for the re-
vival of dormant territorial ambition in
the Pacific, and the last vestige of native
autonomy would disappear. And 1T is not
too much to apprehend that partial
distribution of colonial possessions among
the various western powers might also
| follow.
1t can easily be seen how this would
affect the interests of Japanese subjects
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 preva-
lence of this spirit of colonial absorption
| that one of your honorable predecessors
was led to declare to the German govern
| ment that your government attached
great importance to "The maintenance of
| the rights to which the United States has
| become entitled in the few remaining
regions now under independent and
| autonmous native governments in the
Pacific Ocean,
| The Justice of that declaration cannot
| be questioned. and the Imperial govern
ment, entertaining similar views, could
| not behold with Indifference changes in
the status of those governments that
1 til, ~ Nhaxy
| have no intention of questioning the
actual existing situation in either Pacific
and certainly have no desire to in any
wise disturb it, but their position in that
part of the world renders it impossible for
them to view with unconcern and in a
spirit Of acquiescence the consequence
which would probably follow the ex-
tinction of Hawaiian sovereignty.
| The Imperial government recognizes it
as we'll established principle of inter
national law that the completion of an
nexation would render the treaties and
conventions at present existing between
| Japan and Hawaii ayoidable, either at
| the option of Japan or the United Sta ties,
but they cannot anticipate without appre-
| hension the consequences, whether direct
or indirect, which would follow the prac-
| teal contamination of the theory that
annexation, ipso facto means the imme-
diate termination of these treaties and
conventions and the consequent cessation
for the future of the privilege granted
| Hereunder.
The justice or expediency of extending
to Hawaii the treaty of 1858, at present
subsisting between Japan and the United
States is quite another question. Such
extension might be inferred from the
language of the second paragraph of
article three of the proposed treaty OF an
nexation. which also provides for the ex-
tinction of Hawaii's existing treaties; but
the treaty of 1858 is wholly non reciprocal,
and the imperial government Is not pre-
pared to admit that it could be SO ex-
tended without it's consent.
Under these circumstances only the
most cursory review Of the actual situa-
ton is required to show the disadvantage
Gus position in which Japan would be
placed by the abrupt termination of her