Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-07-06

Talk With Japnn's Premier.
Though written before the Senate de-
cided not to place tax tea and the
Hawaiian annexation treaty was nego-
tiated. the letter published today from an
editorial correspondent of The Star at Tokyo
containing an interview with Count Okuma,
Japan's minister of foreign affairs, is of ex-
ceptionaI value. Indeed in some respects
1t is the more interesting as bearing upon
the present stage of the relations of the
United States and Japan than though IL
had been prepared with full acquaintance
with the present facts. 1t shows that
Count Okuma is a statesman of capacity
and discretion and that he Possesses
broad grasp of interns tional affairs 1t in
cicates. however. that certain elements
exist today in the Japanese body polite
to create two opposing factors. the antas-
onism between which must enter into all
calculations with regard TO the island en-
pire. These are the government the
hand and the people at large on the
other. the latter radical and eager for ae-
compIishments that the former does not
deem wise or expedent TO attempt now.
Thus in the matter of Hawaii it would
appear from this interview that while the
government Is probably sincere in its gea-
eral statement that 1t does not contemplate
the acquisition of that country. there is
still strong sentiment abroad among the
people that points TO such a course. Yet
the prime minister in his talk was frank
enough to admit that Japan would deplore
the annexation of Hawaii by the United
States. and thus lie casts discredit upon the
representations that had been made pre-
yiously by japanese agents that their
government is Indifferent TO the future in
this affair The protest already presented
h. the Japanese minister mere serves to
the same end. Other straws have unfail-
ingiy indicated the direction of the wind
1t is interesting to note in the course of
the interview reference to the status
quo" in Hawaii something that should
be preserved. Count Okuma admits. how
ever. that the islands are more strictly
within the range of American jurisdiction
and that the ArneriC an interests there are
Practically dominant Yet nobody in au-
thority in Washington. Honolulu or Tokyo
has at any time gone SO far as has Count
Okuma in putting a high appraisement
upon Hawaii from the japanese point of
v-ew.
As to the controversy with Hawaii Count
Okunla exhibits more conciliatcry tore
than that which was adopted by the jap
ansse minister in Honolulu in his dealings
with the Hawaiian government. He admits
the possibility of arbitration of the differ
eEoes. thus fatty contral:cting the min
lister, who, in newspaper statement,
which was partly reproduced in one of
'.Kamchaneha's letters to The Star, as
serted that the japanese honor had been
touched by the affair. and that arbitration
far as to assert that the Only resort
of Japan in case of u disagreement was to
force. Count Okuma, in his interview. De
lieves an agreement possible. but says that
in the event of a deadlock resort TO arbi-
trat:on may be the alternative" Thus it IS
evident that the home government does not
fully sustain the minister at Honolulu.
whose position throughout the controversy
has been beIIcose. 1t is also plain that
even in Japan there is a notion that
Hawai-. may be right in her contention as
to the Interpretation of the immigration
treaty. Count Okuna expresses some sur
prise that whereas the Hawaiians We're
alarmed Al the advent of the Chinese some
years ago they do not appear to be so now,
but that they are more fearful of Japanese
domination. The prime minister has over
cooked the fact that since the appeal for
Japanese immigration and the protest
against Chinese incoming were made
great change has taken place in the poit-
Zeal affairs of Hawaii. and that the conji-
1iCns existing at the time the controversy
arose were quite different from those that
surrounded the labor market in Hawaii
eleven years ago. when the immigration
arrangement with Japan was brought
about.
The recent action of the Senate with
reference to the tariff discounts a portion
Of the interview on the trade relations of
Japan and the United States, yet this talk
is valuable. showing how American com
r.erce can be quicksned By the encoura Ese-s
neut of enterprise artong the consular
Iepres natives. II has long been felt that
this country suffers in contrast with those
OF Eurore IN the matter of consular AID
diplomatic representation because of the
method of selecting these officials from
TIE ranks Of the dominant political party.
Count Of;uma's words contain a valuable
moral that might We'll he taken to heart
by students Of government here and those
who seek TO stimulate the trade of the ma
ton. Incidentally much mater appears m
the course of the letter that indicates some
of the difficulties that now surround
Japan. especially in view Of her recently
created ambitions toward expansion.