Kansas City journal. [volume] (Kansas City, Mo.) 1897-1928, 1897-06-28
HER POSITION on HAWAIIAN ANNEX
.t- ALTON MADE KNOWN.
CLAIMS SOME TREATY RIGHTS.
SAYS SHE HAS NEVER HAD ANY DE-
SIGNS AGAINST HAWAII.
Japanese Side of the Immigration
Controversy Annexation Held
to Have Been Arranged Sud-
denly and Without No
tice to MikadO.

Washington June 27.-The japanese po-
sition on the annexation of Hawaii by the
United States has been made known from
a very high source. The japanese base
their opposition to annexation almost en-
t.rely upon the ground that it is an inter-
ference with the treaty rights of Japan,
and complain especially that the treaty
was negotiated in the face of the most
friendly protestations from Japan and at
time when the japanese authorities had
been led TO believe that no such treaty
would be undertaken. The following may
be accepted as an absolutely accurate out
line of the position CT the japanese legation
in Washington:
The Japanese insist, as on all former oc-
casicns, that the japanese government has
not now, and never has had, any designs
against Hawaii. This they consider a most
important point because of the talk about
colonization, which they say has apparent
ly had so much weight in the discussion Of
the question.
They contend that the japanese first
went to Hawaii in response to the demand
for labor in the island under provisions of
a treaty concluded in 1856, at the solicita-
tions of the Hawaiian government. They
call attention to the fact that the Japan
ese government has always been averse to
having their people go abroad as coolies"
as the Chinese do, and that the govern
immigration. AS a consequence, the Ha>
wailan treaty was so worded as to prevent
even the suspicion Of anything like coolie
labor. The interests of all parJIes were,
they say, protected, and as consequence
the Hawaiian planters secured high class
of agricultural labor upon fair terms ana
under circumstances that did not give the
least occasion for the dislike and opprobrium
This treaty, they say, worked admirably
for years and until the planters became
restive under the conditions imposed by the
treaty, thinking, the japanese sald, that
they could secure labor more cheapy with
the restrictions removed.
At the same time the question OF anneXa-
ton came up and the adherentS Of union
with the United States thought It would
be necessary TO make the change IN the
method Of obtaining the labor which was
the sugar industry of the islands. This
was. they claim, the origin Of the so-called
voluntary system Of immigration TO Ha-
wall.
The development of this situation led to
the framing by the japanese government of
its immigration law. This law is very strict
in prohibiting the expectation of japanese
labor except where employment is assured,
and ii is claimed that under its provisions
II would be impossible to flood the Hawaii
an islands, as has been asserted TO be the
Japanese purpose, without the conuivance
of the japanese authorities. This, they
hold, could not be secured, In view OF the
policy. of Japan against the exportation Of
coolie labor and in view of the repeated de-
malls of Japan of any designs upon Hawaii.
They assert that Hawaii took no steps 10
restrict immigration from Japan until Feb
ruary, when a sudden and surprising de-
mand was made upon Japan to This end.
This, they claim, is evidence sufficient that
there was no flooding of the island. They
regarded the demand from the island gov
ernment as capricious, and concluded that
II was made for the purpose of increasing
the agitation in the interest of annexation
and 20 furnish pretext for speedy action
in that direction. To the same end they
account of Japanese aggression 10 have
been raised. They hoot the idea that this
fear had any foundation in fact. and say
that the danger existed Only in the minds
of the jealous advocates of annexation.
They assert that Japan has freely eX-
planned every step taken in this controver-
sy with Hawaii 10 the United States, and
they hold that the fact that such explana-
ton has been made should be accepted as
proof positive that Japan has no Interior
designs upon the islands. IN view of this
States they complain OF the suddenness of
the announcement OF the Hawaiian treaty
of annexation, and say that the treaty
was consummated when they had reason
from official assurances for believing that
no hasty action in that direction was con-
templated.
They consider that many subjects of jap
an are entitled to damages on account of
Hawaiis summary refusal to permit them
to land, and that they are deprived of their
remedy by the consummation OF this treaty.
On this account, they are inclined to de-
clare the action as unjust and arbitrary.
They also hold that Japan has rights un-
der treaties with Hawaii, other than these |
detailed, including reciprocal immunities,
which they fear may not be renewed If |
Hawaii becomes part of the United |
States. The present purpose. they hold, |
appears TO be to terminate these rights |
without privilege Of appeal, and against |
this proceeding they protest. They hold |
that while Japan has no purpose of assert |
Ing any authority in Hawaii, the Japanese |
has the right 10 demonstrate |
in the interest of her citizens and TO de- |
mand that their legitimate rights be re- |
SDected.