The Breckenridge news. (Cloverport, Ky.) 1876-1955, 1897-06-30
JAPAN OBJECTS
To the Annexation of Hawaii by
the United States.
THEY CLAIM THEIR RIGHTS
We're Not Respected and that They
We're Kept In the Dark as Re-
CARDS the Recent
TRANSACTIONS WITH HAWAII

WASHINGTON, June 2S.-The Japa-
nese position on the annexation of Ha-
waii by the United States has been
made known from very high source
The japanese base their opposition to
annexation almost entirely upon the
ground that it is an interference with
the treaty rights Of Japan, and COM
plain especially that the treaty was ne
gotiated in the face of the most friendly
proteststions 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 Of the Japanese le-
CATION in Washington;
The japanese insist, as on all former
occasions, that the japanese govern
ment has not now and never has had
any designs against Hawaii. This they
consider most important point be-
cause of the talk about colonization,
which they say has apparently had so
much weight in the discussion Of the
question.
They contend that the japanese first
went to Hawaii in response to the de-
mand for labor in the island under pro-
visions of treaty concluded in 1886 at
the solicitation of the Hawaiian govern
ment. They call attention to the fact
that the japanese government have Ill
ways been averse to having their people
go abroad as COOLIES" as tho Chinese
do and that the government has always
striven to prevent sucn immigration.
As O consequence the Hawaiian treaty
was so worded as to prevent even the
suspicion of anything like eoolio labor.
The interests of all parties were, they
say, protected. and as consequence
the Hawaiian planters secured a high
class of agricultural labor upon fair
terms and under circumstances that did
not give the least occasion for the dis.
like and opprobrium which generally
attach to contract labor. This they say
worked admirably for years and until
the planters became FESTIVE under the
conditions imposed by the treaty
thinking, the japanese hold. that they
could secure labor more cheaply with
the restrictions removed.
At the same time the question of an
nexation came up and the adherents of
union with the United States Thought
1t would be necessary to make changes
in the method Of obtaining the labor
absolutely necessary to the prosperity
OF the sugar industry Of the islands.
This was, they claim, the origin of the
so-called voluntary" system OF immi-
grafton to Hawaii.
The development of this situation led
to the framing by the japanese govern
ment of its emigration law. This law
is very strict in prohibiting the exporta-
ton Of japanese labor except where en-
ployment is assured, and it Is claimed
that under its provisions it would be
impossible to flood the Hawaiian islands
as has been asserted to be the Japanese
purpose without the connivance of the
Japanese authorities. This, they hold.
could not be secured i'll view of the pol.
ICY of Japan against the expectation of
coolie labor, and in view of the repeated
denials of Japan of any designs upon
Hawaii
They assert that Hawaii took no
steps to restrict immigration from ia
pan until last February, when a sudden
and surprising demand was made upon
Japan to this end This, they claim.
is evidence sufficient that there was no
flooding of the island. They regarded
this demand from the island govern
ment as oapricious and concluded that
IL was made for the purpose of increas-
ing the agitation in the interest of an
speedy action In that direction. To the
same end they consider the cry of dan
ger from Hawaii on account of Japa.
nese aggression to 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 con-
troversy with Hawaii to the United
States and they hold that the fact that
such explanation has been made
should be accepted as proof positive
that Japan has no Interior designs upon
the islands.
In view Of this explanation on their
part to the United States, they complain
of the suddenness of the announcement
OF the Hawaiian treaty Of annexation
and say that the treaty was consumated
when they had reason from official as
surances for believing that no hasty
action in that direction was contem'
plated.
They consider that many subjects Of
Japan are entitled TO damages on ac-
count of Hawaii's summary refusal TO
permit them 10 land and that they are
deprived of their remedy by the con-
summation of the treaty. On this ac-
count they are inclined to regard the
action as unjust and arbitrary.
They also hold that Japan has rights
under treaties with Hawaii. other than
those detailed, including reciprocal inn
munities which they fear may not be
renewed IL Hawaii becomes a part Of
the United States. The present pur-
pose, they hold appears to DO 20 teflni.
nate these rights without privilege Of
appeal and against this proceeding they
protest. They hold that while Japan
has no purpose Of asserting any author
ity in Hawaii, the japanese government
has the right to demonstrate in the in
terest of her citizens and 70 demand
that her legitimate rights be respected.