The Independent. [volume] (Honolulu, H.I.) 1895-1905, 1897-09-04
Japan's Protest Against Hawaiian
Annexation.
Public Opinion.l


Chinese war, and it is Russia again,
with her practical suzerainty over
China and her Siberian military
railway now almost completed, that
threatens Japan with destruction.
In fact, number of able Japanese
statesmen are OF opinion that some
day, neat or distant, Japan will have
to fight for self-preservation against
the overpowering Slavs II Japan
had no reason to regard this coun-
try as her best friend-and she has
many reasons--if she could not see
that she can discuss the questions
in Hawaii that are vexing her on
more satisfactory terms with this
Government than with the inde-
pendent Republic of Hawaii, she
would still hesitate to turn her back
to her greatest enemy in order to
pursue an absurd feud against the
American Government. Japan has
"troubles of her own" in Asia. She
is not likely to jeopardize her national
existence by engaging in a war for
the possession of Hawaii. If the
opponents OF annexation have no
stronger weapon at their command
than fear OF the Americans Of the
ORIENT" they might as we'll abandon
the field Chicago Times Herald (Ind)
Japau's protest against the annex
alton OF the Hawaiian Islands ex-
poses and brings to the front of the
discussion the kernel Of the Hawai-
ian trouble-the Asiatic question.
There are now in Hawaii nearly
$4,000 Asiatics. Almost one half of
the population is Asiatic, equally
divided between China and Japan.
The dispute of the Hawaiian Gov
eminent with Japan before the an
nexation treaty was signed arose
over the matter Of Japanese immi-
grafton. Under the free conditions
of immigration which have hereto
fore existed the hordes of Asia
would in few years overwhelm
both the natives and the white for
eigners. In large measure the heavy
immigration of Asiatics has been
due to the American sugar exploiters
who wanted the benefit of cheap
coolie labour, Now the question is
how to stop the Asiatic immigration
and the men in control of the Gov
eminent can see no easier way than
to turn the islands over to the
United States and secure the bene-
fit Of our laws against Asiatic immi-
grafton. Japan's protest is said to
be practically in the form of an ulti-
matum, and it is clear that annex
alton will not be accomplished with
out friction and possibly a struggle
with the new military leaders OF the
Orient. y If, on the other
hand, we declare, as the friendly
protector OF weak neighbouring
nation in whose destiny we are
deeply interested, that Hawaii shall
have the right to make her own
laws and must be free from inter-
ference or oppression from other
nations, we would have as good
chance to accomplish without war
the end sought, we would escape
the odious charge Of conspiracy and
conquest, and would have the moral
support OF all the nations interested
except China and Japan, and this
support would have cooling effect
on Japan's war fever. European
nations are as DESTROYS of restrain
ing Asiatic power and influence
within their present limits as we
are. The United States would have
strong ground in protesting against
the overrunning of Hawaii by Asia.
tics and their subsequent control OF
of the islands.--St. Louis Republic
bryan De0,.)
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